Railway management in the Ottoman State is the political thoughts of the Ottoman rulers within the borders of the Ottoman Empire.
Road construction methods in the Ottoman Empire, long zamthe moment was made by local administrators based solely on military needs. It progressed partially in the periods when the state was strong and robust, and then left aside completely and remained neglected. After the Tanzimat Edict, "Roads and Bridges NizamIt was tried to solve the road problem by removing “namesi”. In addition, it is stipulated to provide agricultural and marine connections and means of transportation.
The emerging model of rail transportation in Europe and America, along with the developing and changing means of transportation, was of great importance for the Ottoman Empire in terms of economy, politics and military.
The railway was a rising model, its convenience, economy and modernity. The situation that the Ottoman State was in was not sufficient for these systems.
Abdülhamit's ideas about railways; increasing the military power, preventing rebellion and banditry as well as the delivery of agricultural productions to the world market.
With the construction of the railroads, agricultural production would be increased and the revenues of taxes would increase. In addition, trade would develop, import and export customs duties would be transferred to the treasury. In the places where the railroad passes, rich mineral deposits will be opened to enterprises and the mining production will be increased.
The economical inadequacy of the Ottoman State in railway transportation caused the European imperialist states to be built according to their economic and political interests and to take them into consideration.
Unlike the profitable purpose of the railroad in the Ottoman State, it directed the policies of the European state to think. Because the European states were applying to economic and political pressure to gain privileges on the railway. The aim of Europe was to establish the population regions by engaging in railway construction in the Ottoman Empire. This situation, which was originally initiated by the French and the British, developed in favor of Germany after 1889.
European states wanted to gain privileges on the Ottoman Empire by strengthening their social base by railroad in the Ottoman Empire. However, they engaged in constant competition to build railways. When one state built a railroad and gained privileges, another state was pressing and receiving privileges.
Another situation for the interests of European states is the transit route of the railways, which was a major problem in the Ottoman Empire. The spread of the railway from the center, that is, from Istanbul to the country, did not come to Europe's business. So they were for the railroad starting from the Mediterranean.
Another point used by Europe; It is the debts of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans were giving privileges in return for their debts, or faced with a privilege offer when requested.
The first railroad construction in the Ottoman State arose with Tanzimat. Later, after the establishment of Düyûnu Umumiye Administration, it gained speed. In addition, railway companies targeted Düyûnu Umumiye Administration.
The railways in the Ottoman State were carried out by foreign capital, with the exception of the Hijaz Line. It was under the protection of the British first, then the French and the Germans.
One of the most important methods of the Ottoman in the railway; It is a privilege to give railway productions. Km. With the system called guarantee, the profits of the companies were guaranteed by the Ottoman Empire. In the event that railway companies made profits under the guaranteed profit, the Ottomans met this difference.
On the other hand, the treasury places where the line will pass will be given to the production company free of charge. Again, the construction and maintenance materials of the railway were exported without customs duty.
Erzurum 356-kilometer remaining from the Ottoman era Russians-Sarikamish-except for the border line, the state of the line itself in his 1564-kilometer Hejaz and 6778 km has remained in total 8343 kilometers of railway construction Turkia path of the Republic of Turkey with his 4112-kilometer railway of foreign companies. However, these railways, shaped by external pressures and extending from the ports to the inner regions in the appearance of a tree, served mostly to European states rather than the interests of the country; National and independent methods could not be followed during the Ottoman period.
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