“Rising nationalism was the main reason for the decline of the Ottoman Empire in the early 19th century.” Discuss.

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the view that rising nationalism was the main reason for the decline of the Ottoman Empire in the early 19th century. Reasons may predate the timeframe, but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may discuss the rise of nationalism caused by the French Revolution, which inspired subject groups within the Empire such as the Greeks to revolt, and European powers such as Russia to expand at the expense of the Ottomans. Other reasons may include the increased Western control of trade routes from Asia and Africa, which reduced Ottoman economic power, and Western advances in science and technology that gave them a powerful military advantage over the Ottomans. Candidates may discuss the Ottoman failure to modernize their government, economy, education system and military, which made them much weaker than the Western powers, who were expanding aggressively. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.