Decline of Ottoman Military Power

Hi there, Tobodai!

I recently finished reading Quataert's "Ottoman Empire, 1700-1922". I found it very interesting, as it really gives you an good insight into what is acknowledged as the fading years of the Empire. The reasons for the decline are several, but the conservative culture that you pointed, alongside with a feeling of natural superiority towards the western powers (due to lack of contact with the West - First Ottoman Embassies and permanent delegations in Europe appeared very late in the 18th century), is definitely one of them.

Internal corruption and frequent poor leadership were also the case. After S�leyman I (the peak of Ottoman rule - 16th century), and the defeat at the gates of Vienna, the Ottomans started drawing back. Alongside came a new emmerging power, the tsarist Russia. Things only got better again when Kopr�l� & Son came to the scene and reformed the army and the navy, regaining some provinces in the Balkans (Belgrade I believe), and showing up at the gates of Vienna once more, only to be defeated by poor tactics and a non-expected polish reinforcement that forced the Ottomans to withdraw. After that, further territorial expansion only the conquer of Cyprus, and Ukraine from Poland. 

Anyway, the West was gaining the upperhand and slowly the Ottomans were diminishing in power and influence. A rush of unsuccessful wars with Russia made them lose many territorial possessions in the Balkans. Internal reforms to westernize (like the Tanzimat) were slow and found resistance from some sectors (like the Janissary, which eventually led to their extinction), and overall the western economy was more powerful and soon dictating laws in Ottoman internal affairs.

The Constitution that was a part of the Tanzimat process, was abolished by the Sultan, only to be put back by the Young Turks revolution (and the Sultan put away).

By the time of WWI, the shrinked Empire was in a social transition phase that never got its end due to the ultimate extinction of the Dinasty by Atat�rk, following the Empire's defeat in the war.

But this is just a very brief comment. I strongly recommend the book. I'm also about to read Halil Inalcik's "Ottoman Empire, 1300-1600". I've also read Cemal Kadafar's "The Construction of the Ottoman State", a good insight on the origins of the Empire and the various thesis around it.

I'm open to more suggestions, of course.

That was the main problem of the Ottoman army. Their Logistics service was tragic and it was one of the elements that stopped their expansion.

The Sultan with his entourage and the army would leave Constantinople in Spring to wage war. By the time he would reach Austria, it would be autumn and he had to return back while a large portion of the army would be starving in the mud.

The Hapsburgs cleverly identified this weakness and enlarged it. They build many small forts that were heavily fortified along the Danube. The Ottomans instead of leaving a small force to siege them would launch all-off attacks against them, thus stalling for even longer their campaign. At one occasion, a small garrison of 300 men, stalled the whole Ottoman army for two months, thus destroying the entire campaign.