The Climate of Rebellion in the Early Modern Ottoman Empire
Understanding the Little Ice Age's influence on Ottoman society
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
Published:11th Jul '13
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This insightful book examines the profound effects of climate fluctuations on the Ottoman Empire, particularly highlighting the Celali Rebellion's significance.
In The Climate of Rebellion in the Early Modern Ottoman Empire, the author delves into the significant consequences of Little Ice Age climate fluctuations within Ottoman territories. This comprehensive study reveals how the intricate systems of provisioning and settlement that characterized Ottoman authority during the 1500s began to collapse under the strain of ecological challenges, including extreme cold and drought. These climatic adversities contributed to the emergence of the devastating Celali Rebellion, which took place between 1595 and 1610.
The narrative illustrates how the interplay of ongoing climate events, alongside nomadic incursions and rural unrest, marked a pivotal moment for the Ottoman Empire. The Celali Rebellion not only disrupted the existing order but also delayed the empire's recovery for over a century. The author emphasizes the far-reaching implications of these events on the region's demographics, land use, and economic structures, painting a vivid picture of a society grappling with environmental upheaval.
Through meticulous research and analysis, The Climate of Rebellion in the Early Modern Ottoman Empire provides readers with a deeper understanding of how climate change can influence political and social dynamics. The book serves as a critical reminder of the interconnectedness of environmental factors and human history, shedding light on how past climate challenges continue to resonate in contemporary discussions about sustainability and resilience.
“Sam White offers an exciting new approach to the problem of the ‘decline of the Ottoman Empire’ and specifically to the period of turmoil and revolt known as the ‘Celali Rebellions.’ His investigation of the effects of climate change on Ottoman agriculture and economy and the ways in which different social groups tried to manage the ensuing difficulties will revolutionize our understanding of Ottoman and Middle Eastern history.” – Linda T. Darling, University of Arizona
“In this innovative work, Sam White offers us a novel holistic view of the empire in its period of greatest expansion by connecting the eastern Mediterranean to the European historiography on the Little Ice Age and the seventeenth-century crises that followed. This is world history, Ottoman style, with a keyhole look at the whole society in a period of sustained crisis (1590s–1610) and some bold conclusions about the consequences of a series of ecological disasters and the Ottoman ability to manage them.” – Virginia H. Aksan, McMaster University
“In a balanced consideration of environmental and social factors, The Climate of Rebellion in the Early Modern Ottoman Empire gives the details of a fascinating and almost neglected story in a captivating and simultaneously vulnerable part of the world. Sam White’s well-planned structure and pleasant approach help readers to understand the multicomponent factors that led the Ottoman Empire to a crisis during the late Little Ice Age period.” – Elena Xoplaki, University of Bern
ISBN: 9781107614307
Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 21mm
Weight: 550g
376 pages