Abstract:

The first joint-stock companies in the Ottoman Empire were formed in the form of partnership agreements consisting mostly of foreign capital according to the provisions of the Commercial Code of 1850. In the establishment process of joint-stock companies, which are considered as capital companies by the Ministry of Commerce and Agriculture, the regulations prepared jointly by the provincial administrative council, committee of general assembly and commercial societies/commissions play an important role. In this context, on April 2, 1919 (Recep 1, 1337), Tobaco Ottoman Joint-Stock Company was established in Dersaadet to carry out all kinds of commercial activities such as tobacco manufacturing, establishing companies, and exporting tobacco in agricultural and commercial areas. In this study Tobacco Ottoman Joint-Stock Company's founders, structure, functioning, establishment stages and principles will be discussed in detail by making use of the documents of the Prime Ministry Ottoman Archives. Tobacco Ottoman Joint-Stock Company will contribute to the literature in terms of revealing the authority of the Dersaadet Board of Directors in the establishment of the company and the duties and responsibilities of the General Assembly, supporting local merchants in establishing companies and the fact that the company in question is the first Commercial Tobacco Joint-Stock Company opened with local.

Keywords: