Özet:

For its strategic location, dense population and historical position as the capital of great empires, Istanbul’s provisioning has always been a matter of vital importance in all periods of history. Likewise, the Ottoman Empire treated the matter with utmost seriousness, creating various significant institutions and mechanisms particularly to this end. These institutions and mechanisms were basically intended to ensure smooth and continuous supply of Istanbul’s needs at affordable prices. Both the Balkans and the Black Sea served very important roles in the provisioning of Istanbul. With the Ottoman conquest, Balkans reached a considerable degree of economic and political integration. Under the Ottoman rule, the Balkans prospered greatly, with a boom in agricultural production. Similarly, new cities and towns were founded, with the existing ones experiencing growth and expansion. Further, as a result of the conquests, the Black Sea was entirely excluded from foreign powers, turning into a domestic market. As a result, a new, tripartite integrated network of trade emerged between Istanbul, Balkans and the Black Sea. This in turn brought about specialization in the production and distribution of certain agricultural, commercial and industrial products. Under the Ottoman rule, Balkans served as a major center of supply for grain and meat (livestock, i.e. cattle and sheep), which constituted the staple for the people of Istanbul. The majority of grain and other foodstuff were shipped by sea particularly through the quays on and around the Danube, while livestock was dispatched to Istanbul by land as herds. The economic stability between Istanbul, Balkans and the Black Sea was gradually disrupted starting from the mid-18th century. As a result of the rise of Russia as a second power in the Black Sea following the Russo-Ottoman wars, production in the Balkans shrank, with the flow of goods to Istanbul experiencing a relative decline. While the government formerly acted as rather regulator and supervisor of the provisioning system, centralist tendencies now began to rise to prominence starting with the period in question

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