Abstract:

In the scope of this study, the development of Kocaeli Industry is examined along accompany of industrialization efforts in Ottoman Empire and the adventure experienced in transformation of traditional economic system of empire through this process. Within the framework of industrialization efforts in the 19th century, some basic natures of Ottoman economic system that had been ongoing by protection in general frame were converted in this cause -with a big effort spread to decades- and it has been made more convenient with the terms of current industrial development. As approaching to the end of the 19th century, Ottoman economy was able to adapt to the new conditions brought about by industrial revolution, as a result of continuous efforts in a persistent manner despite the failures in industrial investments occurred in the early stages. More clearly, some of the industrial investments made in this process were successful to such an extent that can produce with international standards. However, economic and political policies in the period of the Committee of Union and Progress have almost destroyed the industrialization gains of one hundred years, which finally came to adaptation stage with European industry. Today’s city of Kocaeli constituted one of the most important parts of mentioned industrialization process that was ongoing in the 19th century. Factories established in Sanjak of Izmit in this process transformed Izmit city (Kocaeli) into an industrial centre in terms of textile industry, which is the most important sub-branch of Ottoman industry. In this study, it is deduced that this situation had a significant effect on the city of İzmit (or Kocaeli) to be considered as an alternative place for establishment of industrial investments during the early Republic period.

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