1960 Turkish coup d'état

1960 Turkish coup d'état. The 1960 Turkish coup d'état was a pivotal event in which the Turkish Armed Forces overthrew the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Adnan Menderes. Orchestrated by a group of mid-level officers, the coup established the National Unity Committee (MBK) as the ruling military junta, led by General Cemal Gürsel. This intervention marked the first direct military coup in the Republic of Turkey, ending the multi-party period that began in 1946 and leading to the execution of Menderes and two of his ministers.

Background and causes

The roots of the coup lay in the escalating political tensions following the 1957 elections, where the ruling Democratic Party (DP) led by Adnan Menderes consolidated power. The opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), led by İsmet İnönü, accused the government of authoritarian practices, including restricting press freedom and attempting to silence critics through measures like the Press Law. Economic difficulties, including a severe balance of payments crisis and subsequent IMF austerity measures, fueled widespread public discontent. The government's establishment of a parliamentary investigation committee targeting the CHP was seen as a final step toward one-party rule, creating a crisis atmosphere. Furthermore, Menderes's perceived challenges to the secular principles of Kemalism, established by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, alienated the staunchly secularist military officer corps, who viewed themselves as guardians of the republic's founding ideology.

The coup and immediate aftermath

In the early hours of 27 May 1960, units of the Turkish Land Forces, supported by the Turkish Air Force, moved into Ankara and Istanbul, meeting minimal resistance. Key figures including President Celâl Bayar, Prime Minister Adnan Menderes, and most cabinet ministers were arrested. The coup leaders, a group of 38 officers known as the National Unity Committee (MBK), appointed General Cemal Gürsel as its chairman and interim head of state. The Turkish Grand National Assembly was dissolved, the 1924 Constitution was suspended, and political activities were banned. The MBK initially included figures like Alparslan Türkeş, who announced the coup via radio, but a power struggle soon led to the expulsion of Türkeş and 13 other radical officers, who were exiled to posts abroad.

Trial and execution of Menderes

The new regime established the High Court of Justice (Yassıada Court) on the island of Yassıada in the Sea of Marmara to try members of the deposed government. The trials, which began in October 1960, charged defendants with crimes including violating the constitution, ordering the 1955 Istanbul Pogrom, and embezzlement. After lengthy proceedings, Adnan Menderes, former Foreign Minister Fatin Rüştü Zorlu, and former Finance Minister Hasan Polatkan were sentenced to death. Despite international appeals for clemency, including from President Kennedy and Queen Elizabeth II, the sentences were carried out by hanging on 16 September 1961 on İmralı island. The executions left a deep and lasting scar on Turkish political consciousness.

Transition to civilian rule

Following the executions, the MBK oversaw a return to civilian rule by drafting a new legal framework. A constituent assembly, which included members of the MBK and appointed civilian representatives, drafted a new constitution that was approved by referendum in July 1961. This constitution introduced a bicameral parliament and a strong Constitutional Court to check governmental power. In the October 1961 elections, the Republican People's Party (CHP) emerged as the largest party, leading to a coalition government with the newly formed Justice Party (AP). General Cemal Gürsel was elected as the fourth President of Turkey by the parliament, formally ending the military junta and inaugurating the Second Turkish Republic.

Legacy and historical assessment

The 1960 coup established a precedent for military intervention in Turkish politics, a pattern repeated in the 1971 memorandum, the 1980 coup, and the 1997 postmodern coup. It profoundly shaped the Turkish political system, embedding the military as a self-appointed guardian of Kemalism and secularism. The execution of Adnan Menderes transformed him into a martyr figure, particularly for center-right and conservative political movements, with his legacy later embraced by parties like the Motherland Party and the Justice and Development Party. The 1961 Constitution, though praised for its liberal guarantees, was criticized for creating unstable coalition governments. The coup remains a deeply divisive event in Turkish history, symbolizing both the breakdown of democratic norms and the enduring tension between elected authority and the military-bureaucratic establishment.

Category:1960 in Turkey Category:Coups d'état in Turkey Category:Cold War history of Turkey Category:May 1960 events