1876 Ottoman Constitution

The 1876 Ottoman Constitution was the first constitutional document in the Ottoman Empire, aiming to modernize and curtail the absolute power of the Sultan. It introduced a parliament, guaranteed certain rights and freedoms, and sought to establish a more democratic governance structure. However, it was short-lived, as the Sultan Abdulhamid II suspended it a year later. The constitution marked an attempt to reform the empire amid growing internal and external pressures, reflecting broader movements toward modernization and nationalism in the late 19th century. It laid the groundwork for future reforms and discussions about governance in the region.