Committee of Union and Progress (İttihat ve Terakki) in the memoirs

Despite drawbacks, the memoirs in the studies of recent period history are the most significant resources. It is likely to meet a great amount of data which can't be encountered. In spite of this, it entails being cautious and meticulous while harnessing a kind of memoir because It includes information that might mislead the researcher. This study has been composed of four parts by using the memoirs of people having different standpoint in the political history and member of Committee of Union and Progress (İttihat ve Terakki). Apart from these parts, in the introductory, the political disturbance, from the Vienna Defeat of Ottoman Empire in 1683 to the period of Abdülhamid II that Ottoman Empire went through, has been tried to be cited. In the first part, along with the emergence of the term ' Young Turks' and the foundation of Committee of Union and Progress (İttihat ve Terakki), domestic and over sea activities, until proclamation of constitutional monarchy, have also been discussed. In the second part, the process of politicization with the onset of second proclamation of constitutional monarchy, on going conflicts following it, the 31 March Incident, the governments after the dethronement of Abdülhamid II and the event still 'Bâb-ı Âli Baskını' have been discussed. In the third part, it has been discussed about political events following total power –grab of Committee of Union and Progress (İttihat ve Terakki), distinguished unionist members in the Ottoman Empire who had to leave country after the first world war ended. Finally, in the fourth part, it has been discussed about the structure of Committee of Union and Progress (İttihat ve Terakki ), oath-taking ceremony for access to Committee and the income sources of the Committee. Keywords: Abdullah Cevdet, Cemal Paşa, Enver Paşa, İbrahim Temo, İshak Sükûti, Committee of Union and Progress, Talat Paşa