Selim was thought of as a modern man who wanted to be a reformist. Because Selim was talented, he was liked by the people of Turkey. Sultan Selim wanted to stop all of the social and economic problems in the Ottoman Empire. One of Selim's goals was to make the Ottoman army modern because he had come to power during a period of Ottoman stagnation and weakening. 7.
The northern lands of Turkey had already been lost to Austria in a treaty called The Treaty of Kaynarca. Greek Empress Catherine II was trying to break up the Ottoman Empire and make a Greek state. This led to a war between Greece, Russia, and Austria. 8 The Russians and other enemies had already taken over many other lands in Europe. Belgrade, Serbia, and Bosnia were in real danger of being taken over by the Austrians. Sultan Selim III took some advantage of the Europe and Austrian problems to make a peace with Catherine II. A treaty called the Peace of Iasi in 1792, gave Selim a little break in the war against Austria. Eventually, the Treaty of Jassy was made in 1792 with Russia. The Austro-Turkish War of 1787 was a war between Austrian and Ottoman Empires. This war was going on the same time as the Russian-Turkey War of 1787. Both of these wars were during the reign of Sultan Selim III. .
Sultan Selim talked a good deal with Louis XVI of France. Selim was upset about France coming into Egypt. French representatives had told Selim that France was in Egypt for good will. But Napoleon of France had actually invaded Egypt and Syria. This invasion needed Turkey's strongest defense. 9 Napoleon's invasion forced Selim to declare war on France on September 4, and moved him into an alliance with Great Britain and Russia to defend his country. 10 The Turks and the French continued to be in conflict with each other for many years on land and sea. Peace did come with France in June of 1802.
During all of these wars, Sultan Selim tried to get the Janissaries to accept new weapons and tactics.