The Ottoman Constitution: A Promise Of Change

The Ottoman Constitution of 1876 was the first and only constitution of the Ottoman Empire, in effect from 1876 to 1878, and then again from 1908 to 1922. It was written by members of the Young Ottomans, notably Midhat Pasha, during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. The constitution was a significant document as it was the first written constitution in the Muslim world, and it served as a symbol of freedom for the Young Turks. The document addressed various aspects, including the rights and liberties of Ottoman citizens, the structure of government, and the sovereignty of the Sultan.

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It was the first constitution of the Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Constitution of 1876 was the first and only constitution of the Ottoman Empire. It was in effect from 1876 to 1878 during the First Constitutional Era, and again from 1908 to 1922 during the Second Constitutional Era. The constitution was written by members of the Young Ottomans, particularly Midhat Pasha, during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. It was promulgated on 23 December 1876 and was considered a symbol of freedom by the Young Turks.

The Ottoman Constitution of 1876 was significant as the first written constitution in the Muslim world. It was influenced by the Armenian National Constitution of 1863, drafted by Western-educated Armenians of the Ottoman Empire. The 1876 constitution was drafted by Western-educated Ottoman Armenian Krikor Odian, who served as an advisor to Midhat Pasha. The document was originally written in Ottoman Turkish using the Perso-Arabic script, with translations prepared in multiple languages, including "Oriental-style" and "Western-style" versions.

The constitution addressed various aspects of governance and public life in the Ottoman Empire. It established Constantinople as the capital of the empire and affirmed the indivisibility of the empire's territories. It outlined the sovereign rights of the Sultan, including the appointment and revocation of ministers, the conferral of grades and functions, and the conferral of insignia and orders. The constitution also provided for the protection of property rights, freedom from expropriation except for public utility reasons, and the inviolability of the domicile. It mandated that all Ottomans be admitted to public office based on their aptitudes, merit, and capacity. Additionally, it emphasised the importance of education, making primary education obligatory for all Ottomans.

The Ottoman Constitution of 1876 included provisions for a legislative body known as the General Assembly, consisting of two chambers: the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. It outlined the roles and procedures for these bodies, including the process for examining and approving laws. The constitution also established the position of the Grand Vizier, who received approved laws from the Senate for transmission to the Sultan.

It was influenced by the Armenian National Constitution

The Ottoman Constitution of 1876 was the first and only constitution of the Ottoman Empire. It was written by members of the Young Ottomans, particularly Midhat Pasha, during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. The constitution was introduced after a series of reforms were promulgated in 1839 during the Tanzimat era, which lasted until 1876. The goal of the Tanzimat era was to reform the Ottoman Empire under the auspices of Westernization.

In the context of these reforms, Western-educated Armenians of the Ottoman Empire drafted the Armenian National Constitution in 1863. The Armenian National Constitution set the parameters for Armenian life in the Ottoman Empire for years to come. It provided a major preceding moment for the Ottoman Constitution of 1876, which was directly influenced by it and its authors. The Armenian National Constitution was drafted by a few key figures, including Kirkor Odyan (or Krikor Odian), who was an advisor to Midhat Pasha. Other important figures included Nigoğos Balyan, Hagop Balyan, and Nahabed Rusinyan. Most of these men had been educated abroad.

The Armenian National Constitution was the result of a constitutional movement that picked up steam when an imperial edict was issued on 7 May 1847, ordering the millet to elect two separate and independent governing bodies: a civic council and a spiritual council. After the 1856 Reform Edict, which contained a clause about the reorganization of the non-Muslim millets of the empire, the constitutionalists leveraged the governing bodies to elect a Constitutional Committee on 30 June 1855. A first text of the constitution was submitted as a draft in 1857, but this was rejected by the Sublime Porte (Ottoman government). The constitutional committee continued its work, and the Armenian National Constitution was eventually approved by the Armenian committee and ratified by the Sultan in 1863.

The Armenian National Constitution was approved in a version that had been heavily edited by the Sultan. The copy held in the Zohrab Information Center’s library is full of comments and corrections, suggesting that it was heavily influenced by the Ottoman government. This version set the parameters for Armenian life in the Ottoman Empire for years to come, though it was not always followed directly. It provided a major precedent for the Ottoman Constitution of 1876, which was also translated into multiple languages and released simultaneously in various newspapers. The Armenian National Constitution's influence can be seen in the Ottoman Constitution's affirmation of the equality of all Ottoman subjects, including their right to serve in the new Chamber of Deputies, and its proclamation of Ottomanism and Ottoman patriotism.

It was written by Western-educated Ottoman Armenian Krikor Odian

The Ottoman Constitution of 1876 was the first and only constitution of the Ottoman Empire. It was in effect from 1876 to 1878 during the First Constitutional Era and again from 1908 to 1922 during the Second Constitutional Era. The constitution was written by members of the Young Ottomans, a group that sought to bring about real reform through concrete action. One of the key members of this group was Midhat Pasha, who is particularly noted for his role in drafting the constitution.

