II. Constitutional Period in the light of the reports of Meclis-i Vükela (1908-1914)

With the foundation of the Ottoman Empire, an institution was needed to undertake legislative, judicial and executive functions. Due to this necessity, İmperial Council, which is currently named as Council of Ministers, had emerged. The institution was based on the unity of forces. From the second half of the 17th century, the institution had begun to lose its function and was abolished during 2nd Mahmut period. After abolishment, a new institution was formed to fulfill the executive function in which the ministers participated. In the documents, the new institution are cited by many different names such as Encümen-i Mahsus, Meclis-i Hass-ı Vükela, Meclis-i Âlî-i Vükela. The establisment date of the institution wasn't clear due to gradual establisment. The institution was convened under the presidency of the Grand Vizier. In the early periods, there was no regulation to identify the working order of the institution but in the 2nd Constitutional period, the duties, powers and responsibilities of the council were determined with the Ottoman Basic Law and Counsil of Ministers was made responsible to the Chamber of Deputies. After 29 years of suspension period, Ottoman Basic Law was re-announced on 24 July 1908 and was remained in effect until it was liquidated by Sultan Vahdettin on 11 April 1920. This period was named as 2nd Second Constitutional Period in Ottoman history. During this period in which the concept of party and parliament came to the forefront. Some changes were made on Ottoman Basic Law on 8 August 1909 and the powers of the Sultan were reduced to a symbolic level and management of the Ottoman Empire had been left to Counsil of Ministers. Counsil of Ministers had taken into account not only the political issues but also social, economic, military and religious issues, and had a say in the fate of the country in all respects. During the period from 1908 to 1914, that was called the first part of the 2nd Constitutional Period and continued until the beginning of World War I, legislative change of the Counsil of Ministers that determined the fate of the country and the experiences lived in country due to decisions taken in parliament constitutes the content of our thesis.