the beginnings of ottoman-german partnership - Bilkent University

CHAPTER TWO:
THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE AFTER THE REVOLUTION OF 1908
A. Domestic Affairs
The CUP had to persuade the people in Istanbul and Anatolia that the restoration of
the 1876 constitution was its own work and not that of the Sultan. Starting with the
arrival of the CUP leaders in Istanbul, though for the most part they concealed their
membership and identities, they tried to establish themselves in the public mind as
the real architects of the revolution and the resulting Constitutionalism. They also
began to think of what to do with the government. For the moment, they left the
government in the hands of the incumbent Grand Vizier, Said Paşa and did not
depose the Sultan. 52 Said Paşa, however, was not so willing to continue as Prime
Minister because the turmoil in İstanbul made it difficult for him to exercise full
authority. Additionally, when the imperial edict of Abdulhamid II concerning his
dedication to the constitutional regime specified that he would directly appoint the
ministers of War and Navy, the CUP objected, demanding that the Grand Vizier
choose these ministers, though Said Paşa supported the Sultan’s position. A group of
CUP leaders came to İstanbul from Salonica to discuss the issue with the Sultan and
the Grand Vizier, but the only result was that Said Paşa was compelled to resign on
52 The reasons for leaving them in their posts were: The sultan was good at manipulating public
opinion; if the CUP deposed him he could change the situation in his own favor. Secondly, the CUP
leaders were not experienced as politicians and they were too young to hold authority in people’s
eyes. “Age and seniority were very important preconditions for authority in Ottoman society and the
Young Turks”. Zürcher, p.98.
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