Why Did People Become Human Shields Against The Coup?

Abstract

Resistance of the people on streets in the night of July 15, against the coup staged by the officer members of FETO in Turkish army, was the primary factor that failed the attempt. The society in Turkey have seen many coups but it was the first time in the history that they stood against. There are several reasons why social segments distant to activism have acted different than before, who have taken the streets and turned their bodies to shields against tanks, guns and fighter jets. According to my analysis, these reasons may be summed up under five sections. Although I make this analysis shortly after the coup attempt and it needs to be supported by field studies, I think it frames a real-like picture regarding the question.