THE EFFECT OF THE EGYPT ISSUE (1831-1841) ON EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN GEOPOLITICS AND THE TURKISH STRAITS

Abstract

The Egyptian governor, who sought to establish a strong state in the eastern Mediterranean and for this underwent military,
economic and administrative reforms, caused rebellions in 1831 and than invaded Syria. With the defeat of the armies of the
Ottoman Empire, the road to Istanbul had been opened to him, and he had became a threat to Istanbul and the Ottoman dynasty.
At this stage, as the Egyptianissue had gained an international outlook, it was not an internal problem of the Ottoman Empire
anymore. The territorial integrity of the weakened Ottoman Empire was important for the preservation of the European balance
of power and the status quo. In the first phase of the revolt, when the Ottoman Empire hadn't received any help and support
from other states, Russia offered to help and saw the benefit of this in a very short time by making the Treaty of Hünkâr Iskele
in 1833. This treaty had a negative impact on the interests of Britain and France in the Mediterranean. Russia’sgaining a
superior position in the Straitswith this agreement alarmed the European states and this caused them intervene into the Egyptian
issue. At the end of the Egyptian rebellionas it was found that the Ottoman Empire was in the period of collapse, in a weak and
devastated state, the issue of the Straits had emerged as an important subject.