Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
File:Ataturk23.jpg
1st 2nd 3th 4th terms President
In office 1923, 1927, 1931, 1935 – 1927, 1931, 1935, 1938
Succeeded by	İsmet İnönü
1st term Prime Minister
In office 3 May 1920 – 24 January 1921
Succeeded by	Fevzi Çakmak
1st term Speaker of the Parliament
In office 1920–1923
Succeeded by	Ali Fethi Okyar
1st Leader of the R.P.P.
In office 1921–1938
Succeeded by	Ali Fethi Okyar
Personal details
Born	350px 1881 Selânik (Thessaloniki)
Died	November 10, 1938 Dolmabahçe Palace, İstanbul
Resting place	350px
Nationality	Turkish
Political party	Republican People's Party
Spouse	Lâtife Uşaklıgil (1923–25)
Parent	350px
Signature	File:SignitureofMKAtaturk.png

Template:Infobox Mustafa Kemal Ataturk extension Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881 – November 10, 1938), army officer, revolutionary statesman, the founder of the Republic of Turkey and its first President. Mustafa Kemal established himself as a successful military commander while serving as a division commander in the Battle of Gallipoli of World War I. Following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire at the hands of the Allies, and the subsequent plans for its partition, Mustafa Kemal led the Turkish national movement in what would become the Turkish War of Independence. His successful military campaigns led to the liberation of the country and the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. Kemal implemented what is known as Atatürk's Reforms which led to sweeping changes in the political, economic and cultural sphere of the Kemalist state, striving to create a modern, democratic and secular state based on Western principles of governance.

Mustafa Kemal or commonly "Kemal Pasha" was his name until his resignation from his post in the Ottoman Empire. During the independence war the Turkish National Assembly assigned the title Gazi , hence Gazi Mustafa Kemal. On November 24, 1934 he was presented by the Turkish National Assembly with the surname "Atatürk" (meaning "Father Turk" or "Ancestor Turk"), hence Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Early life

Atatürk was born in 1881, in the Ottoman city of Selânik (Thessaloniki in present-day Greece), the son of a minor official who became a timber merchant. In accordance with the then prevalent Turkish custom, he was given a single name, Mustafa. His father, Ali Rıza Efendi, was a customs officer who died when Mustafa Kemal was seven and it was left to his mother Zübeyde Hanım, to raise the young Mustafa.

When Atatürk was 12 years old, he went to military schools in Selânik and Manastır (now Bitola, Republic of Macedonia), centres of discontent towards the Ottoman administration. Mustafa studied at the military secondary school in Selânik, where the additional name Kemal ("perfection" or "maturity", not an uncommon name) was given to him by his mathematics teacher in recognition of his academic excellence. Mustafa Kemal entered the military academy at Manastır in 1895. He graduated as a lieutenant in 1905 and was posted to Damascus under the command of the 5th Army. In Damascus, he soon joined a small secret revolutionary society of reform-minded officers called Vatan ve Hürriyet (Motherland and Liberty) and became an active opponent of the Ottoman regime. In 1907, he attained the rank of captain and was posted to the 3rd Army in Manastır (Bitola in present day Republic of Macedonia). During this period he joined the Committee of Union and Progress, commonly known as the Young Turks. The Young Turks seized power from the Sultan ‘Abdu’l-Hamid II in 1908, and Mustafa Kemal became a senior military figure.

In 1910, he took part in the Picardie army manoeuvers in France, and in 1911, he served at the Ministry of War in İstanbul. Later in 1911, he was posted to the province of Trablusgarp (Libya) to participate in the defense against the Italian invasion. Following the successful defense of Tobruk on December 22, 1911, he was appointed the commander of Derne on March 6, 1912.

He returned to Istanbul following the outbreak of the Balkan Wars in October 1912. During the First Balkan War, he fought against the Bulgarian army at Gallipoli and Bolayır on the coast of Thrace (Turkish: Trakya), and played a crucial role in the recapture of Edirne and Demotika (Didymoteicho) during the Second Balkan War. In 1913 he was appointed military attaché to Sofia, partly to remove him from the capital and its political intrigues, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1914.

