The 1913 Ottoman Coup
A critical examination of the raid on the Sublime Porte and its pivotal role in shaping the Ottoman Empire's final decades.
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Overview
Date and Location
The coup occurred on January 23, 1913, within the administrative heart of the Ottoman Empire, the Sublime Porte in Constantinople.
Immediate Result
The Committee of Union and Progress (CUP) successfully seized control, overthrowing the government led by Grand Vizier Kâmil Pasha. This led to the formation of a new CUP-backed government.
Impact on War
The coup directly influenced the ongoing First Balkan War. The new government withdrew from peace negotiations and resumed hostilities, aiming to regain lost territories, though ultimately unsuccessfully.
Context
Political Turmoil
The period was marked by intense political rivalry between the ruling CUP and opposition parties like the Freedom and Accord Party. Disputed elections in 1912, marred by fraud and violence (termed the "Election of Clubs"), heightened tensions and fueled opposition demands for change.
Military Discontent
A faction within the military, known as the "Savior Officers," organized against perceived injustices and political maneuvering. They supported the opposition and pressured the government, contributing to the instability that preceded the coup.
Balkan War Crisis
The disastrous performance in the First Balkan War created a national crisis. The government of Kâmil Pasha faced pressure to cede territory, including the historically significant city of Adrianople (Edirne), to Bulgaria. The Great Powers urged acceptance of these terms, further inflaming public and CUP sentiment.
Events
March on the Porte
On January 23, 1913, CUP leaders, including Enver Bey and Talaat Bey, led a group of armed supporters towards the Sublime Porte. Provocative speeches amplified public anger against Kâmil Pasha's government, accusing it of planning to surrender Adrianople.
Confrontation and Assassination
The coup participants stormed the government buildings. During the ensuing chaos and gunfire, Minister of War Nazım Pasha was killed by Yakub Cemil, a key CUP figure. Several others also lost their lives in the confrontation.
Forced Resignation
Enver Bey and Talaat Bey confronted Grand Vizier Kâmil Pasha in his office, forcing him at gunpoint to write his resignation letter to the Sultan. This act effectively transferred state power to the CUP.
Aftermath
New Government
Mahmud Shevket Pasha was appointed as the new Grand Vizier and Minister of War, leading a cabinet formed with CUP support. This marked the formal end of Kâmil Pasha's government and the beginning of CUP dominance.
Opposition Repression
Following the coup, the CUP intensified its suppression of political opposition. Leaders and members of the Freedom and Accord Party faced arrest, exile, or worse, solidifying the CUP's authoritarian control over the empire.
Foreign Policy Shift
The coup accelerated the Ottoman Empire's drift towards the German Empire. The CUP leadership, particularly Enver Bey, favored closer ties with Germany, a policy that would ultimately lead the empire into World War I on the side of the Central Powers.
Legacy
Rise of the Three Pashas
The coup effectively established the rule of the "Three Pashas"—Enver, Talaat, and Cemal Pasha. This triumvirate wielded immense power, steering the empire towards increasingly nationalist and centralizing policies, culminating in the events of World War I and the Armenian Genocide.
Historical Precedent
This event is often viewed as a significant moment in modern Turkish political history, demonstrating the effectiveness of military-backed coups in seizing power. It set a precedent that would echo in subsequent political transformations within the region.
Popularity Debate
Contemporary accounts and historical analysis suggest that the coup's popular support was limited, largely orchestrated through targeted speeches and a relatively small group of committed partisans rather than widespread public consensus. This raises questions about the true extent of popular backing for the CUP's actions.
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References
References
- Hasan Kayalı (1997) Arabs and Young Turks University of California Press
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