Young Turk Revolution

Quick Facts: Who was Young Turk Revolution?

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Young Turk Revolution

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Constitutionalist revolution in the Ottoman Empire restoring rule of law.

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Origins & Early Life

The Young Turk Revolution (July 1908; Turkish: Jön Türk Devrimi) was a constitutionalist revolution in the Ottoman Empire. Revolutionaries belonging to the Internal Committee of Union and Progress (CUP), an organization of the Young Turks movement, forced Sultan Abdul Hamid II to restore the Constitution, recall the parliament, and schedule an election. Thus began the Second Constitutional Era which lasted from 1908–1912 and also the Turkish Revolution, an era of political instability and social change which lasted for more than four decades. The revolution took place in Ottoman Rumeli in the context of the Macedonian Struggle and the increasing instability of the Hamidian regime. It began with CUP member Ahmed Niyazi's flight into the Albanian highlands.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He was soon joined by İsmail Enver, Eyub Sabri, and other Unionist officers. They networked with local Albanians and utilized their connections within the Salonica based Third Army to instigate a large revolt. A string of assassinations by Unionist Fedai also contributed to Abdul Hamid's capitulation. Though the constitutional regime established after the revolution eventually succumbed to Unionist dictatorship by 1913, the Ottoman sultanate ceased to be the base of power in Turkey after 1908. Immediately after the revolution, Bulgaria declared independence from the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary's annexation of nominal Ottoman territory sparked the Bosnian Crisis.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After an attempted monarchist uprising known as the 31 March incident in favor of Abdul Hamid the following year, he was deposed and his half-brother Mehmed V ascended the throne. Sultan Abdul Hamid II was brought to the throne in August 1876 after a series of palace coups by constitutionalist ministers overthrew first his uncle Abdul Aziz, and then his half-brother Murad V. Under duress, he promulgated a constitution and held elections for a parliament. However, with the unsuccessful war with Russia which ended in 1878, he suspended enforcement of the constitution and prorogued parliament. After further consolidating his rule by purging the Young Ottomans he governed as an absolutist monarch for the next three decades. This left a very small group of individuals able to partake in politics in the Ottoman Empire.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1876: 1876 Milestone — Sultan Abdul Hamid II was brought to the throne in August 1876 after a series of palace coups by constitutionalist ministers overthrew first his uncle Abdul Aziz, and then his half-brother Murad V.
2. 1878: 1878 Milestone — However, with the unsuccessful war with Russia which ended in 1878, he suspended enforcement of the constitution and prorogued parliament.
3. 1908: 1908 Milestone — The Young Turk Revolution (July 1908; Turkish: Jön Türk Devrimi) was a constitutionalist revolution in the Ottoman Empire.
4. 1913: 1913 Milestone — Though the constitutional regime established after the revolution eventually succumbed to Unionist dictatorship by 1913, the Ottoman sultanate ceased to be the base of power in Turkey after 1908.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Young Turk Revolution

True or False: “The Young Turk Revolution immediately established a stable, lasting constitutional monarchy for the entire Ottoman Empire.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Although it began the Second Constitutional Era (1908–1912), this period was marked by significant political instability and eventually succumbed to Unionist dictatorship.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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Frequently Asked Questions about Young Turk Revolution