Ottoman Reforms

In the course of the 19^th century the decline of traditional structures within the Ottoman Empire became more than manifest. At the same time, the growth of national consciousness among ethnic groups living together in the multi-ethnic Ottoman state posed a major threat to unity and integrity.

In an attempt to forestall the impending breakup of the empire, the Ottoman authorities instigated political and economic changes known as the Tanzimat reforms. Thus in 1826 the Janissary corps was disbanded; in 1839 the Hatti Serif (imperial decree) declared the equality of all citizens before the law and in politics, regardless of religion; on 18^th February 1856 a further decree, named the Hatti Humayun, granted local-level autonomy to all religious communities; and 1858 saw the abolition of peasant statutory labour. On the economic front, several state monopolies were abolished and trade grew, especially with regard to imports.