The reception of liberty in Konya, September 1908 - April 1909

Abstract

This thesis traces the path that led to divergences in the public opinion in Konyabetween September 1908 and April 1909. Following the proclamation of the Constitution, the Selanik headquarters of the CUP sent a delegation to the province ofKonya, which visited various towns in order to inform the people about the Committeeand the new regime. The single local private newspaper Anadolu highly appreciatedthese visits. In addition, the newspaper reflected a colorful account of one of the major blessings of liberty: political participation through elections. With the inauguration ofpolitical discussions in the Parliament the public opinion in Konya started to bifurcate.This thesis argued that the Parliament, as an institution that crystallized competingpolitical perspectives, was significant in determining the issues around which the public opinion in Konya developed divergences. It was first divided along the actions of KamilPasha and then along the concept of seriat. Party affiliations, especially with the LiberalUnion, did not play a major role in these splits. Special attention was paid to the slowlychanging perceptions of the CUP during the period in question. While the CUP enjoyed a highly prestigious position until March, afterwards minor criticizing accounts startedto be seen in some newspapers.