Young Turks Takeover of the Ottoman Empire 1913 - Term Paper Example

?Young Turks Takeover of the Ottoman Empire in 1913 The dawn of the ancient empires, just like anything else, started from small beginnings. These were first known as cities, states, kingdoms, and then stretched to empires which were established with strong foundations. It is a well-known fact that empires were one of the core elements for the modernization of nations and states. In relation, one of the empires that are considered as essential parts of today’s government is the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire is considered as one of the greatest, long-term, and vast empire in history. The empire depicted stability and strength as it continued to widen its occupation. Moreover, the emergence of the Committee for Union and Progress, or most commonly known by many historians as Young Turks, played a significant role in the last years of the empire. In line with this, this paper will dwell on the takeover of the Young Turks of the Ottoman Empire in 1913. The Ottoman Empire was established during the late thirteenth century and lasted even after the First World War. The territories of the empire were vast, which included most of the eastern Roman Empire, a few parts of the north Balkans, and north coast of the Black Sea. Moreover, the Ottoman Turks were composed of different groups of people who shared the Turkic language. These people were scattered throughout the west area of Central Asia from the ninth to the eleventh century.1 The other states associated with the Ottoman Empire, which include Europe, are tied beyond commercial activities and military crusade. The empire used religion and complimented the laws, tax, and political structure to Islamic ideologies and law. It is safe to say that the empire mostly banked on the central-Asians tradition, along with incorporating Persian and Arab legacies. These different legacies allowed the Ottoman Empire to stand strong for half of a millennium. The convergence of laws and religion in the empire was seen as a resurrection of the Byzantine Empire, though it was perceived as deformed.2 In retrospect, the Ottoman state was considered as one of the small states in Turkey. These states came into being during the fall of the Seljuk Turks. The small Ottoman state then started to create a link with other states, which brought all other dynasties to merge into one during the reign of Muhammad II. Furthermore, most of the parts of the Ottoman Empire were successors of the Byzantine Empire, which became a crucial part for the success of the empire. The Ottomans advantageous hold with the Bosporus and the Dardanelles became their buffer between the Latins in the West and Muslims in the Middle East. Nonetheless, the Byzantine was already weakened by the Fourth Crusade and the Western invasion.3 During the expansion of the Ottoman Empire, the leaders were Osman I, followed by Orkhan, next was Murad I, and Beyazid I. During the expansion, Bursa fell into the hands of the Ottoman Empire along with the Adrianople, which both became a capital of the empire. Furthermore, the triumph over the Nikopol and the Kosovo Field by the empire stirred danger on the part of Europe.4 On the other hand, before the start of the World War I, the Ottoman Empire was already facing conflicts within its governance. One of the most prominent conflicts was the emergence of the Committee for Union and Progress, or group who is best known as the Young Turks. Furthermore, along with the emergence of the Young Turks is the development of nationalism in the countries and states of the empire.5 During the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II in the Ottoman Empire, he was considered as hard ruler. For this reason, the dispute between the Turks and the Armenian ignited. In 1877, Russia fought the Ottoman Empire in order to take hold of the Balkan Peninsula to be able to access the Mediterranean Sea for trade and transport. However, in the course of transaction, the Treaty of San Stefano, which allowed the Russian to gain access to a few parts of the Balkan Peninsula, was created. Nonetheless, the Europeans were troubled by the empire’s decision which was considered as cause to the increase of influence by the Russians. With this on hand, the Russians were forced to change the Treaty of San Stefano to the Treaty of Berlin.6 In another light, during the war between Russia and the Ottoman Empire, most of the troops of Russia were stationed in Armenia. This was because Russians were known to be defenders of the Armenian Christians, and this became unfavorable to the Ottomans, especially to Sultan Abdul Hamid II. Furthermore, in 1890, the Armenians started to demand protection from the Ottoman government which was stipulated in the Treaty of Berlin. Equal treatment and lower taxes were the upfront demands of the Armenians, and during this time, the Armenians started to show Armenian nationalism. Also, amidst the spark of nationalism of the Armenians, they were slowly educated by the American Protestant missionaries in terms of equality and nationalism. However, the Turks did the opposite, and during 1894-1896, the Armenians were constantly attacked by the Ottoman forces in order to lower their morale. Armenian properties were taken, and almost 300,000 Armenians were killed during those years. On the other hand, aside from the oppressed Armenians, there was still a rise in the population of the white-collared jobs. Many poor families were given sufficient jobs. Also, the press mostly published ideas in