Transformations in Turkey’s Legal System during the “Longest Century of the Empire”

Gedikli, Fethi (2024) Transformations in Turkey’s Legal System during the “Longest Century of the Empire”. In: Fundamental Legal Transformations as a Consequence of the Springtime of Nations (1848). Studies of the Ferenc Mádl Institute, 3 (3). Ferenc Mádl Institute of Comparative Law, Budapest, pp. 255-278. ISBN 9786156356482

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Abstract

The article explores the profound legal and administrative changes that occurred within the Ottoman Empire during its prolonged period of reform and decline in the 19th century. “The longest century of the empire” reflects the empire’s sustained efforts to struggle with internal and external challenges through modernization and legal reorganization. The study examines pivotal reforms like the Tanzimat and Islahat Edicts, the introduction of the Kanun-ı Esasi (constitutional law), and the codification of Islamic and civil laws, including the Majalla. These reforms symbolized a shift toward centralization, equality, and adaptation to European legal norms while grappling with the interplay of traditional Islamic law and contemporary necessities. The article contextualizes these changes against the broader socio-political upheavals in Europe, offering a comparative perspective on the transformative century.

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