2016 coup attempt

Definition

The 2016 coup attempt in Turkey was a failed military uprising that occurred on the night of July 15-16, when a faction within the Turkish armed forces attempted to overthrow the government led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This event highlighted significant domestic challenges in Turkey, including political polarization, military influence in politics, and societal divisions, ultimately impacting Turkey's regional role and foreign relations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The coup attempt involved factions within the military attempting to seize control of key institutions, including media outlets and governmental buildings.
2. In response to the coup, Erdoğan called for mass demonstrations against the military and urged citizens to take to the streets to defend democracy.
3. The failed coup led to a massive crackdown on suspected dissidents, with tens of thousands arrested and purged from various sectors, including the military, judiciary, and education.
4. The event significantly consolidated Erdoğan's power, allowing him to implement sweeping changes to Turkey's political system, including a shift towards an executive presidential system.
5. The coup attempt strained Turkey's relationships with several countries and heightened concerns about human rights abuses and political repression within Turkey.

Review Questions

• How did the 2016 coup attempt affect internal political dynamics within Turkey?
  • The 2016 coup attempt significantly altered internal political dynamics by intensifying the existing polarization in Turkish society. It allowed President Erdoğan to consolidate power by initiating widespread purges against perceived enemies, particularly those linked to the Gülen Movement. This created an environment where dissent was increasingly suppressed, reinforcing authoritarian practices and limiting political opposition.
• Discuss the implications of the state of emergency declared after the coup attempt on Turkey's civil liberties and governance.
  • The state of emergency declared after the coup attempt had profound implications for civil liberties in Turkey. It enabled the government to bypass legal protections and implement measures that curtailed freedom of speech, assembly, and press. The subsequent mass arrests and purges not only affected military personnel but also extended to journalists, academics, and public servants, leading to a climate of fear and stifling dissent against Erdoğan's administration.
• Evaluate how the failed coup attempt influenced Turkey's foreign policy and its regional role in the Middle East.
  • The failed coup attempt fundamentally influenced Turkey's foreign policy by reinforcing Erdoğan's authoritarian stance domestically while shaping its regional role. Following the coup, Turkey sought to assert itself more aggressively in Middle Eastern affairs, often aligning with groups opposing rival regimes. The crackdown on dissent also complicated relations with Western allies, who criticized Turkey's human rights record, impacting diplomatic ties and altering alliances in an already volatile region.

Related terms

Gülen Movement: A transnational religious and social movement led by Fethullah Gülen, which was accused by the Turkish government of orchestrating the 2016 coup attempt.

State of Emergency: A period following the coup attempt declared by the Turkish government, allowing for increased state control and suppression of dissent, resulting in mass arrests and purges.

Erdoğan's Presidency: The leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has been a dominant figure in Turkish politics since he became Prime Minister in 2003 and later President in 2014, marked by authoritarian tendencies.