Abdulhamid II's Young Turk policy

The most notable political struggle between the ruling power and the opposition in the Ottoman Empire and perhaps a turning point in Turkish modernization was the conflict between Sultan Abdulhamid II and the Young Turks. The Young Turks, products of the state's modern education system, opposed Sultan Abdulhamid II, whom they had helped bring to power, with a notably harsh stance from abroad. The Young Ottomans, who constituted the initial formation of the Young Turks, reluctantly agreed to support Abdulhamid II's ascension to the throne to implement their objectives. The struggle between the ruling power and the opposition began when the Young Turks demanded the declaration of a constitutional regime. In this political struggle, Abdulhamid II, utilizing all means at his disposal, tried to suppress the Young Turk opposition through persuasion, pressure, and force. However, the Young Turks, dissatisfied with the rule of the sultan they had brought to power, soon began to challenge him to remove him from the throne. This study seeks to examine the political struggle between Sultan Abdulhamid II and the Young Turks from his perspective. Having personally witnessed palace intrigues and the fates of deposed sultans since his princely years, and never being considered a likely heir to the throne, Sultan Abdulhamid II remained somewhat in the background. Within the framework set by this study, we analyze Abdulhamid II's policies against the Young Turks whom he perceived as threats to his throne and rule striving to maintain an objective perspective. These policies are examined in terms of those aimed at conciliation, intimidation, and cultural initiatives.