The Great National Assembly of Turkey and Its Place Between Sultanate and Republic

Abstract

It is almost a commonplace to say that the Ottoman Empire was succeeded by the Republic of Turkey. Nevertheless, it is not true. When the Ottoman sultanate was abolished in November 1922, that abolition in itself was not fiercely contested. The debates concentrated on two other issues: the creation of a “spiritual” Caliphate (a complete novelty in the world of Islam) and first and foremost guarantees that the current system of government in Ankara would be maintained. That system was that of the National Assembly which elected individual commissars from its midst. It was this political system, with a very powerful elected legislature and a weak and dependent executive, that replaced the Ottoman Empire.

Keywords

• ankara government
• mustafa kemal
• ottoman sultanate
• turkish national assembly
• turkish republic