Sultan’s America: Lessons from Ottoman Encounters with the United States
Keywords:
Ottoman Empire, United States, Abdulhamid II, cultural politics, diplomatic relations, John Joseph NouriAbstract
This article analyzes the complex interactions between the Ottoman Empire and the United States through the lens of Sultan Abdulhamid II's reign. Focusing on the case of Reverend John Joseph Nouri, an Ottoman subject who faced injustice in American courts, the paper explores how these encounters shaped the Sultan’s perceptions of America. The study argues that cultural politics played a significant role in early US-Turkish relations, often overshadowed by diplomatic and military histories. By examining petitions and appeals from Ottoman immigrants, the article demonstrates how ethno-religious identity and the Empire’s reputation influenced these interactions. The methodology involves analyzing archival documents, including correspondence between Nouri and Abdulhamid II, as well as court records and newspaper articles. Key findings reveal that American courts often failed to provide justice for Ottoman subjects, leading to diplomatic tensions. This work investigates how cultural complexities and prejudices impacted early US-Turkish relations, offering a nuanced understanding of the historical dynamics between these two nations.(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)
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