Sol'un 70'leri: Otobiyografilerle Bir Dönem Anlatısı

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the political developments and social structure of Turkey in the 1970s through autobiographical narratives produced by individuals who embraced leftist ideologies during the period, most of whom were born in the 1950s. Characterized by an exceptionally high level of politicization, the 1970s witnessed an unprecedented mass expansion of leftist movements, leading many individuals to participate in various leftist organizations. A number of these individuals have produced autobiographical works—such as memoirs, diaries, and interviews—the volume of which has notably increased over the past decade. By drawing on these narratives, the thesis aims to illuminate both the period itself and the people who lived through it. As the sources encompass not only political experiences but also extensive accounts of social, cultural, and psychological dimensions of everyday life, this source-based study adopts a holistic approach to the subject and identifies its themes accordingly. While the study investigates how the structural characteristics of the period and developments independent of individual actors are reflected in collective and personal memories, it also focuses on the subjects’ everyday practices, sociological backgrounds, and inner worlds. The temporal framework of the thesis primarily spans the period between the March 12, 1971 Military Memorandum and the September 12, 1980 Military Coup; however, these boundaries are extended where necessitated by historical and subjective considerations. Methodologically, the thesis argues that a historical period can be narrated and interpreted from the perspective of the “ordinary person.” From a historical standpoint, it contends that the “leftist generation” that emerged in the 1970s can only be fully understood through a simultaneous examination of individuals’ personal lives and the impact of broader socio-political conditions upon them.