Ottoman Constitution of 1876

The Ottoman constitution of 1876 (Ottoman Turkish: قانون اساسى, "basic law"; Turkish: Kanûn-u Esâsî) was the first constitution of the Ottoman Empire. Written by members of the Young Ottomans, particularly Midhat Pasha, during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II (1876–1909), the constitution was only in effect for two years, from 1876 to 1878.

The major reason for the introduction of the Constitution was Midhat Pasha’s recognition of the need for reform and a check on the power of the Sultan. However, the Constitution that was put in place certainly represented a certain limitation of the autocracy of the monarch, although Abdulhamid could still imprison or send to exile people who he considered harmful to the state, or to his emerging absolute rule, in spite of the opening of the first parliament. Although the rules in the Constitution had been twisted to suit Abdulhamid’s needs, it was suspended in 1878 and those who created it were exiled. Midhat Pasha died in exile in Taif.