Turks and Trade

03/06/2024

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12th Century Trade Ways

Why the Turks were negatively selected by their own empire

The idea of the Ottomans negatively selecting Turks within their own empire isn’t entirely accurate. Here’s a breakdown:

The Ottomans weren’t purely Turkish: The empire incorporated many ethnicities, with Turks being the dominant group.

Meritocracy over Ethnicity: While being Turkish might offer some advantages, the Ottomans often relied on a meritocratic system. People of talent and ability, regardless of ethnicity, could rise through the ranks. This included non-Turks like Albanians, Greeks, and Armenians holding high positions.
Devşirme System: There was a system called Devşirme, which recruited young Christian boys from conquered lands. These boys were converted to Islam and trained for military and administrative positions. This could be seen as a disadvantage for some Turkish families, but it also ensured loyalty and fresh perspectives in the ruling class.

Possible Reasons for Misconception:

Later Decline: In the later Ottoman period, with decline and corruption setting in, there might have been a shift towards prioritizing those close to the Sultan, regardless of ethnicity. This could be misinterpreted as favoring a specific group.
Nationalist Narratives: Modern national narratives in the region might emphasize ethnic differences to create a sense of identity. This could lead to an oversimplification of the Ottoman past.

Further Exploration:

If you’re interested in learning more, you can explore these topics:

The Ottoman Millet System: This system defined the legal and social status of different religious groups within the empire.
The Devşirme System: Understanding how this system functioned can clarify the role of ethnicity in the Ottoman power structure.
The Later Ottoman Decline: Investigating the factors contributing to the decline might shed light on potential changes in the empire’s treatment of different groups.

Why though non muslims were selected for trade Turks were neglected and discouraged

There isn’t clear evidence that the Ottomans actively discouraged Turks from trade. Here’s why the assumption might be off:

Turks and Trade: Historically, many Turks were involved in trade. Early Ottoman success relied heavily on control of trade routes. While the ruling class might have been more focused on administration and military, there were definitely Turkish merchants.
Non-Muslims and Trade Networks: Several factors might explain the prominence of non-Muslims in specific trade networks:
Established Networks: Some non-Muslim communities, like Armenians and Jews, had well-established trade networks even before the Ottomans. The Ottomans might have leveraged these existing networks for their own benefit.
Specialization: Certain communities might have developed specific skills or knowledge valuable in trade. For example, Armenian merchants were known for their expertise in long-distance trade.
Language Skills: Non-Muslim communities sometimes spoke multiple languages, facilitating communication across different regions.

The Ottomans and Trade:

Support for Merchants: The Ottomans generally encouraged trade through a system of guilds and tax breaks for merchants.
Focus on Control: The Ottomans likely prioritized controlling key trade routes and levied taxes on goods, benefiting the empire regardless of the merchants’ ethnicity.
Further Considerations:
Limited Sources: Information about the everyday lives of people, especially ordinary Turks, might be less readily available compared to ruling elites. This could create a skewed picture.
Regional Variations: The Ottoman Empire was vast, and trade practices might have differed depending on location.

Overall:

While non-Muslims might have been prominent in certain trade sectors, it’s unlikely the Ottomans actively discouraged Turks from participating. The reasons for non-Muslim prominence are more likely due to pre-existing networks, specialized skills, and language advantages.

Why the Turks were negatively selected by their own empire for trade activities

There’s a misconception that the Ottoman Empire actively discouraged Turks from trade. Here’s why that view might be inaccurate:

Turks and Trade:

Historically, many Turks were involved in trade. The Ottomans’ early success relied heavily on controlling trade routes. While the ruling class might have focused more on administration and military, there were definitely Turkish merchants.

Non-Muslims in Trade Networks:

Several factors likely explain the prominence of non-Muslims in specific trade networks:

Established Networks: Some non-Muslim communities, like Armenians and Jews, had well-established trade networks even before the Ottomans. The Ottomans might have leveraged these existing networks for their own benefit.
Specialization: Certain communities might have developed specific skills or knowledge valuable in trade. For example, Armenian merchants were known for their expertise in long-distance trade.
Language Skills: Non-Muslim communities sometimes spoke multiple languages, facilitating communication across different regions.

The Ottomans and Trade:

Support for Merchants: The Ottomans generally encouraged trade through a system of guilds and tax breaks for merchants, regardless of religion.
Focus on Control: The Ottomans likely prioritized controlling key trade routes and levied taxes on goods, benefiting the empire regardless of the merchants’ ethnicity.
Possible Reasons for Misunderstanding:
Sources: Information about everyday lives of people, especially ordinary Turks, might be less readily available compared to ruling elites. This could create a skewed picture.
Regional Variations: The Ottoman Empire was vast, and trade practices might have differed depending on location.

Overall:

While non-Muslims might have been prominent in certain trade sectors, it’s unlikely the Ottomans actively discouraged Turks from participating. The reasons for non-Muslim prominence are more likely due to pre-existing networks, specialized skills, and language advantages.

Did Ottoman empire prefer Turks for military services instead of trade activities

The Ottoman Empire did tend to favor Turks for military service, but it’s not quite as simple as them being discouraged from trade. Here’s a breakdown:

Military Focus:

Early Ottomans: The Ottomans were a warrior society with a strong military tradition. Turks, being the dominant group, were seen as a natural fit for military service. This helped maintain control over a vast empire.
Timar System: The Timar system rewarded military service with land grants. This further incentivized Turks to pursue military careers.

Trade and the Ottomans:

Not Discouraged: There’s no evidence the Ottomans actively discouraged Turks from trade. Many Turks participated in commerce throughout the empire’s history.
Focus on Control: The Ottomans likely prioritized controlling trade routes and taxing goods, benefiting the empire regardless of the merchants’ ethnicity.

Possible Reasons for Non-Turkish Prominence in Trade:

Established Networks: Some non-Muslim communities, like Armenians and Jews, had well-established trade networks even before the Ottomans. The Ottomans might have leveraged these existing networks for their own benefit.
Specialization: Certain communities might have developed specific skills or knowledge valuable in trade. For example, Armenian merchants were known for their expertise in long-distance trade.
Language Skills: Non-Muslim communities sometimes spoke multiple languages, facilitating communication across different regions.

Overall:

While the Ottomans favored Turks for military service due to their cultural emphasis on warfare, they didn’t actively discourage Turks from trade. The prominence of non-Muslims in certain trade sectors was likely due to pre-existing networks, specialized skills, and language advantages.