Sultan Mahmud II initiated a modernization campaign known as the Tanzimat in the Ottoman Empire during the early 19th century. This reform movement aimed to modernize the empire in order to strengthen its hold over its territories and address internal challenges, including military inefficiencies and administrative corruption. Key reforms included the establishment of new legal codes, educational systems, and a reformed military. The Tanzimat sought to centralize authority, reduce the power of local leaders, and promote equality among all subjects, regardless of religion. While facing resistance, these reforms laid the groundwork for future attempts at modernization and Westernization in the empire.