In the 19th century, Ottomanism was a nationalist re-defining of who was an Ottoman to all ethnicities in the empire. Ottoman empire always had diverse groups of people in it – Armenian Christian, Jews, Balkan Christians and Muslims. The millet system which allowed self –government of local communities and Sultan had limited power over these communities . As the Ottoman Empire declines, extending citizenship is seen as a way to strengthen the empire. It becomes the policy of the government. In the beginning, the Young Ottomans are supporters of this, later this will change.