Mehmet V on throne: declaration of equal rights for all subjects

The "31 March Incident" rebelled against the countercoup. On April 13, 1909, Abdul Hamid II was finally removed from the throne, and Mehmed V became the Sultan. The constitution granted by the Sultan Mehmed V, 5 August 1909, proclaimed the equality of all subjects in the matter of taxes, military service (allowing Christians into the military for the first time), and political rights. The new constitution was perceived as a big step for the establishment of a common law for all subjects. The position of Sultan was greatly reduced to a figurehead, while still retaining some constitutional powers, such as the ability to declare war.