First Constitutional Era facts for kids
The First Constitutional Era was a short but important time in the Ottoman Empire. It was when the Empire tried to have a government with a constitution and a parliament, instead of just one ruler. This period began on December 23, 1876, and ended on February 14, 1878.
This new way of governing was pushed by a group called the Young Ottomans. They wanted the Empire to have a government more like those in Europe. They were not happy with the old ways of the Tanzimat reforms.
The era started when Sultan Abdulaziz was removed from power. Sultan Abdul Hamid II then became the new ruler. However, this new system did not last long. Sultan Abdul Hamid II eventually stopped the parliament and the constitution. He then brought back his own absolute monarchy, where he had all the power.
During this time, there were no political parties like we have today. The Ottoman Parliament, also known as the General Assembly of the Ottoman Empire, was meant to be the voice of the people. It was not a place for different political groups to form.
The Parliament had two main parts, like many governments today:
- The Chamber of Deputies was the lower house. It had 115 members. These members represented different groups of people, called millets, from across the Empire. In the second elections, there were 69 Muslim representatives and 46 representatives from other groups, like Jews, Phanariotes, and Armenians.
- The Senate was the upper house. It had only 26 members, and the Sultan chose them. The leader of the Senate was the Grand Vizier, who was like the Sultan's chief minister.
The members of the Chamber of Deputies were first chosen by local councils in the provinces. Then, these local members selected the deputies who would go to the capital to form the Chamber of Deputies.
First Parliament Term (1877)
The first parliament met in 1877. Its members had strong opinions, especially about the upcoming Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878). Because of these strong reactions, Sultan Abdul Hamid II decided to call for new elections.
Second Parliament Term (1878)
The second term of the parliament was very short, lasting only a few days. After members from the Balkan regions gave their first speeches, Sultan Abdul Hamid II closed the parliament. He said there was too much social unrest.
The president of the Chamber of Deputies during this time was Yusif Dia Pasha Al Khalidi, who was a deputy from Jerusalem.
Important People
- Mehmed Rushdi Pasha
- Ahmed Vefik Pasha
- Hussein Avni Pasha
- Midhat Pasha
- Suleiman Pasha
See Also
- Second Constitutional Era
- Constitutional history of Turkey
- Elections in the Ottoman Empire
