Ottoman Turkey was once very prosperous for more than 600 years, but it was later dismembered by the West. Also during that period of time, Western countries began to vigorously attack the Qing Dynasty, but the Qing Dynasty was not dismembered by Western countries and has been holding on. In the end, the replacement of the Qing Dynasty by the Republic of China was only an internal adjustment in the history of the Chinese nation. So, why are the fates of the two countries so different, the same big empire?
Why was the Qing Dynasty not dismembered by the Western powers, as was the case with Ottoman Turkey?
1: Western interests for the Qing Dynasty and the Ottoman Empire. From the perspective of the Qing Dynasty and the Ottoman Empire, Western countries valued the Qing Dynasty more. Comparing the trade of the two countries, only the trade with the Qing Dynasty could make the Western countries make a lot of money. The Qing Dynasty had porcelain, silk, tea and other goods, which were preferred by Western countries, and the prices were also very expensive. The Ottoman Empire, on the other hand, had rather little interest in Western countries.
In the treaties signed with the Qing Dynasty, Western countries were able to continuously squeeze the Qing Dynasty and thus obtain a large amount of wealth. The complete and stable Qing Dynasty was a situation that Western countries needed to maintain. After all, so many treaties have been signed and a new government has been replaced, and Western countries are also worried that all the previous treaties will be nullified. And a backward and incompetent Qing government is what Western countries like. But the Ottomans were not so lucky.
2: The unity of the Chinese nation. As a 5,000-year uninterrupted history, the Chinese nation has made brilliant achievements. In recent history, there has been an awakening of nationalism. In the face of the invasion of Western countries, the Chinese nation emerged with the determination to unite. Even though the rulers at that time were Manchus, many Han Chinese always made their own contributions to the Qing court in order to maintain the stability of the country. Judging from the unity of the national group, the length of history, and the perseverance of the nation, the Turks of the Ottoman Empire are far from being able to compare with the Chinese nation, and it is more likely that they will be divided.
3: The Ottoman Empire blocking the communication between East and West. In the face of exchanges between Eastern and Western countries, the Ottoman Empire, which was in the Middle East, actually blocked the way for Western countries to go to the East. The development of the Great Voyage was also forced to be helpless, after all, Western countries were eager to trade in the East, and due to the obstruction of the Ottoman Empire, they could only find a route to the East by sea.
Under the common understanding of Western countries, the Ottoman Empire was also dismembered in the end. Especially in the Russo-Turkish war, Russia was the most interested in dismembering the Ottoman Empire. After all, the two countries not only have contradictions, but also mortal enemies. Russia also wanted to gain control of the Black Sea, and even to open a route to the Mediterranean.
4: The geographical location of the Ottoman Empire. Due to its proximity to the West, the Ottoman Empire was always a threat to the West. In the face of countries spanning Asia, Africa and Europe, Western countries are also always wary of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire, which was once powerful, always wanted to expand into Europe and occupy more territory. This touches a sensitive nerve in Western countries.
In order to block the invasion of the Ottoman Empire, European countries also strongly opposed the Ottoman Empire's intervention in European affairs. Going too deep into Europe is destined to pose a threat to the Ottoman Empire, after all, European countries have always considered him an Asian country, not a European country.
5: Contradictions brought about by religious beliefs. From the point of view of religious beliefs, Western countries belonged to Christianity, and the Ottoman Empire belonged to Islam. The two religions have always been at odds, and it has been difficult for the two sides to blend together. The Qing Dynasty was a non-religious country, and there was no religious contradiction between China and the West. In the Western countries and the Ottoman Empire, they both believed that the other side was infidels. In the grievances between the two religions, the two sides looked down on each other, and in this way, the religious contradictions were buried.
6: The Ottoman Empire's dream of a great power. In recent history, European countries have been on the rise. In the face of these countries overseas, acquire a large number of colonies and wealth. The Ottoman Empire also had its own dream of being a great power. He always wanted to get involved in Europe, improve his status, and go hand in hand with Britain, France, Russia and other countries. In Europe, the Ottoman Empire was involved in several wars, and these were all European affairs that the Ottoman Empire was involved in. He wants to promote Islam to Europe, which is intolerable to European countries.
China was too big, and it was located in the Far East, and when it was impossible for any great power to monopolize it, the forces of all sides maintained a delicate balance, and the Qing Dynasty was very good at taking advantage of the contradictions between the various powers, and was able to maintain the basic integrity of the country in form.
However, this is not the kindness of the imperialist countries, nor is it that we really had the strength in the first place. This is the paradox of history. And this contrast between the two empires gives us an opportunity to think outside the box: we should realize how far our motherland has faced life and death, and that the fate of the Ottoman Turkish Empire is not without a chance to happen to the impoverished and weak Eastern Empire.