Progressive Republican Party

This study examines the first opposition party ?Terakkiperver Cumhuriyet Fırkası(Progressive Republican Party)? which was established within the history of the TurkishRepublic. The study, by taking into consideration the political, economical and socialcircumstances of the specific periods before and after the announcement of the TurkishRebublic, tried to designate, whom had established this opposition party, what were theirpolitical views, what were their utmost goals, whether they had sincere beliefs regardingrepublican regime.İn order to designate these matters, we benefitted from the party?s programme, party?sorganization regulations and founders speaches, criticism regarding the republicangovernment which were officaly recorded within the Turkish Grand National AssemblyMinutes. Aside from these sources, within the process which led to realization of therepublic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk?s book, called ?Nutuk? was quite beneficial interms ofpresenting and enlightening all the events which took place during this period. As astatesman, a military commander and an engineer of the Turkish Republic, he played amajor leading role with both the announcement of the Turkish Republic and realization ofthe radical reforms which changed the destiny of the country. As a man who createdhistory and wrote it, his interpretation of events and political people are very importantsource of information.The opposition party had famous founders such as General Kazım Karabekir, Sir Rauf(Orbay), Sir Refet (Bele), Sir Ali Fuat (Cebesoy), Doctor Adnan (Adıvar) and they allshared the similiar political view which favoured ?sultanic and caliphatic rule(monarchy)?. Also their party programme reflected different views as opposed to thesecular government. Especially the sixth item of the programme which stated that ?theparty is restpectful towards religious thoughts and expressions? created great turbulenceamong republicans. Shortly after the establisment of the opposition party, all the peopleand grups whom favoured the old monastic regime and sharia (rule by İslamic Laws) wereencouraged and this activated some of them to upheld an anti - republican riot which wascalled ? Dervish Sait Riot?.With the expansion of this riot, country was faced with great danger and in order forthe government to eliminate this riot and provide peace, safety and order in the country, ithad to take extraordinary measures. Among these measures, one of them was the lawwhich characterized that era was ?Takrir-i Sükûn Yasası ( Law To Secure Safety andPeace)?. This Law also played a role in closing down the opposition party. İn order toimplement this particular law, İndependence Courts were established and people who hadparticipated in this riot were trialed and punished. The determinations of these courts werereported to the present government and The National Assembly..In conclusion, it was noted that before the new republican regime had a chance tosettle down and be understood by the public, an opposition party was established byfamous leaders whom were known to be conservative and anti- republican. İn anotherwords, the Progressive Republican Party was established when time and presentcircumstances were not feasible for an opposition party. The Council Of Ministers, afterexamining and evaluating all the data regarding the opposition party, mainly courtdecisions, they agreed to close down the party on 3?th day of June 1341 (1925), on thegrounds that it had damaging effects on the new Republican regime.