Pasha was advised by Western-educated Ottoman Armenian Krikor Odian, who is credited with drawing up the Ottoman Constitution of 1876. Odian's work was influenced by the Armenian National Constitution, which had been drafted in 1863 by Western-educated Armenians of the Ottoman Empire. The Armenian National Constitution is said to have inspired the desire for constitutional government among a small segment of the Ottoman elite, who believed it would be a desirable check on autocracy and provide them with a better opportunity to influence policy.

The Ottoman Constitution of 1876 was introduced after a series of reforms during the Tanzimat era, which lasted from 1839 to 1876. This period was marked by an effort to reform the Ottoman Empire under the auspices of Westernization. The goal was to address the failures of the military and distribute power from the Sultan to a newly formed government led by a parliament.

The constitution included provisions such as the indivisibility of the Ottoman Empire, with Istanbul as its capital, and the sovereignty of the Sultan as the Supreme Caliph and protector of the Muslim religion. It also mandated obligatory primary education for all Ottomans and outlined the process for modifying the constitution in cases of proven necessity. The constitution established the Chamber of Deputies, which gained power at the expense of the Sultan and the appointed Senate following the political downfall of Sultan Abdul Hamid II in the 31 March Incident.

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It was the first written constitution in the Muslim world

The Ottoman Constitution of 1876 was the first written constitution in the Muslim world. It was in effect from 1876 to 1878, in what became known as the First Constitutional Era, and again from 1908 to 1922 in the Second Constitutional Era. The constitution was written by members of the Young Ottomans, particularly Midhat Pasha, during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. It was promulgated after a series of reforms that began in 1839 during the Tanzimat era, which sought to reform the Ottoman Empire under the auspices of Westernization. The document was originally written in Ottoman Turkish using Perso-Arabic script and was simultaneously published in multiple languages, including "Oriental-style" and "Western-style" versions.

The Ottoman Constitution of 1876 was a significant political milestone, symbolizing freedom and serving as the culmination point of the nineteenth-century reforms. These reforms had a wide-ranging impact on public life, including the modernization of the armed forces, civilian bureaucracy, and taxation system. The constitution guaranteed the liberty and property rights of members of the Imperial Ottoman dynasty and ensured that all Ottomans were admitted to public office based on their aptitudes, merit, and capacity. It also established Constantinople as the capital of the Ottoman Empire, asserting that it did not possess any exclusive privileges or immunities.

The document included provisions for the protection of individual rights and the inviolability of the domicile, ensuring that authorities could not forcibly enter a person's home except in cases determined by law. It mandated that no one could be forced to appear before any tribunal other than the competent tribunal according to the law of procedure. Additionally, it prohibited the confiscation of property, corvee, and djerimi (a form of exaction or fining).

The constitution also addressed education, stipulating that primary education would be obligatory for all Ottomans, with the details of application to be specified by a special law. This provision reflected the progressive nature of the reforms, recognizing the importance of education for all citizens.

The Ottoman Constitution of 1876 was a groundbreaking document in the Muslim world, marking a significant step towards constitutional governance and embodying the ideals of freedom and reform. Its influence extended beyond its period of enforcement, shaping political aspirations and serving as a model for subsequent constitutional efforts.

It was in effect from 1876 to 1878

The Ottoman Constitution of 1876 was in effect for just two years, from 1876 to 1878. It was the empire's first and only constitution, written by members of the Young Ottomans, including Midhat Pasha and his advisor, Krikor Odian. It was also the first written constitution in the Muslim world.

The constitution was introduced after a series of reforms during the Tanzimat era, which lasted from 1839 to 1876. The goal of the Tanzimat era was to reform the Ottoman Empire under the auspices of Westernization. The constitution was directly influenced by the Armenian National Constitution of 1863, which was drafted by Western-educated Armenians of the Ottoman Empire.

The Ottoman Constitution of 1876 was seen as a symbol of freedom by the Young Turks, though it was considered weak in terms of liberty. It guaranteed the liberty and property of the members of the Imperial Ottoman dynasty and admitted all Ottomans to public office based on merit. It also made primary education obligatory for all Ottomans.

The constitution established Constantinople as the capital of the Ottoman Empire and asserted the indivisibility of the empire's territories. It outlined the sovereign rights of the Sultan, including the prerogative to name and revoke ministers, confer functions and insignia, and give investiture to the chiefs of privileged provinces. It also established a system of deputies, with one deputy representing every 50,000 males of Ottoman nationality.

The constitution was temporarily suspended in 1878 when the Chamber of Deputies was closed, marking the end of the First Constitutional Era. It was later amended and put back into effect during the Second Constitutional Era, from 1908 to 1922.

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