Abstract:

The most prominent feature of Alevism is commitment to Ali and his descendants. Bektashism and Kızılbashism words were used instead of Alevism in Anatolia until 19th century. Although Alevis felt themselves close to new regime with secular-based revolutions and discourses in first years of Republic, in transition to multiparty system, they have directed towards to Democratic Party from Republican People’s Party as a result of some developments, but haven’t still found free environment they wanted. Aim of this study is to examine Unity Party of Turkey (UPT) which is first political organization of Alevis and assess political tendencies and historical processes of Alevis in the process which passes up to this term. In this direction, first, by taking into account historical meaning of Alevism word, other names attributed to Alevism have been examined in terms of Anatolian Alevism. Also, during single-party and multi-party transition period, by examining political tendencies of Alevis, focused on UPT. As a result, UPT hadn’t provided unity within itself due to controversy of party members, hadn’t increased its vote potential even in areas where Alevis had lived intensively and failed to sign a significant political success. Base of party had shifted to the CHP over time and had been closed down by 1980 military coup as well.

Keywords: