Strategi Sultan Abdul Hamid II dalam Mempertahankan Kekuasaan

Abstract

The Ottoman Empire was one of the largest Islamic empires following the collapse of several earlier Islamic kingdoms such as the Umayyad, Abbasid, Fatimid, Seljuk, Ayyubid, and Mamluk. By the mid-19th century, the Ottoman Empire had endured several decades of significant economic, social, and political crises. Once a formidable power, the Ottoman Empire began to fragment and face threats from foreign powers and internal nationalist movements. During his reign, Sultan Abdul Hamid II sought to consolidate power and strengthen central government control over increasingly unruly territories. However, his efforts to maintain legitimacy involved increasing bureaucratic control. Facing formidable internal and external challenges, Sultan Abdul Hamid II sought to preserve his rule. Amidst a rapidly modernizing world, his government often faced criticism and pressure from various quarters, necessitating strategic maneuvers to maintain power. The purpose of this research is to explain the internal and external challenges faced by Sultan Abdul Hamid II, as well as to analyze the strategies used by Sultan Abdul Hamid II in maintaining his power from 1876 to 1909. This research employs a qualitative descriptive method, which is based on systematic and accurate event analysis and verifies its accuracy based on the obtained data. The data collection technique used is through a literature study. The theories used include the power theory based on Western and Islamic thought, as well as the strategy theory related to the discussed topics. The result of this research is that, in his efforts to maintain power, the sultan adopted strategies involving political, social, and diplomatic aspects. He concentrated power to himself, implemented pan-Islamism, and took repressive and moderate reform actions.