THE MODERNIZATION OF OTTOMAN DIPLOMACY IN THE TANZIMAT PERIOD

In the nineteenth century, diplomacy became more important than ever before for the Ottoman Empire. Because of the weakness of the Empire, as compared to the great powers of Europe, defense of its territories and interests depended more on diplomacy and negotiation than on the use of arrned forees. Diplomacy was a defensiye weapon for the Sultan and the Sublime Porte in more than one way : it could heIp to avoid injury to the Empire; it could try to attract aid for the Empire; and it could try to persuade the European powers that the Empire deserved support from them because it was improving itself by means of a process of reforms and bringing itself closer to westem ways.