Synopses & Reviews
This revised edition builds upon and updates the twin themes of Turkey's continuing incorporation into the capitalist world and the modernization of state and society. It begins with the forging of closer links with Europe after the French Revolution, and the changing face of the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century. In his account of the period since 1950, Zürcher focuses on the growth of mass politics; the three military coups; the issue of Turkey's human right's record; integration into the global economy; the alliance with the West and relations with the European Community; and much more.
Review
"Zurcher's book will make an excellent textbook for students approaching the study of Turkey for the first time, in addition to serving as a valuable aid to scholars looking for a comprehensive, well-written fusion of differing interpretations of Turkish history...This book is destined to remain a standard text in its field."--Lawrence Tel,
International Affairs"...a valuable addition to scholarly literature."--Andrew Mango, TLS
Synopsis
Building upon and updating its twin themes, this revised edition of Turkey: a Modern History focuses on Turkey's continuing incorporation into the capitalist world and the modernization of state and society. It begins with the forging of closer links with Europe after the French Revolution and the changing face of the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century. Zurcher argues that Turkey's history, between 1908 and 1950, should be seen as a unity, and offers a strongly revisionist interpretation of Turkey's founding father, Kemal Ataturk. In his account of the period since 1950, Zurcher focuses on: the growth of mass politics; the three military coups; the thorny issue of Turkey's human rights record; integration into the global economy; the alliance with the West and and relations with the European community; Turkey's ambivalent relations with the Middle East; the increasingly explosive Kurdish questions; the economic crisis of 1994; and the continuing political instability and growth of Islam.
About the Author
Erik J. Zürcher is Professor of Turkish Studies at the University of Leiden.
Table of Contents
Preface * Preface to second edition * Glossary * List of Maps * Introduction: Periodization, Theory and Methodology *
Part I: Western Influences and Early Attempts at Modernization * The Ottoman Empire at the end of the Eighteenth Century * Between Tradition and Innovation: Sultan Selim III and the "New Order," 1789-1807 * The Early Years of Sultan Mahmut II: the Center Tries to Regain Control * The Later Years of Sultan Mahmut II: the Start of the Reforms * The Era of the Tanzimat, 1839-71 * The Crisis of 1873-8 and its Aftermath * Reactionary Despotism or Culmination of the Reforms? The Reign of Sultan Abdulhamit II *
Part II: The Young Turk Era in Turkish History, 1908-50 * The Second Constitutional Period * The Struggle for Independence * The Emergence of the One-Party State, 1923-7 * The Kemalist One-Party State, 1925-45 * The Transition to Democracy, 1945-50 *
Part III: A troubled Democracy * The Rule of the Democratic Party, 1950-60 * The Second Turkish Republic, 1960-80 * The Third Republic: Turkey since 1980 * Maps * Bibliographical Survey * Biographical Notes: Some Important Figures on Ottoman and Turkish History - Index