<DIV>Adnan Menderes' election to power in 1950 signaled a new epoch in the history of modern Turkey. For the first time, a democratic government ruled the country, challenging the political monopoly of the Kemalist elites. However, this period was short-lived. In 1960, Turkey's army staged a coup d'état and Menderes was hanged the following year. Here, Mogens Pelt examines the era of the rule of the Democratic Party and the legacy of the military intervention that brought it to an end. Although the armed forces officially returned power to the civilians in 1961, this intervention allowed the military to become a major player in Turkey's political process, weakening the role of elected politicians. This unique exploration of the Menderes period sheds new light on the shaping of post-war Turkey and will be vital for those researching the Turkish Republic, and the influence of the military in its destiny.</DIV>