Sea of Troubles: The European Conquest of the Islamic Mediterranean and the Origins of the First World War

The Ottoman Empire was a powerful Islamic power in the mid-eighteenth century, but by the end of the First World War, it had been subjugated and its territories occupied by European powers. Sea of Troubles by Ian Rutledge explores the intense imperial rivalry between six European powers that jostled for control of the trade, lands, and wealth of the Islamic Mediterranean, making their conquest a difficult and extended task.

Format: Hardback
Length: 576 pages
Publication date: 17 October 2023
Publisher: Saqi Books

The Ottoman Empire, a vast Islamic power that held sway over much of the Mediterranean coastline and its hinterlands in the mid-eighteenth century, was a source of both awe and fear in Christian Europe. However, by the end of the First World War, this great civilization had been utterly subjugated, and its territories were occupied by European powers. Sea of Troubles, by Ian Rutledge, provides a comprehensive account of the European conquest of the Levant and North Africa over three centuries. Rutledge delves into the intense imperial rivalry between six European powers, namely Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Austria-Hungary, and Russia, who all vied for control of the trade, lands, and wealth of the Islamic Mediterranean. This competition made the conquest of these regions a far more challenging and prolonged endeavor than encountered elsewhere in the world.

As new contenders entered the fray and rivalries intensified in the early twentieth century, events began to spiral out of control, leading to the outbreak of the First World War. The Mediterranean became a theater of intense geopolitical maneuvering, with each power seeking to expand its influence and secure its interests. The competition for resources, trade routes, and strategic locations intensified, leading to a buildup of tension and conflict.

The Ottoman Empire, despite its initial dominance, was unable to withstand the combined forces of European powers. The empire's decline began in the late eighteenth century, with territorial losses and internal strife. The rise of nationalism and the desire for self-determination among the peoples of the Mediterranean further weakened the empire's hold on the region.

The European powers, on the other hand, were eager to expand their empires and gain access to the rich resources of the Islamic world. They saw the conquest of the Levant and North Africa as a means to achieve this goal and to assert their dominance over the region. The French, in particular, were determined to establish a presence in the Mediterranean and topple the Ottoman Empire.

The First World War marked a turning point in the history of the Mediterranean. The war saw the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, and the partitioning of its territories among the European powers. The war also led to the emergence of new nations, such as Israel and Jordan, which were carved out of the former Ottoman Empire's territories.

The aftermath of the First World War saw the continued expansion of European influence in the Mediterranean. The League of Nations was established to promote peace and stability in the region, but its effectiveness was limited. The Mediterranean became a hotbed of political and economic instability, with rivalries between countries and conflicts over resources and territory.

In conclusion, the European conquest of the Levant and North Africa over three centuries was a complex and multifaceted process that was shaped by intense imperial rivalry, nationalism, and the desire for resources. The Mediterranean became a theater of intense geopolitical maneuvering, with each power seeking to expand its influence and secure its interests. The First World War marked a turning point in the history of the Mediterranean, with the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the partitioning of its territories among the European powers. The aftermath of the war saw the continued expansion of European influence in the region, but also the emergence of new challenges and conflicts.

Weight: 816g
Dimension: 241 x 161 x 48 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780863569500