"The Quest to being European"

 

19^th Century Empire in Europe was a series of shifts, new empires came about, others were revamped, and colonial imperialism was the driving force behind trade and economics for the more powerful empires. There was a new desire amongst all in the region to be “European”. Educated elites across Romania, Habsburg, and the Ottoman empires all longed to be classified as “European” and took the necessary measures to accomplish this during the 19^th century. What exactly did becoming European mean for these three empires; each made significant modifications in their political, economic, and military in order to be identified as European empires.

            The Ottomans had a large amount of reform initiatives; they combined these initiatives with weakening restrictions to create a more republican society. Jannissaries even began to believe that it was their duty to interfere if the sultan was out of hand or abusing his power in anyway. For the Ottomans who for centuries had centered their society around the sultan and his reign this was a large ordeal. It meant that the Sultan no longer had complete and absolute control of the empire. Politically they offered all male subjects citizenship and equality, which was not unexpected they had always been fairly liberal to their subjects. Economically they began to colonize in many of the same area as Britain and other large world players. There trade increased ten-fold from 1820-1914.

            Russian military reform meant extending the draft to all males doing their best to ensure all served on behalf f the empire. Since all were required to serve in the military it was difficult to ensure loyalty from the leaders. Ambitious Generals formed strong ties with the emperor to assure him that they pose no threat. Politically, Russia was virtually forced to grant their subjects civil rights in 1906 but they did not leave behind the class divisions until 1917. They also grew economically; this growth was steady and began in the 1980s.

            Habsburg developed an army that included Jews in 1848; they were multinational with a large group of intellectuals. Politically they were very similar to the Ottomans they also abolished serfdom as well. They like the other two nations also eventually developed a parliament and began to elect officials, the true European way. Each of the empires made drastic changes in order to be affiliated with the European name.