Devrimler

Devrimler (devrimler) is the Turkish term for revolutions. It denotes rapid, fundamental changes in political, social, or economic order, often involving reconfiguration of institutions, laws, and property relations and sometimes accompanied by upheaval or violence. Revolutions may arise from social conflicts, economic crises, or political movements, and they can lead to long-lasting transformations or regime changes.

Etymology and usage: The word devrim derives from the Turkish root devr- (to turn) with the noun-forming suffix -im; in modern Turkish it denotes major, transformative changes, typically of a political or social nature. The term is used alongside inkılap, a related concept that often emphasizes state-led reform and institutional overhaul; in some contexts inkılap is preferred for reform projects, while devrim is used for upheavals that bring radical change.

Examples: Globally, devrimler include the French Revolution (1789), the Russian Revolution (1917), the Chinese Communist Revolution (1949), and the Iranian Revolution (1979). In Turkish history, the 1908 Young Turk Revolution is commonly described as the Jön Türk Devrimi and is a key example of political upheaval leading to the Second Constitution. The Turkish case also features major reform projects described as inkılaplar, such as Atatürk's reforms in the 1920s and 1930s, which reshaped education, law, and social norms without a classical revolution.