Originally published in 1903.
Ahmed Sefik Midhat Pasha (18 October 1822 - 26 April 1883) was one of the leading Ottoman statesmen during the late Tanzimat era. He is most famous for leading the Ottoman constitutional movement of 1876 and introducing the First Constitutional Era, but was also a leading figure of reform in the educational and provincial administrations. He was part of a governing elite which recognized the crisis the Empire was in and considered reform to be a dire need. He was described by Caroline Finkel as "a true representative of Tanzimat optimism, who believed that separatist tendencies could be best countered by demonstrating the benefits of good government." For the British, his reforming zeal was an aberration, based on individual strength of personality. They believed Midhat Pasha could not succeed, citing the inefficient and corrupt nature of the Ottoman state, and the fractured nature of its society. The Midhat Pasha Souq in Damascus still bears his name. TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACECHAPTER I EARLY HISTORY OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE
CHAPTER II MIDHAT'S EARLY YEARS
CHAPTER III DEPOSITION AND DEATH OF ABDUL AZIZ
CHAPTER IV ABDUL HAMID SULTAN
CHAPTER V SECOND GRAND VIZIERATE OF MIDHAT PASHA
CHAPTER VI THE CONFERENCE AND MIDHAT'S EXILE
CHAPTER VII MIDHAT PASHA IN EUROPE
CHAPTER VIII THE RETURN OF MIDHAT PASHA TO TURKEY
CHAPTER XI THE TRIAL OF MIDHAT PASHA
CHAPTER XII EXILE OF MIDHAT PASHA
APPENDIX A THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE BERLIN NOTE AND THE CONFERENCE OF CONSTANTINOPLE
APPENDIX B THE INSURRECTION OF HERZEGOVINA AND BOSNIA, AND THE BERLIN NOTE
FOOTNOTES: