Young Turks

The phrase “young turks” came up on the last program.

The Young Turks referred to a reform movement in the Ottoman Empire in the early 1900s. As such, they butted heads with monarch Ottoman Sultan, whose power they sought to limit by establishing constitutional rule.

They issued a formal proclamation in 1908. Among other things, it called for universal suffrage, the right to form political parties, a disregard for religious affiliation and nationality when considering advancement, free education, and increased attention to the infrastructure of the country.

Eventually, the term was expanded to any individuals within a society or political party eager for progressive change.

SIDEBAR: Rod Stewart, Young Turks

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