The Source of All Conspiracies
All the conspiracies against the Sultan came from within his own circle of people and his immediate attendants. The threats to his power did not come from foreign enemies or distant rebels, but from the very people who worked closest to him every day. This created a dangerous situation where the Sultan could trust no one around him.
The Endless Cycle of Political Scheming
The political system in Turkey worked like a never-ending game of musical chairs. Those who were currently out of power (the “outs”) were always planning and scheming to get back into positions of influence. At the same time, those who were already in power (the “ins”) were constantly plotting and conspiring to maintain their positions and prevent others from taking their places Guided Ephesus Tours.
No Real Political System
Turkey had no real political parties like those found in other countries. There were no political issues or policies that people debated or voted on. Instead, the entire political system was based on one simple principle: obtaining and keeping the Sultan’s personal favor. Everything depended on whether the Sultan liked you or not.
Two Classes of People
Because of this system, the entire Muslim population of Turkey was divided into just two classes of people. The first class consisted of the ruling favorites – those who currently enjoyed the Sultan’s approval and held positions of power. The second class was made up of those who had been discarded – people who had once been in favor but had fallen out of the Sultan’s good graces and lost their positions.
The Bitterness of Fallen Officials
Government officials and army officers who had been disgraced and removed from their positions naturally wanted to get their jobs back. They hated the Sultan because he now preferred other people over them. This created a large group of bitter, experienced, and potentially dangerous enemies who knew the inner workings of the government and had both the motivation and knowledge to cause trouble Sultan Abdul Hamid II A Ruler Living in Fear.
Court Jealousies Like Harem Rivalries
The same types of jealousies that existed among the women in the Sultan’s harem also existed among the men of the court. Just as the women in the harem competed for the Sultan’s attention and favor, the men in government constantly competed with each other for positions, titles, and the Sultan’s approval. This created an atmosphere of constant suspicion and backstabbing.
The Uninterested General Population
The ordinary people of Turkey, those outside the government and court circles, took no interest in these political games and power struggles. They were happy to be left alone to live their lives without interference. They did not participate in the conspiracies or political maneuvering because they simply wanted to go about their daily business in peace.
The Business Community’s Composition
The business community in Turkey was quite different from the political community. It consisted mainly of Armenians, Greeks, and Jews, with only a few Turks involved in commerce and trade. These minority groups focused on making money and building businesses rather than seeking government positions or political power.
The Turkish Monopoly on Government Jobs
While it would not be completely accurate to say that all Turks worked in government positions, it was absolutely true that all government offices were filled exclusively by Turks. This created a system where only ethnic Turks could hold official positions, excluding all other ethnic and religious groups from political power.
Not Enough Jobs to Go Around
The problem was that there were not enough government positions available for all the Turks who wanted them. Since government jobs were the main source of good income and social status, many Turks were left out of the system. Those who were forced to make their living without the help of government employment became frustrated and angry.
The Cycle of Continuous Conspiracy
These unemployed or underemployed Turks, who had to support themselves without government assistance, were forever plotting and conspiring against either the Sultan himself or the grand vizier (the chief minister). This created a continuous cycle of conspiracy and unrest, as there were always people who felt they deserved better positions and were willing to scheme to get them.
This system created a government that was constantly unstable, with the Sultan always having to watch his back and never knowing who he could truly trust among his own people.
