View source for Armenian National Constitution

[[File:Cover of the Armenian National Constitution (Ottoman Empire).jpg|thumb|Cover of the Armenian version of the Armenian National Constitution ([[:File:Armenian National Constitution (Armenian).pdf|read online]])]]
[[File:ArmenianNatlConstinEnglish.pdf|thumb|English version by Harry Finnis Blosse Lynch (1901)]]
[[File:ArmeniannatlconstinOttomanTurkishfromDustur.pdf|thumb|Ottoman Turkish version from the [[Düstur]]]]
The '''Armenian National Constitution''' ({{langx|hy|Հայ ազգային սահմանադրութիւն|Hay azkayin sahmanatroutioun}}; {{langx|fr|Constitution nationale arménienne}}<!--as per [[Languages of the Ottoman Empire]]-->) or '''Regulation of the Armenian Nation''' ({{langx|ota|نظامنامهٔ ملّت ارمنیان|Nizâmnâme-i Millet-i Ermeniyân}}) was a constitution in the Ottoman Empire for members of the [[Armenians in the Ottoman Empire|Gregorian Armenian Millet]]. Promulgated in 1863, it defined the powers of the [[Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople|Armenian Patriarch]], a newly formed [[Armenian National Assembly]], and lay members.<ref name="hovannisian">[[Richard G. Hovannisian]] "The Armenian People from Ancient to Modern Times", page 198</ref> This code is still active among [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian Church]] in diaspora.<ref name="hovannisian" /> The Ottoman Turkish version was published in the [[Düstur (Ottoman Empire)|Düstur]].<ref name=StraussConstp22>{{cite book |last=Strauss |first=Johann|url=https://menadoc.bibliothek.uni-halle.de/menalib/download/pdf/2734659?originalFilename=true |year=2010 |chapter=A Constitution for a Multilingual Empire: Translations of the ''Kanun-ı Esasi'' and Other Official Texts into Minority Languages | editor=Herzog, Christoph|editor2=Malek Sharif|title= The First Ottoman Experiment in Democracy|publication-place= [[Wurzburg]]|page= 21-51 }} ([http://menadoc.bibliothek.uni-halle.de/urn/urn:nbn:de:gbv:3:5-91645 info page on book] at [[Martin Luther University]]) - Cited: p. 37 (PDF p. 39)</ref> Other constitutions were promulgated for the [[Armenian Catholic Church|Catholic Armenian]] and the [[Armenian Evangelical Church|Protestant Armenian]] millets.

The document itself was called a "constitution" in Armenian, while the Ottoman Turkish version was instead called a "regulation" on the [[millet (Ottoman Empire)|millet]].<ref name=StraussConstp22/>

==Background==
Until the promulgation of the [[Edict of Gülhane]] in 1839, the patriarch held supreme power over his flock. Its authority over the clergy and civil administration being absolute, the patriarch could imprison or exile Armenians at will; and while they were compelled to secure the consent of the Sultan to imprison or exile [[Laity|laymen]] of their community, the necessary [[firman]] was easily obtained. The patriarchal system of government, in placing civil powers in the hands of high ecclesiastics, was an outcome of the fact that the Sultan made no distinction between church and community, and often lent the weight of its authority to maintain the integrity of the church.

=== Early reform ===
In the 18th century, the Armenian community underwent a cultural renaissance known as the [[Armenian national awakening]]. This involved a revival of classical Armenian learning, and the interpretation of new ideas coming from Western Europe, particularly [[Age of Enlightenment|the Enlightenment]] and the events of the [[French Revolution]]. With the start of the 19th century there was also the influence of American and English missionaries, which eventually spawned the creation of the small Armenian Protestant millet. During this time, Armenian reformers that became inspired from their studies in time in Paris were known as Loussavorial, where as conservatives were Khavarial.

