Basically, there are two types of countries in World Economics. First ones export raw materials and the others export industrial products. Foreign capital had had great influence over Ottoman Empire at the begining of 1900's and Ottoman Empire can be also defined as semi colonized community. While Ottoman Empire could provide domestic demands totally by itself at the begining of 1800's (industrialization), 80 and 90 percent of domestic consumption had been compensated by import textile products at the begining of 1900's. However, although Ottoman Empire had not been industrialized, the main reason of semi colonized community was external dept.
1908 – 1922 period can be defined as bourgeois revolution which could not be completed. There were two political actors during this period. Young Turks (İttihatçılar) had been in charge between 1908 – 1918 and Kemalist revolutinaries between 1918 – 1922. Their main aim was establishing national capitalism, however it could be totally achieved because of few reasons.
1 – Political independency is obligatory condition for economic independency but it is not enough. However, Ottoman Empire had not been independent neighter as political nor as economic.
2 – There were several rebellions and wars during 14 years. (Balkans, Greece, I.World War etc.)
3 – There were not suitable Ottoman Bourgeois for national bourgeois revolution. It had been developed in commerce instead of industry, as a result of this great portion of it was comprador and non-muslim.
4 – A large part of Ottoman intellectuals were influenced by westernize imperialist ideas and defend liberal economics. Agriculture and raw material exporting should be supported according to them.
On the other side, there was a National Economy School which claimed national bourgeois could be educated by conservator (korumacı) industrialization and state incentives. Ziya Gökalp, Yusuf Akçura and Tekin Alp had spread these ideas with their writings in İktisadiyyat Mecmuası and Türk Yurdu.
However, though, I. World War and War of Independence was destructive for almost every classes in Anatolia, first steps of national bourgeois had been taken during and because of these wars in Anatolia. Before Ist World War, it was % 75 more expensive to carry wheat from Anatolia than carrying it from New York. Ist World War broke trade routes and Young Turks enforced Anatolian trade routes to supply food for Istanbul. This situation was profitable for two classes, one of them Anatolian Turkish Farmers since as Yusuf Akçura said they were expecially chosen by Young Turks, and the other were muslim commerce bourgeois who had relations with ruling powers. The famous slogan during these years was “EY TURK BE RICH”.
The other interesting statistic was, % 26 amount of resouces which were used in 1st World War was provided by Germany and Austria while in War of Independence, only % 10 amount of resources were provided by foreigner resources. (Russian)
Winners: Anatolian Major Turkish Farmers – Muslim Commerce Bourgeois.
Losers: Most of Anatolian Farmers
We can not count industrial bourgeois and worker classes yet since there were not any.
