What Is 1962 attempted coup in Turkey

Overview

Despite common confusion, there was no attempted coup in Turkey in 1962. The most recent military intervention prior to that year was the successful coup of May 27, 1960, which overthrew the government of Prime Minister Adnan Menderes. This event marked the first military takeover in the history of the Turkish Republic and led to significant political restructuring.

The aftermath of the 1960 coup included the establishment of a new constitution in 1961 and a period of military oversight in politics. By 1962, Turkey was operating under this new constitutional framework, with civilian rule restored but under the watchful eye of the military. No credible historical records indicate a coup attempt during that specific year.

• On May 27, 1960, the Turkish Armed Forces overthrew the Democrat Party government, ending nine years of single-party rule and citing democratic backsliding.
• The military established the National Unity Committee, a junta of 38 officers led by General Cemal Gürsel, who assumed both presidential and prime ministerial roles.
• Adnan Menderes, Turkey’s prime minister, was tried by a military tribunal on charges of violating the constitution and misusing public funds.
• Menderes was executed on September 17, 1961, along with two other ministers, making him the only democratically elected leader in Turkish history to be executed.
• A new constitution was adopted on October 9, 1961, establishing a bicameral legislature and strengthening judicial independence to prevent future authoritarianism.

Political Climate and Military Influence

Understanding the absence of a 1962 coup requires examining the broader role of the Turkish military in governance during the Cold War era. The military saw itself as the guardian of secularism and Kemalist principles, intervening whenever civilian governments strayed from these ideals.

• Kemalism: The ideological foundation of modern Turkey, emphasizing secularism, republicanism, and nationalism, which the military sought to protect through interventions.
• 1961 Constitution: Introduced a Constitutional Court and a Senate, aiming to balance power but still allowing military influence through the National Security Council.
• Cold War Context: As a NATO member since 1952, Turkey’s internal stability was crucial to Western interests, influencing how the U.S. viewed military interventions.
• 1971 Memorandum: Though not a coup in 1962, the military issued an ultimatum in March 1971, forcing the government to resign without direct takeover.
• 1980 Coup: A full military takeover occurred on September 12, 1980, following political violence and economic instability, leading to three years of military rule.
• 1997 'Postmodern Coup': The military forced Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan to resign through pressure, avoiding direct seizure of power but still removing a government.

Comparison at a Glance

Key military interventions in Turkey compared by date, method, and outcome:

These interventions reflect a recurring pattern where the Turkish military has stepped in during periods of perceived ideological or political crisis. The absence of a 1962 event underscores that military influence was maintained through oversight rather than repeated coups during that period.

Why It Matters

Clarifying that no coup occurred in 1962 helps correct historical misconceptions and highlights the nuanced role of the military in Turkish politics. The legacy of military interventions continues to shape Turkey’s democratic development and civil-military relations.

• The 1960 coup set a precedent for military involvement in politics, establishing a cycle of intervention that lasted decades.
• Each intervention, including the 1971 memorandum, reinforced the military’s self-appointed role as guardian of secularism.
• The 1982 constitution, drafted after the 1980 coup, still forms the basis of Turkey’s legal system today.
• Civilian governments have since worked to reduce military influence, especially under Erdoğan’s leadership post-2002.
• The 2016 failed coup led to over 150,000 arrests and dismissals, drastically altering Turkey’s political landscape.
• Understanding these events is crucial for analyzing Turkey’s ongoing struggle between democratic governance and authoritarian tendencies.

While 1962 did not see a coup, the year remains part of a broader narrative of military influence in Turkish politics, one that continues to resonate in contemporary debates about democracy and state power.