On the eve of the [[Tanzimat]] era, the patriarch was dominated by the wealthy Armenian urban aristocracy: the [[Amira (Ottoman Empire)|''amira'']].{{Sfn|Davison|1963|p=120}} Newly rich artisans found their new wealth not translated into political influence, and pushed for reform in civil administration. The [[Armenian college question]], during which the Gülhane Edict was issued, was a reflection of the tension between the artisans and banking ''amira'', [[Sarraf (Armenian class)|''sarraf''s]]. Though the artisans lost the fight, the patriarch delegated his [[power of the purse]] to an elected board of 24 artisans to manage millet finances. Without banker support however, this institution dissolved by 1842. In 1844, Patriarch [[Matteos II of Constantinople|Matteos II]] attempted to resolve the issue by establishing a council that included both tradesmen and bankers. However the sarrafs continued to cause trouble for the tradesmen. In 1847, Matteos created, and the [[Sublime Porte|Porte]] sanctioned, two councils: one [[Armenian Civil Council|civil]] and one [[Armenian Ecclesiastical Council|ecclesiastical]], to manage millet affairs, which continued for ten years.{{Sfn|Davison|1963|p=120-121}} However dissatisfaction with the state of affairs in the civil administration persisted, and the example of the radically representative Protestant millet constitution pushed Gregorian church members to further pro-lay reform, lest church members convert to the join the Protestant millet.{{Sfn|Davison|1963|p=123}}

=== Drafting ===
The [[Ottoman Reform Edict of 1856|1856 Imperial Reform Edict]], which sought to bring equality among all Ottomans, also caused discontentment in the [[Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople|Armenian Patriarchate]].<ref name="Dadian">Mekerditch-B. Dadian, "La société arménienne contemporaine", ''[[Revue des deux Mondes]]'', June 1867, pp. 903-928, <span class="plainlinks">[https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k870051/f904 read online]</span></ref> Armenian reformers wanted to abolish what they saw as oppression by the nobility (''amira''), by drawing up a new 'National Regulation'.<ref name="Dadian" /> 

The first draft (of three) of the Armenian constitution was written by a bourgeois leadership which previously served on an educational committee in 1853. The Armenian Gregorian Millet received a constitution in 1857, but due to tensions within the Armenian community between the Loussavorials and Khavarials and with the [[Sublime Porte|Porte]], it had to be rewritten several times, and a final draft was in effect for only two months. On June 5 1860, the "Code of Regulations" was drafted by a constitutional committee made up of members of the Armenian intelligentsia (Dr. [[Nahabet Rusinian]], Dr. [[Servichen]], [[Nigoghos Balian]], [[Krikor Odian]] and [[Krikor Margosian]]), which sought to define the powers of the Patriarch. This code was adopted, but lasted for just 16 months. 

In 1862 [[Mehmed Emin Âli Pasha|Aali Pasha]] and the acting Patriarch Stepan Maghakyan initiated the formation of another constitutional committee, but when the Porte didn't immediately accept it, a mob of Armenian tradesmen [[Insurrection on the Armenian Patriarchate|stormed the Patriarchate]] and vandalized furniture, until Turkish troops were sent to restore order. The government of [[Ottoman Sultan|Sultan]] [[Abdülaziz]] ratified it (with some minor changes) by a [[firman]], and a constitutional committee accepted, an Armenian Gregorian millet constitution, on March 29, 1863.{{Sfn|Davison|1963|p=123-124}} This constitution was based on the principle of representation, and limited the powers of the Patriarch and the clergy through the establishment of an [[Armenian National Assembly]], which now elected the Patriarch and appointed members to a [[Armenian Civil Council|civil]] and an [[Armenian Ecclesiastical Council|ecclesiastical]] council.{{Sfn|Davison|1963|p=124}}

== Provisions ==
The Armenian National Constitution was composed of 150 articles which defined the powers of the Patriarch, his position in the Armenian Millet and the Ottoman Empire, and a newly formed [[Armenian National Assembly]].<ref name="hovannisian" /> The Patriarch began to share his powers with the National Assembly and was limited by the Constitution. He perceived the changes as an erosion of his community.<ref name="Dadian" />

