A prosopographic analysis of the Ottoman deputies of the First Constitutional period

The deputies, who were the main actors of the First Constitutional Period, the first parliamentary trial of the Ottoman Empire, is the focus of this study. With this thesis, it will be tried to put forward a prosopographic study based on the life stories, characteristics, identities, works and social circles of the members elected to the parliament. At the same time, this study will be an effort to oppose many presuppositions in the literature. Thanks to the special efforts of the Young Ottomans and Midhat Pasha, and with the Constitution of the Ottoman Empire (Kanun-ı Esasi), which was announced due to the conjuncture, a significant change was made in the Empire's management style, and a parliament was opened alongside the Sultan and the central bureaucracy, whose members would be elected by the people. Although the phenomenon of parliament seems to be the first attempt of the Ottomans on a national scale in theory, it actually passed through stages that can be counted as a preparatory stage over time. Especially since the Tanzimat period, the Ottomans were experienced in terms of elections and parliamentary functioning. Because after the increase in contact with abroad, other management styles in the world were now known. The provincial organization was reorganized. An assembly was opened in each of the provinces divided into units, and a significant part of the members of these assemblies were elected by the people. From the oldest to the youngest, most of the members of the First Constitutional Monarchy, who were the generation of the Tanzimat period, were among those who lived this experience most closely, as they had served in these assemblies or had been in the provinces governed by them. As a matter of fact, this accumulation would show itself from the moment they entered the parliament, and the competence of the deputies in the functioning of the parliament would be met with astonishment and admiration by both local and foreign observers. The assembly, which included members from almost every segment of society, from the wealthiest bankers to middle-class merchants and members of famous families to local middle-class civil servants, was also a mosaic of the multi-religious and linguistic structure of the Ottoman Empire. Despite all these differences, the members of the assembly, who came together on the common ground of Ottomanism and Turkish language, were involved in state affairs to an extent that was not expected of them and did not hesitate to oppose the central bureaucracy when necessary. As a matter of fact, while this harsh opposition was the most important reason for the closure of the parliament, this first parliamentary trial put forward by them became a source of inspiration for the Young Turks and the Union and Progress, and important bridges were built on the way to the Second Constitutional Monarchy.