The Committee of Union and Progress, often referred to as the Young Turks, represents a late 19th and early 20th-century political reform movement that favored the replacement of the Ottoman Empire’s absolute monarchy with a constitutional government. This group, composed primarily of exiled Ottoman intellectuals, bureaucrats, and army officers, aimed to modernize and Westernize the Empire, reversing its decline relative to European powers. The term is also used more broadly to describe reformist or revolutionary groups, particularly those with a youthful and energetic membership.
The rise of the Young Turks is important within the scope of world history due to its pivotal role in the decline and eventual collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Their policies, while initially intended to strengthen the state, ultimately contributed to internal tensions, ethnic conflicts, and involvement in World War I. Their actions illustrate the complex challenges faced by empires undergoing modernization in the face of rising nationalism and external pressures. Their legacy is complex, encompassing both progressive reforms and controversial decisions.
