The Armenian Commercial Houses and Merchant Networks in the 19th Century Ottoman Empire

Authors

Bedross Der Matossian, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2007

Citation

Turcica: Revue d'Études Turques - Peuples, langues, cultures, États 39 (2007), pp. 147-174.

Comments

Published by Peeters Publishing; http://poj.peeters-leuven.be/content.php?url=journal&journal_code=TURC

Abstract

The aim of this article is to provide a synopsis of the Armenian merchant networks and commercials houses in the Ottoman Empire during the 19th century with a specific concentration on Istanbul. It will discuss some factors that led to the proliferation and the decline of the Armenian merchant networks and commercial houses in the Empire. It will also argue that it is impossible to discuss geographic representations of merchant networks and commercial houses in the Empire as separate entities. On the contrary all were interconnected, not only economically, but also through kinship bonds. Other factors ranging from development of commercial education, mechanization, morality and deteriorating ethnic relationships will be discussed as important factors in the proliferation of these networks and commercial houses and their subsequent decline.