THE 31 MARCH INCIDENT IN TURKISH POLITICAL LIFE AND THE ROLE OF THE COMMITTEE OF UNION AND PROGRESS

Abstract

The 31 March Incident is one of the important developments in the Ottoman-Turkish political life. This event, which emerged in Istanbul with the declaration of the Second Constitutional Era, first developed as a military revolt, but in time it became a religious state. As a result of the events that caused many soldiers and civilian casualties, Abdul Hamid II. was brought down from the throne and replaced by Mehmed Reşad V. The political thoughts that emerged with the announcement of the Second Constitutional Era caused different polarizations in the society. With the reflection of this tension in the society to the army, the school-sarcastic tension emerged within the army. The Committee of Union and Progress, which tried to provide political activity in this period, had an important share in the emergence of the 31 March Incident. The Committee of Union and Progress, which could not fully control the political administration despite the proclamation of the Constitution, caused an increase in political instability. This article examines the 31 March Incident caused by political tensions in society and the military, and discusses the effects of this event on Ottoman-Turkish political life.