The Empire slowly declined from the 18th century, failing to keep up with the rapid growth of European countries. In 1683, the failure of the final siege of Vienna (a disastrous defeat) is often taken as the beginning of the effective decline, triggering the first territorial losses.
In 1782, Catherine II's Russia seized Crimea without the Sublime Porte (as the Empire is sometimes referred to after the name of the monumental gate of honor of the Grand Vizirate in Istanbul, seat of government of the Sultan) does not react, not thinking of being strong enough to oppose it. In 1798, the French set foot in Egypt and stayed there for three years while claiming a "friendship" with the Sublime Porte. This half-hearted attitude won the admiration of Mehmet Ali whom she would later inspire in a similar action (and who would always mention his admiration for Bonaparte).
In the 19th century, the Empire - dubbed "the sick man of Europe" (by Russia) - fell apart. That same century, it began a process of modernization in order to regain its former power and prosperity. This period began in 1808 with the Charter of the Union (Sened-i Ittifak) signed between the sultan and the feudal chiefs and which confirmed the power of the latter vis-à-vis the central administration. Then comes the Edict of Tanzimat (Tanzimat Fermani) in 1839 where the central administration announces legislative measures with the aim of modernizing the empire. During this period, European countries such as France and the United Kingdom greatly influenced the Ottoman Empire. Another reform undertaken at this time is the abolition of slavery in 1847. The end of this period of reforms which is called "Tanzimat" ends with the 1st Monarchical Constitution in 1876.
Map of the conquests of the Ottoman Empire until 1683.
Map of the conquests of the Ottoman Empire until 1683.
In 1830, Greece, supported by the Western powers, obtained its independence. The governor of Egypt, Mehmet Ali, behaves like an independent sovereign and obtains that his son succeeds him, which constitutes a precedent. France seizes Algeria. The Empire only faced Russian expansion because the United Kingdom and France protected it, especially during the Crimean War.
At the turn of the century, the Empire finished losing the Balkans, except for a small territory in Eastern Thrace where its capital was located.