What was the importance of geographical discoveries for the Ottoman State ?
With these discoveries, Silk and Spice Roads, which were in the hands of the Ottoman Empire, lost their importance and new trade routes were found. This led to a decrease in the tax revenues of the Ottoman Empire. All of these have affected the Ottoman Empire financially. Rather; The Ottoman Empire and other Muslim states suffered damage, and the values of their possessions were gone. Geographical Discoveries affected all humanity. It has a universal feature in this aspect. Mediterranean Ports lost their importance as a result of Geographical Discoveries. However, with the opening of the Suez Canal by the French in 1869, these ports gained importance again.
Geographical Discoveries have caused great damage for Muslim countries. Islamic countries are impoverished, the Turkestan Khanates gradually weakened and regressed against the Russians. Although the Ottoman Empire dominated the Silk and Spice Roads, it did not reach its hopes due to the change of the roads. The Ottoman Empire had to give capitulations to European states in order to redevelop their trade activities.
In addition, the people and artisans operating along the caravan routes in the Ottoman land were unemployed. This situation paved the way for economic problems and Celali Rebellions in the Ottoman Empire.