Military career in World War I

Further information: [[:Middle Eastern theatre of World War I]]

When the Ottoman Empire joined World War I on the side of the German Empire in October 1914, Mustafa Kemal was still serving in Sofia.

Battle of Gallipoli, 1915

Kemal commanded 19^th division at Battle of Gallipoli, which he faced with nearly all the landings

In 1914 defense of the Dardanelles was assigned to 5^th Army under the command of German Marshal Otto Liman von Sanders. In January 1915, Kemal was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and given the task of organizing and commanding the 19^th Division, which was attached to 5^th Army. 19^th Division was stationed in the Gallipoli (Turkish: Gelibolu), which became the main force responding to landings of the Gallipoli campaign.

Mustafa Kemal in Gallipoli with soldiers, 1915.

On 8 January 1915, British War Council decided to launch the operation "to bombard and take the Gallipoli peninsula with Istanbul as its objective". On 19-25 February during an initial British scouting, a sergeant named "Mehmet" rushed a British sailor with a rock, when his rifle was jammed. Kemal publicized this incident to improve the morale of his soldiers and gave birth to the term "Turkish: Mehmetçik", which is used today as a nickname to the Turkish soldiers. In April 1915, during the first stage, Kemal held off allied forces at Chunuk Bair (Turkish: Conkbayırı), which earned him the "full" Colonel title. The second stage of the Gallipoli campaign, that was opened on 6 August, put Kemal only three hundred meters away from the firing line. Before the war ended he was the commander at the major battles; Anzac Cove, Chunuk Bair, Scimitar Hill, Sari Bair.

While ironically the evacuation was the greatest Allied success, on the Ottoman Empire side Halil Sami (9^th division) at Cape Helles, Esat Bülkat (III Corps), Yakup Şevki Subaşı (XV Corps), Otto Liman von Sanders (5^th Army) and Enver Pasha (Minister of War) had significant achievements based on their role toward the defense of straits. However, Kemal became the outstanding front-line commander and gained much respect from his former enemies for his chivalry in victory. The Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Memorial has an honoured place on ANZAC Parade in Canberra, Australia. Kemal's commemorating speech on the loss of thousands of Turkish and Anzac soldiers in Gallipoli stays at Anzac Cove.

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Words of Atatürk at the Anzac Cove commemorating the loss of thousands of Turkish and Anzac soldiers in Gallipoli

Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives… you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets where they lie side by side here in this country of ours… You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. Having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.

Caucasus Campaign, 1916

Following the Battle of Gallipoli, Mustafa Kemal served in Edirne until April of 1916.

He was given the command of XVI corps of 2^nd Army and sent to the Caucasus Campaign, with the rank of Brigadier General on April 1, 1916. Most historians believe that Enver Pasha deliberately delayed this promotion. In 1916 the Russian Caucuses army had two branches. Nikolai Nikolaevich Yudenich was in north and moving toward Trabzon while pushing the 3^rd Army. 2^nd Army was on the south facing the insurgency and two organized military force; Russian army under General Tovmas Nazarbekian and detachment Armenian volunteer units controlled by Andranik Toros Ozanian. When Kemal assigned to his post, these forces were in constant advance and an Armenian provisional government was formed with a progressive autonomous region . The Armenian administration was incrementally grew from its initial set up around of Lake Van. When Kemal arrived to the region Aram Manougian was controlling occupied regions since the beginning from the early Van Resistance. The initial stages of Battle of Bitlis and Battle of Muş were already developed and these centers were captured by opposing forces. The region was inhospitable at the best of times. It was in strain. Communication lines were under insurgency attacks. It was hard to find craftsmen to fix things. Kurds were roaming round towns whose social fabric had been destroyed. Hundreds of thousands of refugees, many of them Kurds, which had a historical significant relation to Armenian units, came flooding in front the advancing armies. Kemal's initial task was to bring presence (order) to the scared people so that his Corps can function under this human suffering. Kemal succeeded in recapturing Muş and Bitlis. In September, he had to retreat from Muş under the heavy advance of Armenian volunteer units.

During his command alongside of the strategic goal to confine the enemy within the mountainous region, Kemal concentrated on inspection of the hospitals to check the wounded, and also the mosques that became centers for helping refugees. He was given the medal golden sword of the order of "Imtiyaz", as the recognition of his military achievement and the improvement of stability of the region. His appointment from command of XVI corps to the 2^nd Army pass through on March 7, 1917.

