What was the Committee of Union and Progress's impact on the Ottoman Empire?

The Committee of Union and Progress (CUP) significantly modernised the Ottoman Empire and led it into World War I.

The Committee of Union and Progress, also known as the Young Turks, was a political organisation that held significant influence in the Ottoman Empire from 1908 until the end of World War I. The CUP was instrumental in the modernisation of the empire, implementing a series of reforms that aimed to transform the Ottoman Empire into a more centralised, European-style state. These reforms included the introduction of a constitutional government, the promotion of secularism, and the implementation of modern education and legal systems.

The CUP's policies were not without controversy. Their attempts to centralise power and Turkify the empire led to tensions with non-Turkish ethnic groups, contributing to the outbreak of several ethnic conflicts. The CUP's policies also led to the Armenian Genocide, one of the darkest chapters in the history of the Ottoman Empire. The CUP's decision to enter World War I on the side of the Central Powers was another significant development, as it ultimately led to the empire's dissolution.

The CUP's impact on the Ottoman Empire was profound. Their reforms modernised the empire and laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. However, their policies also led to ethnic conflict and genocide, and their decision to enter World War I resulted in the empire's downfall. Despite these negative outcomes, the CUP's influence on the Ottoman Empire was transformative, and their legacy continues to shape the modern state of Turkey.