Assignment on the Treaty of Balta Liman

Treaty of Balta Liman of the Treaty of Balta Liman

            The Anglo-Ottoman Treat or the Treaty of Balta Limani is a formal trade agreement signed between the United Kingdom and the Sublime Porte of Ottoman Empire. The treaty includes the writings of David Urquhart who played an important role in shaping the treaty as he advocated for monopoly abolition. The document was intended for the governors and other authorities of Ottoman Empire for ensuring trade between Britain and the Empire. It was written in 1838 and the aim of this document was to ensure that all monopolies will be abolished by Ottoman Empire, enable British merchants along with their collaborators for having access to every Ottoman market, and will be equally taxed to every local merchant.

            In accordance with the first article, all immunities, privileges, and rights that have been conferred on the ships or suspects of Great Britain by the existing treaties and capitulations, are confirmed, except they might be specifically changed by the present convention. The second article determines that the agents of Queen should be allowed to purchase in Ottoman Dominions at all places. The Sublime Porte should make sure to abolish every monopoly of agricultural produce. The third article of this treaty determines that if any article of the Ottoman manufacture, growth, or produce be bought by any British merchant or any agent for the objective of selling the same for Turkish internal consumption, it is important for the British merchant to pay at the sale and purchase of such articles.

            The fourth article determines that if any article of Turkish manufacture, growth, or produce be bought for exportation, the same should be conveyed by the merchant, free of any type of duty or charge, to a convenient shipment place. The fifth article determines that guidelines under which Firmans are seemingly issued to merchant vessels for passing Bosphorus and Dardanelles should be framed. The sixth article determines that it is agreed by the government of Turkey that the guidelines set in the present convention should be general throughout the Ottoman Empire whether in Asia, Europe, and Asia. The seventh article indicates that having been the custom of Sublime Porte and Great Britain, with a view of preventing all delays and difficulties in determining the value of articles exported or imported into Dominions, a commission of men should be acquainted and familiar with the traffic of both nations.

            After the analysis of document, it can be said that the treaty would have serious consequences on the result of Ottoman-Syrian war. Considering the fact that it is a treaty, Ottomans would understand that Britain had invested significantly in the Ottoman Empire. It also indicated that the Britain was on their side. From the side of Britain, it can be said that the British authorities want to ensure that their place Ottoman Empire is secure and if they invested in the nation, it would ensure the sustainability of their investment. From the acts, it can be analysed that Britain aims to make sure that fair trade can be initiated between the two nations. In addition to it, it wants to ensure that once the acts become active, taxes and other duties would stay the same and they would not be changed.

            Meanwhile, when it comes to the dilemma of Middle Eastern societies, it can be seen that they perceive European nations as hostile and they do not wish to open up their trade routes to them. However, Britain wants to ensure that this dilemma changes and a fair trade can be promoted that can benefit both sides.