The British and the Turks

Describes and analyses British pressure to partition and ultimately destroy the Ottoman Empire Although it was at times valuable to Britain to support the Ottoman Empire against Russian encroachment, by the end of the 19th century successive British governments had begun to sponsor the dismemberment of the Empire. British public opinion and political pressure groups portrayed the Ottomans in universally defamatory terms, affecting the diplomatic actions of politicians. Some politicians themselves harboured deep prejudices against the Turks and Islam. The result, through numerous incidents, was British pressure to dismember the Ottoman Empire. Justin McCarthy shows how - from ignoring provisions guaranteeing Ottoman territorial integrity to refusing to publish consular reports that described the oppression of Muslims - the British were anything but friends to the Ottomans. Key Features  An in-depth study of British relations with the Ottoman Empire and the Turks  Considers British plans for the Ottoman Empire in the most important crises of the late 19th and early 20th centuries  Draws extensively on British diplomatic records and records of other European Powers, the Ottoman Empire and Turkey  Examines the role of diplomats, media, the church and politicians in fostering negative views about the Ottoman Turks and Muslims  Helps us understand the historical origins of many of the conflicts in the Balkans, Anatolia, the Middle East and even in the Caucasus Justin McCarthy is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Louisville. His recent books include The Armenian Rebellion at Van (2006), The Turk in America (2010) and Sasun (2014).