Turkish Military Coup of 1960

**1960 Turkish Coup d'état**
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The 1960 Turkish Coup d'état, also known as the 27 May Military Intervention or the 27 May Uprising, was a military coup that took place on May 27, 1960. It was the first military coup in the history of the Republic of Turkey.

**Background**
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In 1950, the Democratic Party came to power in Turkey, but it soon became increasingly authoritarian under the leadership of President Celal Bayar and Prime Minister Adnan Menderes. This led to growing protests against the government, which ultimately triggered a military intervention.

**The Coup**
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The coup was not carried out through the chain of command, but rather by 37-38 low-ranking officers who planned and executed it under the leadership of General Cemal Madanoğlu (also known as Cemal Gürsel). The critical issues were taken over by these officers with their troops and weapons, rendering the Command Cadre of the army ineffective. President Celal Bayar, Prime Minister Adnan Menderes, and some government members were arrested.

**Aftermath**
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The coup led to significant changes in the Turkish military and government:

* 235 generals and approximately 3,500 officers (mostly colonels, lieutenant colonels, and majors) were retired from service.
* 147 university professors were removed from their positions.
* Some universities were closed.
* The judiciary was brought under control: 520 prosecutors and judges were removed from their posts.

**Restoration of Democracy**
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The Committee of National Unity, led by Cemal Gürsel, took over the government. They declared that their goal was to restore democracy and prevent civil war in Turkey.