Hüseyin Cahid: A reluctant unionist 1908-1918

In the 20th century Ottoman Empire became the cradle of concepts that were alienated to its public by Abdulhamid II such as constitution, liberty and constitutional monarchy. In July 1908 the Young Turks achieved to force their archenemy Sultan Abdulhamid II to restore 1876 Constitution and a new era began for the Ottoman Empire. The heroes of constitution, the Union and Progress assumed the role of vanguards of the new regime. The hopes of the Young Turks were devastated as the constitution turned out to be not a magical instrument besides the Ottoman Empire entered an era of political turmoil because of weak international and internal conditions. The new era started with shocks, the loss of Bulgaria and Bosnia-Herzegovina and continued with the loss of Tripoli and Balkans. Internal politics were no better, 31 March Incident, short-term governments and division among the Young Turks weakened the already weak Ottoman Empire. In such conditions the Union and Progress decorated itself with the role of a savior and claimed to have the formula to revive the crumbling Ottoman Empire. Within its ranks there were many intellectual and sincere patriots dedicated themselves to the ideals of the Union and Progress. Huseyin Cahid, a man of literature who became a parliamentarian and a journalist, emerged as a significant figure in this era, thanks to his newspaper Tanin. Huseyin Cahid was recognized as the spokesperson of the Union and Progress, however the thesis studied him from a different perspective, not as a dedicated but a reluctant Unionist. Even as a member of the Union and Progress, Huseyin Cahid did not hesitate criticizing his own political party and the Association of Union and Progress publicly. His critiques, dissatisfaction and reluctance resulted with his coercive or persuasive pacification. Key words: The Second Constitutional era, Sultan Abdulhamid II, Huseyin Cahid, the Association and the Political Party of Union and Progress, 31 March Incident, reluctant Unionist.