In the long and turbulent history of the Ottoman Empire, profound transformations have taken place with the combination of many internal and external factors. One of the most obvious of these transformations is the radical changes that took place in the administrative structure of the state. The regime change process in the Ottoman Empire emerged as a result of a long-term struggle and various reform movements.
The first important step of the modernization efforts in the Ottoman Empire was taken with the Tanzimat Edict declared in 1839. This edict aimed to adapt to Western civilization by promising equality and justice to all subjects of the state.
With the Tanzimat Edict, important reforms were made in the political, social and economic fields in the Ottoman Empire. However, these reforms were not enough to change the basic structure of the state and did not yield the expected results.
As it was seen that the Tanzimat was insufficient, more radical changes began to be demanded in the Ottoman Empire. In line with these demands, in 1876, II. Constitutional monarchy was declared by Abdulhamid. With the Constitutional Monarchy, the first Ottoman Parliament was opened and an attempt was made to establish a system of government based on the representation of the people. However, II. Abdulhamid closed the parliament in a short time and passed to an absolute administration.
1. Constitutional Monarchy Causes and Consequences
The foundations of constitutional rule and the transition to constitutional monarchy in the Ottoman Empire were laid within the framework of modernization and the search for adaptation to the West. 1. The weakening authority of the State and the increasing internal problems were an important reason for the proclamation of the Constitutional Monarchy .
The pressure of Europe and the interests of the Western powers on the Ottoman Empire were also a factor that encouraged the declaration of constitutional rule. Ottoman intellectuals believed that reforms were needed to save and strengthen the country, and they thought that the constitutional monarchy would be an important part of this process.
The reform movements that started with the Tanzimat Edict and the Edict of Reform eventually turned into an effort to create a constitution with a constitutional monarchy. The declaration of the 1st Constitutional Monarchy was an important step taken to ensure the participation of the people living in the Ottoman Empire in the administration.
The Constitution, which was declared in 1876, was accepted as the first constitution of the Ottoman Empire. This constitution provided for the establishment of a Meclis-i Mebusan (People’s Assembly) and Ayan Assembly, which controlled the powers of the sultan, albeit limited.
1. Who Declared the Constitutional Monarchy?
The 19th century of the Ottoman Empire. One of the most important of the profound transformations it experienced in the second half of the century was undoubtedly the proclamation of the constitutional monarchy . The pressure of the Western states, the demands for reform within the country and the desire for change in society led the empire to a new system of government. So, who declared the constitutional monarchy and what were the consequences of this declaration?
The Constitutional Monarchy was first established in the Ottoman Empire on December 23, 1876, during the reign of the Second World War. It was declared by Abdulhamid. However, this declaration is a process that took place as a result of the interaction of internal and external forces. Western states wanted the Ottoman Empire to make reforms in order to protect its territorial integrity and to ensure stability in the Balkans.
Internally, intellectuals known as the Young Ottomans struggled for Westernization and the establishment of a constitutional system of government. Under the influence of these two opposing forces, II. By declaring the constitutional monarchy, Abdulhamid aimed both to appease the opposition inside and to distract the foreign powers.