Sinai and Palestine Campaign, 1917

File:Palestine-WW1-3-Kemals HQ.png

Sinai and Palestine Campaign in 1918, which Kemal was commanding 7^th Army from Nablus.

His command to the 2nd Army was cut short, as he was transfered to Sinai and Palestine Campaign. He was assigned to the 7^th Army. After a short visit to the 7^th Army HQ, he returned to Istanbul on October 7. He joined the crown prince Mehmed Vahdettin on a visit to Germany. During this trip he fall ill and stayed in Vienna for a medical treatment.

He returned to Aleppo on August 28, 1918. He resumed the command of the 7^th Army. His headquarters were in Nablus Palestine. He was under Liman von Sanders, whose group headquarters were in Nazaret. Afher he studied Syria throughly once again and visited the front line... His conclusion was that Syria is in a pitiable state (the 1915-1917 period had 500,000 Syrian casualties to famine). There is no (overall Ottoman) civil governor or commander. Instead, there was an abundance of English propaganda and English secret agents are everywhere. The people hate the government and look forward to the arrival of the English as soon as possible. The enemy was stronger than his forces were in men and equipment. He said "We are like a cotton thread drawn across his path."

Mustafa had Arab Revolt in his hand, which was organized by Great Britain. Liman von Sanders lost the Battle of Megiddo from the first day leaving 75,000 POW behind. Now, Allenby and Kemal's 7^th Army were face to face. Kemal retreated east, towards the Jordan. In couple days the total size of the deserters reached to 300,000 . Kemal's war was changed drastically from fighting against allies to fighting against disintegration. After a furious telegram to Sultan, "if we have a fool like Enver Pasha had not been the director-general of operations. If we did not have a commander (Ahmet Cemal Pasha) at the head of military force that abandoned the army. If above them we did not have group headquarters (Liman von Sanders) that lost the control within the first day of the battle... Now there is nothing left to do but to make peace. Kemal was appointed to the command of Yıldırım Orduları, replacing Liman von Sanders. Established his headquarters at Katma and succeeded in regaining control. He managed to resist at south of Aleppo, at the mountains. He stopped the advancing British forces (last engagements of the campaign), which Kemal's line became base of the peace agreement. Kemal's last active service to Ottoman Empire was organizing what was left behind in the southern part.

Partitioning of the Empire, 1918

See also: Partitioning of the Ottoman Empire

Kemal in Aleppo, 1918

In 30 October 1918 the Ottomans capitulated to the Allies with the Armistice of Mudros. The Ottoman Empire suffered the loss of a large amount of territory, however beginning the armistice the creation of the modern Arab world and modern Turkey began as a reaction to the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire. Kemal and his friends waged an independence war to create the modern Turkey as soon as possible and the Arab rejection developed later which established independent Syria, Iraq...

At the end of the war, Kemal was 37 years old. He was known as a difficult man, ambitious and willful, proven to be correct in his every assessment, except the Mesopotamian campaign he had his signature in every front and achievements, and finally become the General that has control of the biggest front the "Yıldırım Orduları". The "Yıldırım Orduları" was dissolved in compliance to armistice and Mustafa Kemal returned to an occupied Istanbul on November 13, 1918. He was given an administrative position at the Ministry of War.

Independence

Main article: Turkish War of Independence

The English, Italian, French and Greek forces, leaving only a part of Central Anatolia as Turkish territory began to occupy the Anatolia. Occupation of Istanbul along with the occupation of İzmir mobilized the establishment of the Turkish national movement and the Turkish War of Independence.

Initial organization (May 1919-March 1920)

Further information: [[:Initial Organization]]

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Members of the first Assembly with Kemal, Ankara, 23 April 1920

Establishment of the Turkish national movement was the first goal in Kemal's mind. The occupations had local oppositions which were disorganized through numerous local militant resistance groups and organized unions. Most of these oppositions faced with Allied crack down, and some are exiled to malta, Malta exiles. Sultan, while kept his title during the occupation of Istanbul, to escape from allied pressures initiated the Turkish Courts-Martial of 1919-20.