relation to science, politics, and Western ideologies, which allowed the students to envision a vast universe.7 In addition, the continuous oppression and reign in power of Sultan Abdul Hamid II brought to light the non-Turkish Muslim group of young students, exiled journalists, and publishers. On the year 1889, small groups of students, some from medical schools and other exiled professionals started to build groups who opposed the current governance of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. This group was formally named as the Committee for Union and Progress (CUP) or the Young Turk, and the members were composed of different people with differing plans and foundations. The committee was spearheaded by Ahmed Riza Bey, who was profoundly influenced by the atheist, Darwinist, and positivist ideologies in France where he was sent to study agriculture. He published the journal Mesveret, which was used to impart the constitution the CUP demanded. Ahmed Riza Bey was also joined by Mizanci Murad Bey who was also a publisher of the Mizan journal. He was educated in Caucasus and Russian and came to Istanbul to work. He was employed in the school of Civil Administration and during those times, he adopted Islamic unity and liberalism. They were both joined by an Ottoman prince, Sabahaddin, who also supported liberal plans and decentralization. However, his ideologies opposed Ahmed Riza, which sprouted a new faction of the CUP. Prince Sabahaddin favored the autonomy among the Armenians and welcomed the Britain. Nonetheless, the fraction melted down in 1902, and the CUP was joined by the young Ottoman officers who were serving in Macedonia.8 In 1908, the CUP, seizing the Macedonia along with the support of the Edirne and the Salonika army, demanded a change and restoration of the 1876 constitution. To gain temporary surrender, the Sultan created a new parliament in accordance to the request if the CUP. This was also supported by many Christians, Jews and Muslims who considered the act as a new covenant of brotherhood.9 Nonetheless, the expected democracy was still not on hand. The CUP used their position to control political issues on hand. Many opposed their dominion over the government as many had seen that they were slowly revolutionizing dictatorship. With this opposition, a group was formed against the CUP under the name of League of Muhammad, with the support of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. In the long run, the group succeeded in removing from power the CUP; however, the considered triumph of the ultra-Muslims was short-lived. After eleven days, the CUP reacquired power and exiled the Sultan.10 During the revolution ignited by the CUP, a restoration in the current state of the empire was needed, and the committee envisioned a parliamentary, democratic government. They had sought to have leaders who are responsible and bureaucratic. They wanted a reform which fought against the Europeans who intervened with the activities of the empire. However, during the seat of the CUP, almost none of its goals were realized; this was due to the fact that they wanted to conserve the current empire and allow it to build it to survive. They had viewed themselves as saviors and not as liberals. Also, they did not put down the current regime but they focused on rebuilding it instead of creating new governance; there was only the act of restoration. Also, the emergence of the Young Turks brought forth the new and radical regime, and this was the one-party rule.11 In the years 1908 to 1918, the CUP became an Ottoman program and a secularist one, as well. However, it promoted the Turkish orientation, and as education was widespread during the time of the Young Turks, they have used the government’s assets to Turkify the entire country. During the 80s, the nation was considered as an Arab and Turkish Ottoman grounds. However, the Young Turks have decided to turn the nation around, and it has used language to turn the nation into a Turkish nation. During the late Ottoman era, under the Young Turks, the loyalty to the Ottoman Empire and the Islam has been considered as a patriotic act. In 1909, the Young Turks had implemented the secular constitution and centralization of the empire. The coup against the government was successful under the leadership of Enver Pasha, Jemal Pasha, and Talat Pasha. The three leaders took the high governmental positions as Talat Pasha became the minister of interior, Enver Pasha as the minister of war, and Jemal Pasha as the minister of marine affairs.12 Also, during this time, the Young Turks considered and used education as a tool for reform. They believe that formal and informal education among the Ottomans will enlighten the people, in comparison to the training of military staff. The reform in education by the CUP included adding private schools and offering night classes and the hiring efficient teachers. It also pushed in educating students and scholars in Europe, publication of books, and aid to agriculture, commerce, and industry. Many schools were opened across the country, and the funds of these projects were from donations. Furthermore, readership was encouraged by the government even in the far flung areas. Local newspapers and other written materials were distributed in the Ottoman society. However, many publications were slowly moving toward the opposite direction from the CUP.13 On the other hand, in the beginning of the twentieth century, the Ottoman Empire slowly weakened. This was brought by the independence gained by