Transcription and evaluation of the r. 25 Kanun-i sani 1330 - 21 şubat 1330 (07.02.1915 - 06.03.1915) dated transactions of the general assembly of the Aydin province

Local government in Ottoman Empire was based on administrative reforms of the Tanzimat Era. Foundations of local government understanding of modern Turkey were build on and developed from these reforms. Recognition of the local government understanding was not smooth in the Ottoman Empire which had had a strong central government tradition. In the modern world local governments have an importance because of cultural, political, social and economical aspects as well as governmentality. They are also an indicator and symbol for the presence and validity of democracy. Decentralization (adem-i merkeziyet), other denomination of local government is the term used in administartive science. As in the whole world, in the Ottoman Empire too, local governments were formed in order to fullfilment of some certain public necessities which are otherwise difficult to be satisfied by the central government. In addition to these necessities effects of social developments and participation of citizens in administrative process caused the rise of a need for local governments and its development. In this study, decisions of the General Provincial Assemblies which were operating in a way similar to modern local governments were tried to be examined. General Provincial Assemblies provides important clues about the needs of provinces and taken precautions for these needs. However, too fewer of these decisions were discovered so far. For this reason 1331 (1915-16) Decisions of the General Assembly of Aydın Province which will be handled in this study carries enormous importance. Evaluation of the Assembly's decisions which were reached in meetings and also the original texts were given in Appendix. In this study use of already published but nonetheless neglected sources have been objected. KeyWords:1915, Aydın Province, Aydın, Aydın Provincial Assembly, Assembly Decisions.