Reform or Ruin: The Ottoman Cabinet, 1908 OTTOMAN

In July 1908, after thirty years of one-man rule over the Ottoman Empire, a group of military officers forced Sultan Abdulhamid II to restore the Ottoman constitution, significantly weakening his power and ushering in a new age for the empire and its people. Citizens celebrated with jubilance in the streets, and prospects seemed to be turning up. But in reality, the hard part was just beginning. Cracks from all sides are appearing, will you be able to fill them in and usher in peace and prosperity for the Empire?

Delegates will join the Ottoman Cabinet of the Sultan at the moment of great confusion and turmoil. A new parliament is open. The press is free. Every group in the empire wants something different from this new political order, and will fight for their desires. At the same time, the borders are collapsing: Bulgaria breaks away, Austria-Hungary threatens Bosnia, and Crete moves toward Greece. All this occurs in a whirlwind: The cabinet has two problems and not enough time for either. At home, delegates must figure out how to hold together a multi-ethnic empire under one government without the whole thing splitting apart and ensure the fog of the institutional status quo is cleared. Abroad, they must respond to territorial losses that they have few army or allies to reverse or fight against.

Crisis breaks will come fast and reflect what was actually happening during this period: coup attempts, foreign interference, and unrest across the provinces. Delegates will collaborate on public directives in the front room and pursue ulterior personal agendas through notes and actions in the back room. The counter-revolution of April 1909 is coming. Whether you all survive it depends on what you do now.