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Has Jordan Ever Been Part of the Ottoman Empire?

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The historical journey of Jordan reflects a complex web of political, cultural, and economic relationships stretching back to the Bronze Age. Jordan's connection to the Ottoman Empire is a significant chapter in this intricate history, intertwined with the roles of Britain and France during the mandate era.

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Historical Overview: From the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic Period

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Dating back to the 3rd millennium BC, Transjordan was a region overshadowed by the early civilizations of Palestine and Mesopotamia. Despite numerous cities being established in Canaan, the region on the eastern side of the Jordan River was mainly inhabited by nomads. This phenomenon is corroborated not only in archaeological findings but also in ancient text sources such as the Middle Kingdom of ancient Egypt. Notably, Egyptian texts of that era mention more places in Western Palestine than in Eastern Jordan.

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The 2nd millennium BC saw the influence of the Hyksos, a Semitic population and culture spreading from northern Egypt to Palestine and Syria. After the decline of the Hyksos, the pharaohs reasserted their hegemony, with Egyptian kings like Thutmosis III conquering significant parts of Palestine around 1500 BC.

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The Hellenistic Period and the Roman Empire

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With Alexander the Great's conquest of the region in 332 BC, the Hellenistic period began. Greek culture spread across the region, merging with the ancient Oriental and Greek cultures to create a cultural and economic boom. However, Alexander left Transjordan out of his immediate interests, favoring the more developed coastal regions instead.

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Following Alexander's death in Babylon in 323 BC, his empire fractured. The Ptolemaic Empire, which included Egypt, Libya, and Palestine, stood in opposition to the Seleucid Empire, which controlled Syria, Mesopotamia, and parts of Persia. Palestine and its Jordanian hinterland became a contested region, with the Roman Empire eventually extending its influence over the area.

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Advent of Christianity and the Birth of Islam

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By the 1st century AD, the region of Palestine, Syria, and Transjordan had become predominantly Christian. The advent of Islam in the 7th century brought significant changes. From Mecca, Muhammad's followers began to conquer the Arabian Peninsula, and with the second caliph, Umar, parts of Transjordan were conquered in 634 AD.

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However, the historical narrative of Jordan truly took a turn with the discovery of the Crusaders. The Fatimid Caliph El-Hakim sacked the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, leading to the Seljuq Turks, a Turkic group, expanding into the Middle East and oppressing the Christians. This culminated in the First Crusade, which led to the conquest of Jerusalem in 1099.

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The Ottoman Empire's Expansion and Mandate

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The conquests under the Crusaders laid the groundwork for the eventual occupation of Jordan by the Ottoman Empire. Over the centuries, the territories they conquered remained under Ottoman control, until the empire's decline in the 19th and early 20th centuries. By the late 19th century, the Ottoman Empire had effectively taken control of the region, including Transjordan.

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During the World War I, the British led an expedition into Egypt, Palestine, and Transjordan. The Ottoman Empire collapsed, leading to the creation of the British Mandate for Palestine. In 1921, the Emir Abdullah I of Transjordan was established as the new regional leader. This was followed by the establishment of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 1946, free from British control.

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Conclusion

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While Jordan has had a complex history with various empires and international powers, it is clear that the Ottoman Empire played a crucial role in shaping its modern political identity. The mandate period further defined its territorial and political boundaries, leading to its recognition as a distinct nation.