The National Assembly was made up of 140 members, 20 of which were clergymen. Constantinople was disproportionately represented in the chamber, as 80 of the lay deputies and all the clergy were elected from the capital. Therefore, despite making up 90% of the Armenian population, those in the provinces were represented by 2/7ths of the assembly. Suffrage was granted to tax paying members of the Gregorian church. Though gender was not mentioned, women's suffrage was not considered. Electoral law in the capital saw voters choosing candidates prepared by an electoral council in each quarter of the city. Provincial elections had three stages: voters voted for a provincial assembly which then voted for a list of candidates prepared by local councils.

Further democratization was done in the provinces, with [[Metropolitan bishop|metropolitans]] being elected by provincial assemblies, which were dominated by laity. Taxation was based on ability to pay, and used to upkeep local administration.{{Sfn|Davison|1963|p=125}}

== Results ==
Turnout for elections for the national assembly were typically low. Despite the lack of provincial representation, the National Assembly was the most visible place for deputies to voice complaints of tax reforms and Kurdish marauding.{{Sfn|Davison|1963|p=124–125}}

Parliamentary governance was initially dysfunctional, as the ''amira'' and clergy objected to the privileges they lost. When a dispute between the ecclesiastical and civil councils proved too difficult to disentangle, the Porte suspended the constitution from 1866-1869. But from 1869-1892, the Armenian Constitution functioned, and the general assembly met, regularly. It was again suspended in 1892 after tensions flared with Ottoman government, but was reinstated following the [[Young Turk Revolution]] in 1908.{{Sfn|Davison|1963|p=125}}

== Analysis ==
The Armenian National Constitution was seen as a milestone by Armenian reformers. It attempted to define Armenia as a modern nation. The reforms which resulted in the Armenian National Assembly came about as individual Armenians and pressure groups petitioned for assistance from the Porte against injustices perpetuated by the [[Ottoman Kurds|Kurds]] and corrupt officialdom. At the beginning the relations between the Armenian National Assembly and the Porte were positive, but in the 1860s, the Ottomans, having crushed Kurdish resistance, no longer needed Armenian support, and the Empire became less responsive to Armenian claims.<ref>[[Edmund Herzig]] "Armenians Past And Present In The Making Of National Identity A Handbook" page.75</ref>

[[H. F. B. Lynch|Henry Finnis Blosse Lynch]], author of ''Armenia, Travels and Studies'', wrote in the second volume, published in 1901, that the Armenian National Constitution was "practically in [[:wikt:abeyance|abeyance]] owing to the strained relations at present existing between the [[Yıldız Palace|Palace]] and the Armenians."<ref>[[H. F. B. Lynch]], Vol. II, p. 467.</ref>

==Sources==

* {{Citation |last=Davison |first=Roderic |title=Reform in the Ottoman Empire: 1856-1876 |year=1963 |place=Princeton, New Jersey |publisher=Princeton University Press}}

=== References ===
* {{cite book|chapter=Appendix I: National Constitution of the Armenians in the Turkish Empire|author=Lynch, Harry Finnis Blosse|title=Armenia, Travels and Studies|year=1901|volume=2|publisher=[[Longmans, Green and Co.]]|page=[https://archive.org/details/armeniatravelsst02lync/page/444 445]-[https://archive.org/details/armeniatravelsst02lync/page/466 467]}} (PDF p. 573-595/644)