Kemal's active participation to resistance began with the assignment as a General Inspector of East Army whose demobilisation he has to oversee. This placed him in an ideal position to organize the resistance . Kemal stepped in Anatolia at May 19, interpreting his powers liberally, he contacted and started issuing orders to provincial governors and military commanders — calling on them to resist occupation. In June 1919 he and his close friends issued the Amasya Circular which described why Istanbul's authority was illegitimate.

The British were alarmed when they learned that the Mustafa Kemal had become an inspector general. On June 23 High Commissioner Admiral Cathrope sent a report to the British Foreign Office. The following communications brought the Ottoman government's order for the execution of Kemal. While he was in Erzurum, 8 July 1919, he resigned from the Ottoman Army. Erzurum was the gateway and portal to Turkish tribes migrating to Eastern Anatolia, which was having the Erzurum Congress at the time. He was declared a "Honorary Native" and freeman of the city, which issued him the first citizenship registration and certificate. Kemal became the city's deputy. Afther Erzum, the Sivas Congress honored him with the speaker title. Kemal called for election to establish a new parliament which would sit in Ankara. Nationalist call for the election is achieved, only assembly (Ottoman parliament) gathered in Istanbul, without Kemal. He wanted to stay in Ankara.

The last Ottoman parliament declared the Misak-ı Milli (12 February 1920) and in the following days it was dissolved by the British subsequently the Sultan.

Jurisdictional Conflict (March 1920 - March 1922)

Further information: [[:Jurisdictional Conflict]]

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Kemal and İsmet before the Battle of Dumlupınar

Kemal used this chance to establish a new Assembly in Ankara, which become the "Grand National Assembly of Turkey". Kemal become the president and the goal was declared to liberate the sultan, that was in 1920.

A "jurisdictional conflict" occurred between Istanbul and the newly established parliament, the Grand National Assembly, which was formed in Ankara in 23 April 1920. This two entity had different policies (views), to the extended of rejection of the Treaty of Sèvres, 10 August 1920. The Treaty of Sèvres signed between the Ottomans and the Allies further set up the occupation of Anatolia and caused a big drop in the legitimacy of the Istanbul government. That was unacceptable to the people represented by this new establishment. With the new constitution of 1921 popular sovereignty passed and Kemal later persuaded the deputies to move representative democracy (November 1, 1922), by abolishing the sultanate.

Sultanate abolished. Kemal was an established military strategist. He persuaded assembly to gather a national Army.

The conflict between the nationalist movement and Triple Entente powers continued on three fronts. One of these was the western front with Greece, where Turkish forces fell back in good order to the Sakarya River, eighty kilometres from the Grand National Assembly. Atatürk took personal command and decisively defeated the Greeks in the twenty-day Battle of Sakarya in August and September 1921. Final victory over the Greeks came in the Battle of Dumlupınar on August 30, 1922.

Stage for Peace (March 1922- April 1923)

Further information: [[:Stage for Peace]]

On the political front, Mustafa Kemal Pasha signed the Treaty of Kars (October 23, 1921) with the Soviet Union - a treaty of friendship in which Turkey ceded the city of Batumi, in present-day Georgia — to Lenin's Bolsheviks in return for sovereignty over the cities of Kars and Ardahan, which were lost to Tsarist Russia in Russo-Turkish War of 1877–8.

The achievement at military fronts transfered to negotiations performed during Conference of Lausanne which İsmet İnönü was the lead negotiator at the Lausanne, while Kemal was doing the same with the assembly in Ankara. There were deputies which demanded that peace can not be reached until Misak-i Milli is established. Kemal was lenient to left some questions to later tame. Through the Treaty of Lausanne which was signed on July 24, 1923, Turkey finally entered a period of peace despite irredentist opposition in the National Assembly and elsewhere.

State

For the conceptual analysis see Kemalism

Kemal is the father of the Turkish State. The Treaty of Lausanne brought the Turkish Independence and brought the end of an era with armed conflicts. However, Kemal's war did not end with the independence. He wanted to turn this independence into a state which was westernized; adaption of the civilization of the western states, such as France. The nature of the state, its organization and function, is summarized as Kemalist ideology. It constitutes ground rules for state nationalism in Turkey.

