Revolution and Disillusion

With the constitutional revolution of 1908, the topic of this chapter, the Ottomans found themselves in a new political atmosphere that provided new means of communication and avenues for political engagement. This included a parliament, elections, a constitution, political parties, and a vibrant press, all of which offered fresh opportunities for debating and shaping the Ottoman national identity. The dominant discourse revolved around the old idea of “the unity of elements,” aiming to create a nation of Ottomans irrespective of religious and ethnic differences, founded on a constitutionally defined civic Ottoman nationality. The early phase of the revolution witnessed a surge in Ottoman national symbolism and rhetoric, while the meaning, implications, and conditions for achieving such unity were actively discussed among the Ottoman public. However, these discussions were soon overshadowed by power politics and the efforts of the new political elites to establish their authority and positions, exacerbated by the new challenges faced by the Ottoman state in different parts of the empire.