--- title: Cemal Madanoğlu slug: cemal-madanoglu-48136 url: /detay/cemal-madanoglu-48136 type: biography language: English entity: primary: Cemal Madanoğlu type: biography categories: - name: Intelligence, Security, and Defense slug: istihbarat-guvenlik-ve-askeri-calismalar url: /kategori/istihbarat-guvenlik-ve-askeri-calismalar - name: Politics And International Relations slug: siyaset-ve-uluslararasi-iliskiler url: /kategori/siyaset-ve-uluslararasi-iliskiler tags: - 27 May 1960 Coup - National Unity Committee - Cemal Madanoğlu - Military Career - Turkish Armed Forces author: Yunus Emre Sağlam created_at: 2025-12-01T10:49:23.919993+03:00 updated_at: 2025-12-01T10:49:23.920018+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/07/13/kUWXjjbd9tyBByYhuyrdNPSjdKZJhpg6.jpg --- # Cemal Madanoğlu > Cemal Madanoğlu, a soldier who served in the Turkish Armed Forces and played an active role in the process leading to the May 27, 1960 coup, is one of the controversial figures in the military and political history of the Republic era. ## KURE Information Cards ### KURE Information Card: Cemal Madanoğlu ![ChatGPT Image 13 Tem 2025 11_16_55.png](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/07/13/loK42vPvkdqvNWpQ1xAFXirJDD6ovaOC.png) *Generated with artificial intelligence.* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Birth | 1907, Istanbul | | Death | 7 October 1993, Istanbul | | Profession(s) | Soldier,Senator,Writer | | Rank | General of the Army | | Education | War School (1926),War Academy (1930) | | Position(s) | De facto leader of the 27 May 1960 Coup,Member of the Republic Senate,President of the State Planning Organization,Member of the National Security Council | | Works | "Memoirs" (1982) - Contains personal testimony on his political past and the developments of the era | ## Article Content Turkish military officer and bureaucrat [Cemal Madanoğlu](/en/detay/cemal-madanoglu-4b8d4/llms.txt) was one of the prominent figures who played a significant role within the Turkish Armed Forces and political processes during the mid-20th century. Recognized as one of the main actors of the [27 May 1960 coup](/en/detay/27-mayis-askeri-darbesi-47e1f/llms.txt), Madanoğlu transitioned into civilian politics after his military career but later withdrew from active public roles. ### **Early Life and Education** Cemal Madanoğlu was born in Istanbul in 1907 into a family belonging to the civil service class of the time. After completing his primary education in Istanbul, he pursued military training and graduated from the War School in 1926. He subsequently attended the War Academy and served in various capacities as a staff officer. Throughout his education, he distinguished himself through his strict adherence to military discipline and his notable intellect. ### **Military Career** Cemal Madanoğlu held various ranks within the Turkish Armed Forces and was actively involved in the military modernization efforts following World War II. In the 1950s he commanded brigades and divisions, and in 1959 he was promoted to the rank of general. During his service, he gained recognition for his loyalty to the chain of command and his reformist outlook. By the time of the 27 May 1960 coup, he had aligned himself with a group of young officers and played a key role in its execution. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/02/11/cemal-madanoglu-48136-1386.jpg) *Cemal Madanoğlu (Atatürk Encyclopedia)* ### **The 27 May 1960 Coup and the National Unity Committee** On the morning of 27 May 1960, a military intervention resulted in the removal of the **Democrat Party** government. President **Celal Bayar** and Prime Minister **Adnan Menderes** were arrested. During this period, **Cemal Madanoğlu** served as one of the chief coordinators of the coup. He became one of the most active members of the newly established **National Unity Committee**, working to maintain military hierarchy and ensure stability during the transition period. ### **Transition to Civilian Life** Cemal Madanoğlu quickly advocated for the military government to hand over power to civilian authorities, a position that led to disagreements within the committee. He played an active role in drafting the [1961 Constitution](/en/detay/1924-constitution-34745/llms.txt) and emphasized the importance of shaping the political structure within constitutional boundaries. However, his influence diminished over time due to ideological differences with other officers, leading to his departure from official duties. He subsequently withdrew from public life and remained outside government service for a period. ### **Trial and Later Years** In the aftermath of the [1971 military memorandum](/en/detay/may-27-military-coup-94355/llms.txt), when the influence of former military figures on civilian politics was under scrutiny, Cemal Madanoğlu was implicated in an alleged conspiracy. He was prosecuted on the grounds of involvement in a structure known as the “Madanoğlu Coup.” However, during the trial, insufficient evidence was found to support the charges, and he was acquitted. In retirement, he wrote his memoirs but rarely appeared in public. ### **Death** Cemal Madanoğlu died in Istanbul in 1979. ## Academic Sources and References 1. Durmuş, Merve, and Cevdet Kırpık. “Ondörtlerin Tasfiyesinde Cemal Madanoğlu’nun Rolü.” \*Cumhuriyet Tarihi Araştırmaları Dergisi\* 21, no. 42 (2021): 361–396. Accessed July 13, 2025. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/cttad/issue/64272/975627 2. Tatlısu Çağan, Kübra. “Cemal Madanoğlu (1907–1993).” Atatürk Ansiklopedisi. Accessed July 13, 2025. https://ataturkansiklopedisi.gov.tr/detay/1088/Cemal-Madano%C4%9Flu-(1907-1993) 3. Tatlısu, Kübra. “Millî Birlik Komitesi İçinde Çıkan İkilem ve General Cemal Madanoğlu-Albay Alparslan Türkeş İlişkisi.” \*Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi\* 14, no. 1 (2021): 102–121. Accessed July 13, 2025. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/usaksosbil/issue/63593/928252