The overthrow of Sultan Abdul Hamid II took place amid rising tensions within the Ottoman Empire, driven by discontent with his increasingly oppressive regime. The Young Turks, a reformist group advocating for constitutional governance, led the revolt against his rule. Abdul Hamid had implemented a series of autocratic measures following the suspension of the constitution in 1878, which alienated both political elites and the military. By 1909, social unrest escalated, with calls for political reform growing louder across the empire.

After emerging victorious in conflicts such as the Italo-Turkish War and the Balkan Wars, the Young Turks felt emboldened to challenge the Sultan openly. Their actions culminated in a decisive military intervention when they mobilized troops towards Constantinople, demanding the restoration of the constitution and dismissing Abdul Hamid. On April 27, he was officially deposed and placed under house arrest. His half-brother, Mehmed V, was declared Sultan, resulting in a symbolic transition towards constitutional monarchy, albeit with limited power.

This transition period saw the Young Turks attempting to implement reforms to modernize the empire, focusing on education, military, and civil rights. However, the struggle for power within the Young Turk movement itself and various ethnic tensions within the empire would lead to ongoing challenges. The context of Abdul Hamid's deposition also set the stage for future conflicts, including World War I, as nationalistic aspirations grew, particularly among non-Turkish ethnic groups within the empire.