May 27 Military Coup

The May 27, 1960 Coup was a military intervention carried out by a group of officers within the Turkish Armed Forces who forcibly removed the ruling party of the time, the Democrat Party (DP). It was the first military coup in the history of the Republic of Türkiye, resulting in the suspension of the constitutional order, the arrest of elected government officials, and the dissolution of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. During this process, Prime Minister Adnan Menderes, Foreign Minister Fatin Rüştü Zorlu, and Finance Minister Hasan Polatkan were executed by court order. The coup had profound political and social impacts on Türkiye’s history and is recorded as a serious intervention against the democratic order.

President Celal Bayar (right) and Prime Minister Adnan Menderes (left)(AA)

Background: The Early Years of DP Rule

The DP came to power in the 1950 elections under the slogan “Enough, the Will of the Nation,” gaining widespread support as the first successful example of multi-party political life. In place of the statist economy of the CHP era, the DP adopted an economic approach that favored liberalism and private enterprise. During this period, growth based on agriculture was prioritized, and infrastructure and transportation investments were expanded with aid from the United States. Road construction projects became prominent, and the private sector was supported in industry and transportation.

Alongside its economic development initiatives, transportation, industry, and agricultural policies became priority areas. Regulations such as Law No. 6224 on the Encouragement of Foreign Capital and the Petroleum Law were enacted to attract foreign investment, and road construction was accelerated. At the same time, a decision was made to revert the call to prayer from Turkish back to Arabic, marking a significant step regarding religious freedom. A legal amendment issued on June 16, 1950, allowed the call to prayer to be recited in Arabic, and this change received broad public support.

Events Leading to the Coup

September 6–7, 1955

Incidents began with news of a bomb being thrown at Atatürk’s house in Thessaloniki, triggering riots in Istanbul and İzmir. A protest against Greek Cypriots’ demand for Enosis turned into widespread looting in Istanbul on September 6–7, 1955, placing the government in a difficult position both domestically and in foreign policy.

June 6, 1956

To improve the economy, the government reintroduced protectionist policies used during World War II through the National Defense Law. However, this approach was abandoned in 1958, and the country returned to a liberal economic model following IMF recommendations.

1957

• In the general elections, despite losing 16 percent of the vote, the DP retained its parliamentary majority with 419 seats.
• Accusations of “reactionism” increased in the press due to the DP’s steps regarding religious freedoms.
• Caricatures with themes of dictatorship were published in the newspaper Ulus (e.g., “Hitleri,” “Neron”).
• Some individuals affiliated with the CHP returned to the press and wrote articles against the DP.
• The military plot known as the “Nine Officers Incident” was uncovered.

1959

• On April 29, the Uşak Incident occurred: İnönü was attacked by DP supporters with stones.
• The newspaper Ulus claimed that the governor had encouraged the attack on İnönü.

1960

• In the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, a Parliamentary Investigation Commission was established to monitor opposition parties and the press.
• The CHP mobilized extra-parliamentary opposition. Students, academics, and the press became more visible. University students held protests in Istanbul on April 28 and in Ankara on April 29.
• Students from the War College took to the streets in a “silent march.”
• A group of officers within the military decided to stage a coup, citing the current government’s violations of the constitutional order. At 05:25 on the morning of May 27, 1960, Lieutenant Colonel Alparslan Türkeş announced the intervention via Ankara Radio.

Seizure of Power and the National Unity Committee

After the coup, the National Unity Committee (NUC), composed of 38 officers, assumed all powers. The Grand National Assembly was dissolved, the constitution was suspended, and the activities of all political parties were halted. Military commanders were appointed to lead governance across the country. General Cemal Gürsel was placed at the head of the NUC and served as President, Prime Minister, and Minister of National Defense.

Internal disagreements emerged within the committee shortly after its formation. On November 13, 1960, members known as the “Fourteen” were removed from the committee. This development revealed power struggles and institutional imbalances within the NUC.

May 28, 1960, Front Page of Milliyet Newspaper (Gaste Archive) May 29, 1960, Front Page of Cumhuriyet Newspaper (Gaste Archive)

Trial and Executions

Following the coup, DP leaders were arrested and tried before the High Court of Justice established on the island of Yassıada off the coast of Istanbul. Between October 14, 1960, and September 15, 1961, trials were conducted against 592 individuals, with death sentences sought for 288. The High Court of Justice handed down death sentences against 15 individuals.

Death sentences were carried out against Prime Minister Adnan Menderes, Foreign Minister Fatin Rüştü Zorlu, and Finance Minister Hasan Polatkan. Although a death sentence was also issued against President Celal Bayar, it was commuted to life imprisonment due to his age exceeding 80. Some of the verdicts were reached by unanimous vote, while others were decided by majority vote.

Reactions against the death sentences rose both domestically and internationally, with various calls for the executions to be halted. Nevertheless, the National Unity Committee proceeded with the executions of Adnan Menderes and the two ministers.

Legal scholars and historians from the period and subsequent eras have vigorously debated whether the trials were conducted independently and impartially. The Yassıada Courts operated as a special structure established outside the normal judicial authority for specific purposes. During the trial process, intensive propaganda was directed at public opinion, and DP members were labeled as “low” elements.

Propaganda and Public Opinion Management

To legitimize the coup in the eyes of the public, the NUC launched multifaceted propaganda campaigns. Under the name “May 27 Revolution,” it distributed brochures, organized rallies, established cultural associations, conducted village tours, and published printed materials to create a negative perception of the DP government. These efforts included radio broadcasts, systematic accusations in newspapers, the display of Atatürk busts, and commemorative “May 27 coins.” In particular, the Yassıada Brochure, which listed accusations and narratives against DP members, aimed to secure public acceptance of the court decisions within the political climate of the time.

Dissolution of the DP and Political Transformation

After May 27, the legal personality of the DP was abolished, and all political parties were banned. The NUC drafted a Provisional Constitution to reestablish the constitutional order and initiated a new constitutional process. The 1961 Constitution, prepared by the Constituent Assembly, was approved by public referendum with 60.4 percent of the vote.

General elections were held on October 15, 1961, and the new Grand National Assembly opened on October 25, marking the end of the NUC’s rule. However, the military continued to exert influence over the political system in the new era.

Restoration of Reputation

The reputations of Adnan Menderes, Hasan Polatkan, and Fatin Rüştü Zorlu, who were executed as a result of the May 27 coup, were restored by a law passed by the Grand National Assembly on April 11, 1990. Under the same law, the remains of the three were exhumed from İmralı Island and reburied in a state funeral at a memorial tomb in Istanbul. This step is regarded as a historical correction following longstanding debates about the legitimacy of the post-coup trials.

The process of restoring reputation was not merely symbolic; it also affirmed the supremacy of democratic politics and the rule of law. An assessment conducted in 2013 by the Office of Legal Services of the Grand National Assembly stated that, legally, the Yassıada verdicts could not be annulled but that the trials could be reopened.