The effects of German Military Commission and Balkan wars on the reorganization and modernization of the Ottoman Army

Abstract

This thesis investigates the consequences of the Ottoman Army reform initiatives from the establishment of German Military Commission (18821918) to the outbreak of World War I (19141918). The Ottoman Army undertook huge change, supported by the German Military Commission, for the survival of the Empire. During this period, the results of the Balkan Wars (19121913) provided a critical impetus to accomplish these reforms efforts. The effects of the German Military Commission and Balkan Wars on the Ottoman Army have not been studied by scholars in detail. Furthermore, most of the literature about this period only focuses on the Balkan Wars and German Military Commission separately; however, it is crucial to consider these subjects together to evaluate the effectiveness of the reform initiatives correctly. This thesis research uses a historical study approach to attempt to fill this lacuna. Generally speaking, this examination of the German Military Commission and Balkan Wars will provide a broader view on military reforms between 1882 and 1914. Although these initiatives were not enough to improve the Ottoman Army because of wars (Balkan Wars and World War I) and Ottoman financial problems, this period was the watershed for the Ottoman Army in terms of military renaissance.