The Ottoman Caliphate was abolished by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

The Ottoman Empire, also called the Turkish Empire, was an empire that controlled most of the world’s important regions, extending from Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 14^th century to the early 20^th century, and also controlled Central Europe in the 16th-18^th centuries.

The Ottoman Empire was established by Osman 1 when he conquered some of Anatolia in 1299 CE. Later on, much of Anatolia was further conquered by his successors, who transformed the small kingdom into a transcontinental empire. The Byzantine Empire, which once ruled the region, was abolished by Muslims following the conquest of Constantinople, and the Ottomans gained control over most of the Mediterranean, making the Ottoman Empire the central hub of interaction between the Middle East and Europe.

So, the Ottoman Empire existed as a great power from 1517 until 1924, when it was abolished by Mustafa Kamal Atatürk. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was the field marshal and statesman of the Ottoman Empire. He was the founder of the Turkish Republic in 1923 and the first president as well. He died in 1938.

The Caliph Style assumed by Ottoman Rulers

The Ottoman rulers first assumed caliph style in the 14^th century, but at that time, the new caliphate system didn’t cross the borders. Later in 1517, when Sultan Salim 1 conquered Egypt, leading to the abolition of the Abbasid caliphate and the taking of control over Makkah, Madina, and other Islamic countries, the new caliphate system was introduced in Islam, which was widely accepted by Muslims. Thus, the strength of Muslims of the Ottoman Empire rose, and throughout their reign, Muslims ruled the world.

In the 18th and 19^th centuries, during the reign of Abdul Hamid II, Muslim forces weakened significantly, posing a major threat to the caliphate system. Abdul Hamid II sought to strengthen the empire through a Pan-Islamic foreign policy. But due to domestic politics, the empire weakened, leading to the end of Abdil Hamid II's rule and the Young Turk Revolution in 1908.

After Abdul Hamid II, Sultan Mehmet V came to power, who proclaimed jihad against the Entente, but due to domestic problems and already weakened Ottoman Empire, and the Great Arab Revolt, the empire lost all control over the Arab territories in World War 1. After a significant loss of power and control, the last Ottoman ruler, Abdulmecid II, ruled until 3^rd March 1924, following Mustafa Kamal Atatürk’s abolition of the Ottoman Empire, which was once the most powerful empire in the world.

The Dissolution of the Ottoman Empire

The dissolution of the Ottoman Empire started in 1908, in the second constitutional era, which was a moment of hope and promise established with the Young Turk Resolution. The Young Turk Resolution brought multi-party politics to the electoral law, both under the Ottoman Parliament. This constitution offered Muslims a hope of strength and power with a modern touch. It also promised to serve as a base for the dissolution of the problems faced by Muslims, but instead, it led to the dissolution of the whole empire.

The Young Turks, who had gone underground under the constitutional demands, made their own parties such as the ‘’Committee of Union and Progress’’ and ‘’ Freedom and Accord Party’’. Along with these, many other parties were also made. As the empire was already facing many troubles, World War 1 started in 1912.

World War 1

The Ottoman Empire entered World War 1 alongside the Central Powers. The participation of the Ottoman Empire began with the Ottoman attack on the Black Sea coast on 29^th October 1914. After this attack, the Russians, along with their companions from the British Empire and France, started a war against the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans achieved victories in the first two years of the war against the British army. But then the tide turned against the Ottomans in the Middle East. During the war, the Russians managed to gain control over most of Anatolia, which was under Ottoman rule.

1915

In 1915, the Armenian genocide started during World War 1, leading to the deaths of millions of Armenians. The genocide took place in two phases. First, the killing of young, able men, and then the killing of women, children, and elderly people on long walks in the desert. Also, in 1915, the Battle of Gallipoli was led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who prevented the capture of Constantinople through his leadership.

1916

In 1916, the Arab revolt took place with British support. But later, this revolt laid the groundwork for the downfall of the Ottoman Empire. The British, along with France, took control of most of the regions that were once under Ottoman rule. No Arab territories were left with power.

1919

In 1919, the Khilafat Movement took place in India, a movement against British policies. The khilafat activist sought to salvage the Ottoman caliph as a uniting symbol in India. The movement served well for both the Muslims of India as well as the Ottoman Empire.

1922

In 1922, Mehmet V was removed from the throne as sultan of the Ottoman Empire. After him, his cousin took his place as the last caliph, Abdulmecid II of the Ottoman Empire, till 1924. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk played a crucial role in the abolishment of the sultanate. He led the National Turkish Movement in 1922, which served as the basis for the abolition of the sultanate.

1923

In 1923, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk established the Republic of Turkey and became president himself. As the president of a country, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk introduced reforms across political, economic, and cultural spheres to build a modern, well-civilized nation. He then generated a form for the abolition of the Sultanate in 1924. That’s how Mustafa Kemal Atatürk ended the Caliphate system and the Ottoman Empire.

Conclusion

The Ottoman Empire, founded by Osman 1 after his successful attempt to conquer Anatolia, emerged in the 14th century. His successors further expanded the control, making a small kingdom into a powerful empire. The Muslims were in power, conquering and ruling most Arab regions, including Makkah, Madina, Jerusalem, and the Northeast.

The Ottoman Empire served as a main route for contact between different parts of the Middle East and north northeast. For many centuries, Muslims ruled much of the world. The dissolution of the Ottoman Empire began in 1908, initially with the Young Turk Revolution, followed by World War I, the Constitution, and Mustafa Kemal's abolition of the Sultanate.

The Ottoman rule lasted over 100 years, but it weakened over time due to political and domestic issues. The empire continued to weaken under poor leadership until World War 1, when the British and French took control of most of the regions under Ottoman rule. Many of the Arab areas were also under British control. Then, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk came to power and implemented reforms to improve Turkey's political, economic, and financial situation, abolishing the Ottoman Empire altogether, exiling Sultan Mehmed V in 1922 and Abdulmecid II in 1923, and establishing the Turkish Republic. He did so to make Turkey modern and progressive so that the Muslims could keep up with the modern world.

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