ABSTRACT
Following a decade of increased and violent polarisation between Left and Right in Turkish politics, traditionally perceived to be the guardian of the Turkish state and constitution, the army decided to intervene to put an end to what appeared to be incipient civil war. The military intervention of 12 September, 1980 repressed both the radical Left as well as the radical Right in Turkey whilst aiming towards a period of depoliticisation in society. It crushed all political parties and particularly leftist organisations, while temporarily suspending democracy and thereby bringing normal political life to a complete halt. The coup attempted a systematic depoliticisation of the masses.