Defining, 1923-1924

In Kemal's mind the regime of the state was a Republic. Kemal was only 42, when the "Republic of Turkey" was declared.

At the declaration of the Republic while the public cheered 'We are returning to the days of the first caliphs", Kemal managed to place three pillars (instruments) of his change in the important seats (Fevzi Çakmak, Kazim Özalp and Ismet Inonu). In 1923, it was not just the old regime wanted to come back also the other ideologies wanted to have a word in the future of the new regime and its organization. Some of these ideologies were are represented by famous people, like Nazım Hikmet. Opposing to cosmopolitan Istanbul, the image of Kemal and Turkish revolutionaries were straightforward spirit of Anatolia . The policies of Kemal within the first two years had brought big changes.

Resistance, 1925-1927

In 1925, partly in response to the provocations of Sheikh Said, the Maintenance of Order Law was passed, giving Atatürk the authority to shut down subversive groups.

Democracy

For the conceptual analysis see Political reforms and Legal reforms

What Kemal cultivated between 1919-1920 was much more advance than the Ottoman Empire's democracy experience (first constitutional era and second constitutional era). Kemal promised to have a "direct government by the assembly" in 1920. Kemal defended the idea that the power of constitution (sovereignty) originates from the national assembly (national sovereignty) and not from the absolute monarch of the Ottoman Empire. The assembly solidified Kemal's position in Turkish Constitution of 1921. Constitution of 1921 gave the Kemal the tools to wage independence war as it refuted the principles of the Treaty of Sèvres by assigning the legality to the the nation, not to the monarch or its representatives (Ottoman government).

In 1923, the activities towards national sovereignty intensified with the initial backbone of legislative, judicial, and executive structures began to establish. Kemal's position was country needed an immense task of reconstruction, which required the ability to make choice in policies. Idea of "direct government by the assembly" did not survive in this environment. The day before the republic announced, Kemal defended the idea that there was a need in establishing a government with a Prime minister along side of President. Kemal was also working on the abolishment of capitulations. Kemal defended the position that a democracy can not be formed without the economic independence. Total independence was not negotiable. Kemal as adamant: the capitulations had to go, and with them all unequal concessions to foreigners and minorities, all outside interference. Kemal locked the Conference of Lausanne until the French and Italian economic demands changed. Kemal began to moving the power(s) of Caliphate into the powers of Assembly at January 1 1924. Kemal acquired the consent of İnönü, Çakmak and Özalp before abolition of the caliphate. March 1 1924 at the assembly; "The religion of Islam be elevated by ceasing to be a political instrument, as had been the case in the past." The next coming days the assembly moved the powers of Ottoman Caliphate into itself, see Abolishment. As far as Kemal's only involvement to the rest of the process came at a speech days after, which he said "There is no need to look at them as something extraordinary."

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Supervised economical developments; as part of his "full independence" program

The political system was based on the single party politics. The only party was the Republican People's Party ("Cumhuriyet Halk Fırkası" in Turkish) which was founded by Mustafa Kemal in September 9, 1923. The basic structure of a democracy; elections, assembly, government with a PM and president was established under the Kemal's leadership. The extend of his leadership is sometimes questioned. There are historians claim that Kemal did not promote democracy, yet as his biographer notes "Between the two wars, democracy could not be sustained in many richer and better-educated societies. Atatürk's enlightened authoritarianism left a reasonable space for free private lives. More could not be expected in his lifetime."

Experiment with Multi Party, 1925

Kemal's cultural revolution caused opposition. In 1925 to ease the social tensions another party was seen as a chance. Mustafa Kemal asked Kazım Karabekir to establish the Progressive Republican Party as an opposition party in the assembly. The deputies, who want to, under the assembly became the first members of this new party. The party's economic program suggested liberalism as contrast to state socialism. The party's social program was conservatism as contrast to modernism. The politics became a two party system, for a short time. It was led by some of the same leaders, who strongly supported the Kemalist revolution in principle but differed mainly cultural revolution and secularism.

