An Example of the Strategic Importance of Eastern Thrace in the Late Ottoman Period: The Exploitation of Keşan Lignite Mines and the Problem of Foreign Entrepreneurs

Bulgarian Historical Review, 53 (2025), No. 2, pp. 3-23
DOI: https://doi.org/10.71069/BHR2.25.ODM01

Oya Dağlar Macar

Prof. Dr. Oya Dağlar Macar - Istanbul Commerce University, Political Science and International Relations Department, Ornektepe Mah. Imrahor Cad. No: 88/2, Beyoglu 34445 /Istanbul TURKEY.
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-8163-8721. Web of Science Researcher ID: ABC-5380-2020, E-mail: oyadr@ticaret.edu.tr; oyadag@yahoo.com

Abstract: The aim of this article is to outline the military and strategic importance of the Eastern Thrace region to the Ottoman Empire. This region was one of its most critical. In this article, the importance of Eastern Thrace is tried to be underlined via the example of the Keşan coal mines.
The most important findings of this research are that during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Eastern Thrace was both the most critical line of defense and an important conduit through which the state maintained its economic and political relations with Europe.
In the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire was trying both to preserve its political integrity and to survive economically. Industrial development was largely dependent on coal. The coal policy of the Ottoman Empire changed depending on both prevailing conditions and international politics. The legal regulations regarding coal necessitated different practices from time-to-time as Keşan lignite coal in particular was an important example in this regard.
As studies in this field are limited, the subject was analyzed through review of Ottoman archival documents most of which were used for the first time.

Keywords: Eastern Thrace, Keşan lignite mine, foreign investors, Gelibolu, Ibrice Port.

The fulltext of this article can be purchased on CEEOL: https://www.ceeol.com/search/journal-detail?id=125