Albania, Bulgaria, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Also, more Armenian Christians were educated in comparison to other Turkish countries. During this time, a new war has been siege towards Europe which significantly involves Turkey. Furthermore, the Balkan wars emerged that were fought against the Ottoman Empire. The first Balkan war was staged on 1913 which was ended by the creation of the Treaty of Bucharest. Furthermore, the second Balkan was ended by the Treaty of Istanbul.14 Nonetheless, after the war, the CUP again seized power through engaging in a coup d’etat in 1913. It brought the Parliamentary under its control, which eventually allowed a partial recovery of the empire from the Balkan Wars. It had created a stronger coalition with Germany and declined its allegiance with France and Great Britain. This led the Ottoman Empire to engage to war against the latter. Along with this, the CUP had promoted the Pan-Turkism, which invoked challenge to Russia. Nonetheless, in 1914, the World War I started, and with this, CUP integrated the Ottoman state to the ideologies of the Turkish people.15 In the time of the World War I, the Armenians were subjected to genocide on policies by the Young Turks in the Ottoman Empire. This has been considered as the turning point of oppression and aggression experienced by the Armenian Christians on the hands of the Turks.16 This was done in order for the empire to extend its Turanian islands, which were mostly parts of Iran and Russia. The Armenians were the target because they were considered as the most vulnerable groups in the strategic areas identified by the Turks. The plot of the Armenian Genocide was created in the beginning of the war. Nonetheless, the murder of the Armenians already started prior to the final deportation of the Armenians in 1915. It started with the murder of the male soldiers who were part of the Ottoman army. Also, the elimination of the Armenians brought about financial stability and power to the state.17 Nonetheless, the Ottomans were defeated during the World War I. The CUP was already knowledgeable that they were held responsible of the war crimes they have staged the CUP ministers immediately resigned from their positions. The resignation was done during the signing of the Armistice of Modrus. Most of the leaders moved and went outside the country, and others who were left hid from the community. Nonetheless, there were still officials on the second rank who were prosecuted as individuals, and the CUP party was charged with massacre and conspiracy of crimes. On the other hand, the main culprits were only convicted in a trial in absentia. The Armenians were not contented with the verdict, and along with this group was created in order to find those main culprits and execute them. The group, which was named as Armenian Revolutionary Federation, vowed to find the remaining culprits and persecute them.18 According to Kalgoorlie Western Argus (March 18, 1913), there have been biases during the time of regime of the Young Turks. Also, Reform was not put to power during their time, which led the Turkish people to suffer from the effects of it. The CUP was considered as a group who blanketed their hunger for power with agenda on reform and equality. The death of their countrymen has been considered as an effect of the people who are not only hungry for power, but were also thirsty of dominion over others. Many saw the Ottoman Empire as an important part of the history of the world. It has been one of the strongest foundations of the creation or establishment of the states and countries of the modern times. Also, some of the most essential learning and experiences in relation to politics and governmental decisions have been set by the Ottoman Empire. Nonetheless, this has been supplemented with different activities that led to deaths and the oppression of many. The Young Turks or the CUP had played a significant role in the last years of the Ottoman Empire which also brought about change in the perspective of leadership and autonomy in the modern age. The CUP will leave a historical mark following the fall of one of the greatest and long-standing empires in the history. References Adalian, Rouben Paul. 2012. Young Turks and the Armenian Genocide. Armenian National Institute. Accessed November 11, http://www.armenian-genocide.org/ young_turks.html. Agoston, Gabor, and Bruce Masters. 2009. Encyclopedia of the Ottoman Empire. New York: Facts on File. Dalal, Roshen. 2012. The Illustrated Timeline of the History of the World. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. Duiker, William J., and Jackson J, Spielvogel. 2011. The Essential World History. 6th ed. Boston, MA: Wadsworth. Freedman, Jeri. 2009. The Armenian Genocide. New York: The Rosen Publishing Groups, Inc. Goffman, Daniel. 2002. The Ottoman Empire and Early Modern Europe. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Hovannisian, Richard. 2008. The Armenian Genocide.New Jersey: Transaction Publishers. Kasaba, Resat, ed. 2008. The Cambridge History of Turkey. New York: Cambridge University Press. Kayal, Hasan. 1997. Arabs and Young Turks. California: University of California Press. Peretz, Don. 1994. The Middle East Today. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers. Quataert, Donald. 2005. The Ottoman Empire 100-1922. 2nd ed. New York: Cambridge University Press. Stokes, Jamie, ed. 2000. Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East. New York: Facts on File. Zaide, Gregorio, F. 1994. History in an Asian Setting. Quezon City, Philippines: Rex Book Store. Read More