Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Abstract

The conflict in Europe, which emerged as a result of the Coalition Wars, widened the crack in the Ottoman administrative structure when it spread to the Eastern Mediterranean with Napoleon's campaign to Egypt in 1798. The British, who were aware of what the Ottoman's inadequacy in the region would cost, wanted to somehow regain control in Egypt and disable the French in the Eastern Mediterranean. On top of the Ottoman's inability to overcome internal turmoil, the British could not hold on in Egypt due to the revolts initiated by Mehmed Ali Pasha, who was appointed as the governor, and the pressure created by the ongoing Coalition Wars in Europe. In addition to the development of Egypt with his innovations and investments, Mehmed Ali Pasha also improved the power of the state in Arabia and Sudan to a level that disturbed the central government. Mehmed Ali Pasha, who wanted to benefit from the confusion created by the revolutions that emerged in 1830, rebelled against the state in 1831 when he could not get what he wanted in return for the support he provided for the settlement of the Greek issue. The only way out of the Ottoman Empire, which could not prevent the advancing Egyptian army from entering Anatolia, was to take advantage of the conflicts of interest between the Great Powers. . The Great Powers, on the other hand, were concerned about the deterioration of European peace due to the weakening of the Ottoman Empire. As a matter of fact, after the signing of the Treaty of Kütahya with Mehmed Ali Pasha and the Treaty of Hünkâr Iskelesi with Russia in 1833, the Egyptian issue became an international problem, and the authority over the Bosporus became a matter of debate. The Ottomans aimed to completely solve the problem of Mehmed Ali Pasha by making diplomatic attempts and establishing an alliance with the British government. The fact that the British did not take the expected steps in the solution of the Egypt issue caused Mahmud II to be more and more worried. Under the influence of the Foreign Minister, Mahmud II, who was convinced of the British plan and proposal, ordered the conclusion of the treaty negotiations as soon as possible. For the Ottomans, the trade agreement was not their primary objective. Since the purpose of Mahmud II was to get rid of Mehmed Ali Pasha, who had become a matter of political prestige, at any cost. With the treaty, which was accepted with reluctance and desperation, it was accepted to respond to the raw material and market needs of the British to a great extent.