=== Notes ===
<references/>

==Further reading==
Copies of the Armenian constitution:
* {{cite web|url=https://eap.bl.uk/archive-file/EAP180-1-3-96|title=Armenian National Constitution|publisher=[[Endangered Archives Programme]]|lang=hy}}
* [[Dustur]], Constantinople (Istanbul), 1289, II, pp. 938-961. - Ottoman Turkish version<!--From: https://archive.today/20191007071850/https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Armenian+%22Dustur%22%23spf=1570432724905 which is printed in {{cite book|author=Artinian, Vartan|title=The Armenian Constitutional System in the Ottoman Empire, 1839-1863: A Study of Its Historical Development|publisher=V. Artinian|year=1988|page=112|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0G6KAAAAMAAJ&dq=Armenian+%22Dustur%22&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=Dustur}} -->
* {{cite book|author=Artinian, Vartan|title=Osmanlı Devleti'nde Ermeni Anayasası'nın Doğuşu 1839-1863|translator=Zülal Kılıç|location=Istanbul|publisher=Aras Yayıncılık|year=2004}} - Copies of the Ottoman constitution in Armenian and Armeno-Turkish are in the appendix<!--From: {{cite book |last=Strauss |first=Johann|url=https://menadoc.bibliothek.uni-halle.de/menalib/download/pdf/2734659?originalFilename=true |year=2010 |chapter=A Constitution for a Multilingual Empire: Translations of the ''Kanun-ı Esasi'' and Other Official Texts into Minority Languages | editor=Herzog, Christoph|editor2=Malek Sharif|title= The First Ottoman Experiment in Democracy|publisher= |publication-place= [[Wurzburg]]|page= 21-51 |accessdate= |isbn= |issn= |oclc= }} ([http://menadoc.bibliothek.uni-halle.de/urn/urn:nbn:de:gbv:3:5-91645 info page on book] at [[Martin Luther University]]) - Cited: p. 37 (PDF p. 39)-->
* {{cite book|chapter=Appendix I: National Constitution of the Armenians in the Turkish Empire|author=Lynch, Harry Finnis Blosse|title=Armenia, Travels and Studies|year=1901|volume=2|publisher=[[Longmans, Green and Co.]]|page=[https://archive.org/details/armeniatravelsst02lync/page/444 445]-[https://archive.org/details/armeniatravelsst02lync/page/466 467]}} (PDF p. 573-595/644) - English translation of the Armenian constitution
* {{cite book|author=Young, George|chapter=Réglement de la Communauté Arménienne Grégorienne 14 mai 1860|title=[[Corps de droit ottoman]]|volume=2|year=1905|pages=[https://archive.org/details/corpsdedroitott03turkgoog/page/n88 79]-[https://archive.org/details/corpsdedroitott03turkgoog/page/n102 92]|language=fr}} - French translation
* {{cite web|url=https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5810149s/f2|title=Constitution nationale des arméniens / traduite de l'arménien sur le document original, par M. E. Prud'homme |via=[[National Library of France]]|year=1862|publisher=B. Duprat|location=Paris|lang=fr}}

==External links==
{{Commonscat|Armenian National Constitution}}
* {{cite web|url=https://digilib.aua.am/book/2008/2462/18952/%D4%B1%D5%A6%D5%A3%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%AB%D5%B6%20%D5%BD%D5%A1%D5%B0%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%A4%D6%80%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%A9%D5%AB%D6%82%D5%B6%D5%A8.%20%D4%B3%D5%AB%D5%AE%D5%A5%D6%80%20%D5%B4%D5%A5%D6%80%20%D5%B4%D5%B7%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%B8%D5%B5%D5%A9%D5%AB%20%D5%BA%D5%A1%D5%BF%D5%B4%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%A9%D5%A5%D5%B6%D5%A7%D5%B6.%20%D5%8A%D5%A1%D5%BF%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B6%20%D5%A5%D6%82%20%D6%84%D5%B6%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%A4%D5%A1%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B6%20%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%BD%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B4%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%BD%D5%AB%D6%80%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%A9%D5%AB%D6%82%D5%B6|title=Ազգային սահմանադրութիւնը|website=digilib.aua.am|publisher=[[American University of Armenia]]}}
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