This paper wants to explore the relation between the Ottoman Empire and Orientalism. In doing so, the focus is on, firstly, what the Ottoman empire and particularly its European presence reveal about Orientalism. Although the Ottomans ruled in Europe, they were never regarded as European. The presence of a Muslim European power who was at times on equal terms with counterparts on the European continent was occluded for the sake of a homogenous Western identity. Secondly, this paper will have a closer look into the Ottomans interaction with Orientalism. In order to do that, the Ottoman self-representation at the Chicago World’s Fair 1893 will be assessed. World Fair’s throughout the 19th century are performative events on a global scale where power relations are expressed and negotiated on the basis of prevalent discourses. Therefore, the Ottomans’ very well documented participation at the fair will help to elucidate and unearth how Orientalism is not limited to the ‘archival vacuum’ and asymmetric power dynamics are maintained.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Empire that Fell between the Cracks
- 3. Ottoman Reform and New Forms of Rule
- 4. World's Fairs as Microcosm of the World
- 5. Ottoman participation at the Chicago World's Fair 1893
- 5.1 The Chicago World's Fair 1893
- 5.2 Ottoman self-representation at the fair
- 6. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper explores the relationship between the Ottoman Empire and Orientalism, focusing on what the Empire's European presence reveals about Orientalism and its interaction with it. The paper uses the Ottoman Empire's participation in the 1893 Chicago World's Fair as a case study to analyze Ottoman self-representation and its engagement with prevailing Orientalist discourse.
- The Ottoman Empire's unique position as a Muslim power in Europe and its implications for Orientalist discourse.
- The impact of Ottoman reforms on self-perception and the adoption of Western notions of governance.
- The use of World's Fairs as platforms for negotiating power relations and expressing national identities.
- Ottoman strategies for self-representation and challenging Orientalist stereotypes at the Chicago World's Fair.
- The limitations of Orientalist discourse in understanding the complexity of the Ottoman Empire.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the paper's central argument: the Ottoman Empire's complex relationship with Orientalism, explored through its unique position as a European Muslim power and its self-representation at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. It highlights Edward Said's work on Orientalism, noting its limited engagement with the Ottoman experience. The chapter emphasizes the need to understand how the Ottomans both experienced and responded to Orientalist representations, and how their engagement with Western models of governance influenced their self-perception. The Chicago World's Fair is presented as a crucial lens through which to examine these dynamics, as a global stage where power relations were negotiated and identities performed.
2. The Empire that Fell between the Cracks: This chapter analyzes the Ottoman Empire's unique geopolitical position, highlighting its ambiguous status within European discourse. The Ottomans, as a major European power for centuries, were simultaneously excluded from a homogenous European identity due to their Muslim faith. The chapter explores how this “in-between” status resulted in an incomplete and often contradictory representation within Western historical narratives and scholarship. The resulting categorization difficulties are connected to Orientalist discourse which often portrays the Ottomans in an Orientalist fashion, despite the Ottomans being a European power. The chapter underscores how this discursive exclusion served to reinforce a specific Western identity constructed in contrast to the "othered" Ottoman Empire.
Keywords
Ottoman Empire, Orientalism, Chicago World's Fair 1893, Self-representation, Westernization, Colonialism, Power Relations, Identity, Geopolitics, Discourse.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper explores the complex relationship between the Ottoman Empire and Orientalism. It uses the Ottoman Empire's participation in the 1893 Chicago World's Fair as a case study to analyze how the Ottomans represented themselves and engaged with prevailing Orientalist discourse.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the Ottoman Empire's unique position as a Muslim power in Europe, the impact of Ottoman reforms on self-perception, the use of World's Fairs as platforms for negotiating power relations and expressing national identities, Ottoman strategies for self-representation, and the limitations of Orientalist discourse in understanding the Ottoman Empire's complexity.
What is the significance of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair in this study?
The Chicago World's Fair serves as a crucial case study. It was a global stage where power relations were negotiated and national identities were performed. The Ottoman Empire's participation at the fair provides a valuable lens through which to examine the interaction between the Empire and Orientalist discourse.
How does the paper address Edward Said's work on Orientalism?
The paper acknowledges Edward Said's influential work on Orientalism but notes its limited engagement with the Ottoman experience. The paper aims to expand upon Said's work by examining how the Ottomans experienced and responded to Orientalist representations.
What is the Ottoman Empire's unique geopolitical position discussed in the paper?
The paper highlights the Ottoman Empire's ambiguous status in European discourse. As a major European power for centuries, it was simultaneously excluded from a homogenous European identity due to its Muslim faith. This "in-between" status led to incomplete and contradictory representations in Western narratives.
What are the chapter summaries provided in the preview?
The preview includes summaries for each chapter. Chapter 1 introduces the central argument and the use of the Chicago World's Fair as a case study. Chapter 2 analyzes the Ottoman Empire's unique geopolitical position and its ambiguous representation within European discourse. Further chapters cover Ottoman reforms, the Chicago World's Fair itself, Ottoman participation and self-representation at the Fair, and finally, a conclusion.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include Ottoman Empire, Orientalism, Chicago World's Fair 1893, Self-representation, Westernization, Colonialism, Power Relations, Identity, Geopolitics, and Discourse.
What is the overall objective of this research?
The objective is to provide a nuanced understanding of the Ottoman Empire's relationship with Orientalism, moving beyond simplistic representations and exploring the complexities of the Empire's self-perception and its engagement with Western powers.
- Quote paper
- Melih Kemerli (Author), 2023, The Ottoman Empire, Orientalism and the Quest of Self-Representation at the Chicago World’s Fair 1893, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1361845
