What is the Orient Matter, When and Where Was It First Used?

The entry of Turks into Anatolia, a special process that we are still celebrating even today, is a process in which uneasiness begins for Europeans. Christian Europe was terrified when the Turks, who were first pagan and then Muslim, conquered the world step by step, and what they feared came to pass. Although it was first used for the Ottoman Empire The concept of the oriental issue is a definition of the relentless struggle between the Turks and Europe.

The oriental issue has always been a priority for Europeans, because the Turks, who were stronger than them even though they were not, were seen as the beginning of the end for the Christian Europeans, as they were scrutinizing Anatolia, Africa and Europe. Bride what is the orient issue, when and where was it used for the first time Let’s take a journey through the dusty pages of history.

What is the orient issue?

Orient issue, European states All domestic and foreign policies of the Ottoman Empire It is a concept they use to describe when talking to each other. Turkish – Russian problems, Christians living in the Ottoman Empire, European lands dominated by the Ottomans, North African lands dominated by the Ottomans and the policies implemented on all these; It has been referred to as an oriental issue in official and unofficial talks by Europeans.

When and where was the oriental issue first used?

Even if Turks are one of the oldest problems of Europeans, the concept of oriental issue It was used for the first time at the Congress of Vienna in 1815. In this congress on the map of Europe, Russian Tsar Alexander I used the concept of the oriental issue to talk about the situation of the Christian minorities living under the auspices of the Ottoman Empire.

After the Congress of Vienna in 1815, all European diplomats accepted the concept of oriental issue and used it frequently. All domestic and foreign policies of the Ottoman Empire were seen as an oriental issue by the Europeans. Although it is a concept that started to be used in the 19th century, In fact, it is possible to say that the oriental issue has a thousand-year history for Europeans.

The question of the Orient began with the entry of the Turks into Anatolia:

The year is 1071, the place is the plain of Manzikert. Great Seljuk ruler Alp Arslan and the Byzantine emperor Romanian Diogenes. Until that day, only raiders were sent to the Anatolian gates. This time the Turks came with a large army. After a tough war, Alp Arslan and his soldiers defeated the Byzantine army. After this victory, the doors of Anatolia were opened to the Turks forever.

Even these few lines, which tell the story of the first steps we took to the land we live in today, gave you goosebumps, rest assured, those who live in this situation Europeans also had goosebumps. How did these men, some of whom were pagan and some Muslims, riding horses in the steppes of Central Asia, defeating the huge Byzantine army and stepping into lands that did not belong to them?

While the years 1071 – 1683, which is seen as the first process of the oriental issue, were our most glorious years. For Europeans, it was feared. The main purpose was to prevent the spread of the Turks in Anatolia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. But we know we’ve done it all. Europe, which was on the defensive until the failure of the 1683 siege of Vienna, now decided to attack.

The aggressive attacks of the Europeans constitute the second process of the oriental question:

The Ottoman Empire, which had conquered all over the world for hundreds of years as an unstoppable power, was unfortunately starting to get tired. This process started in the 17th century. It ended with the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of the Turkish Republic. This process is the second process of the oriental issue for Europeans.

With the failure of the siege of Vienna, the Europeans gained courage. Of course, this courage was not military. Christians, Arabs and other peoples living in the Ottoman Empire were supported. they were made to revolt. For those who did not rebel, the Ottoman Empire was pressured to give them special rights. Of course, North African territories were also a big problem.

One of the main purposes of the oriental issue for Europeans is their desire to establish a Christian union. So when we look at it from this angle Encouraging non-Muslims living in the Ottoman Empire to revolt understandable situation. However, if you ask why the European of the hand encouraged the Africans and Arabs to revolt, the answer is only money.

North Africa and the Middle East have always been the center of trade throughout history. The fact that these trade centers are in the hands of the Turks But it never made Europeans happy. For this reason, there have been numerous revolts in the region, most of them initiated by the British and French. Unfortunately, the end of these rebellions laid the foundations for the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

With the Eastern issue, the Turks wanted to be sent back to Central Asia:

As we explained in our first sentences, the Turks were seen as barbarian tribes running on the steppes of Central Asia. However for centuries to conquer all over the world European states did not like it. As the last step of this aim, the Treaty of Berlin of 1878 was made and the Ottomans were completely removed from the Balkans.

Of course, remember, the oriental issue’s sole purpose is not to establish Christian unity. Another purpose of the oriental issue is Turks like them to send them back to Central Asia where they came from. For this reason, it is aimed to establish a state for each of the Armenians, Kurds, Jews and other minority peoples living in our lands.

For this purpose, we know that many minority peoples were enabled to establish a state. However, this was not enough and to further intensify the oriental issue. Turks living in Central Asia were also provoked against Anatolian Turks. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the Turkish nation, who fought at the expense of their lives, created a great shock to the Europeans who thought that they would achieve their goals with the Treaty of Sèvres.

Is the oriental thing over?

Former President of Azerbaijan Ebulfez Elchibey Even if you forget that you are a Turk, your enemy will never forget, he said. This sentence is perhaps the clearest summary of the thousand-year-old oriental issue. Turks have been influenced by the Chinese, Arabs, French, British and Americans throughout history, but they have always been Turkish in the eyes of the world, even if we sometimes forget.

Unfortunately, when we dig under the problems we experience even today, we often covertly or openly We see that there are European sources. What lies behind what we are experiencing today will be answered by political scientists. However, it is a big mistake that we live in a utopia where everything is at peace in the modern world of the 21st century.

used by Europeans to describe Ottoman domestic and foreign policies. what is the oriental issue, where and when was it used for the first time He embarked on a short journey in Turkish history through questions such as: You can share your thoughts on the subject in the comments.