After some time, the new party was taken over by people Atatürk considered fundamentalists. The Progressive Republican Party was quickly disestablished under the new law, an act he claimed was necessary for preserving the Turkish state. The closure of the party was seen by some later biographers, such as Harold C. Armstrong, as an act of dictatorship.

Experiment with Multi Party, 1930

On August 11, 1930, Mustafa Kemal decided to try a democratic movement once again. He assigned Ali Fethi Okyar to establish a new party. In Mustafa Kemal's letter to Ali Fethi Okyar, laicism was insisted on. At first, the brand-new Liberal Republican Party succeeded all around the country. But once again the opposition party became too strong in its opposition to Atatürk's reforms, particularly in regard to the role of religion in public life. Finally Ali Fethi Okyar abolished his own party and Mustafa Kemal never succeeded in democratising the parliamentary system. He sometimes dealt sternly with opposition in pursuing his main goal of democratizing the country.

Reforms

Main article: Atatürk's Reforms

Mustafa Kemal capitalized on his reputation as an efficient military leader and spent his following years, up until his death in 1938, instituting a variety of wide-ranging and progressive political, economic, and social reforms, transforming Turkish society from seeing itself as a group of Muslim subjects of a vast Empire into defining itself as the citizens of a modern, democratic, and secular nation-state.

President Ataturk of the Sovereign Turkish State leaving the Parliament Building after a meeting

The reforms included, foremost, the proclamation of the new Turkish state as a republic on October 29, 1923, giving the Turkish nation the right to exercise popular sovereignty by representative democracy. Paving the way for the proclamation of the republic was the abolition of the powers of the Ottoman Dynasty which had ruled since 1383, and ordering the last members of the dynasty to leave the country, on November 1, 1922. Also during this process, the Caliphate (the nominal leadership of all Muslims in the world) held by the Ottoman Sultan since 1517 was abolished on March 3, 1924.

The leading legal reforms instituted by Mustafa Kemal included the complete separation of government and religious affairs and the adoption of a strong interpretation of the principle of laïcité in the constitution. This was coupled with the closure of Islamic courts and the replacement of Islamic canon law with a secular civil code modeled after Switzerland and a penal code modeled after the Italian Penal Code. The reforms also included the recognition of the equality between the sexes and the granting of full political rights to women on December 5, 1934, well before several other European nations.

Another important part of Atatürk's reforms encompassed his emphasis on the Turkish language and history, leading to the establishment of Turkish Language Association and Turkish Historical Society for research on Turkish language and history, during the years 1931–2. On November 1, 1928, the new Turkish alphabet was introduced by the Language Commission at the initiative of Atatürk, replacing the previously used Arabic script. The adoption of the new alphabet, combined with the opening of Public Education Centers throughout the country and the active encouragement of people by Atatürk himself with many trips to the countryside teaching the new alphabet, succeeded in achieving a substantial increase of the public literacy rate from 20% to over 90%. The literacy reform was also supported by strengthening the private publishing sector with a new Law on Copyrights and congresses for discussing the issues of copyright, public education and scientific publishing.

Reforms in the field of economy included the establishment of many state-owned factories throughout the country for agriculture, machine, and textile industries, many of which grew into successful enterprises and became privatized during the latter half of 20th century. Atatürk considered the development of a national rail network as another important step for industrialization, and this was addressed by the foundation of Turkish State Railways in 1927, setting up an extensive rail network in a very short timespan.

Mustafa Kemal regarded the fez (in Turkish "fes", which Sultan Mahmud II had originally introduced to the Ottoman Empire's dress code in 1826) as a symbol of feudalism and banned it, encouraging Turkish men to wear European attire. Notwithstanding the strong Islamic proscription against alcoholic beverages, he encouraged domestic production of alcohol and established a state-owned spirits industry. He was known to have an appreciation for the national beverage, rakı, and enjoyed it in vast quantities.

Atatürk's reforms were regarded as being too rapid by some. In his quest to modernize Turkey, he effectively abolished centuries-old traditions by means of reforms to which much of the population was unaccustomed but nevertheless willing to adopt. In some cases, these reforms were seen as benefiting the urban elites rather than the generally illiterate inhabitants of the rural countryside, where religious sentiments and customary norms tended to be stronger. In particular, Atatürk's strict religious reforms met with some opposition; and to this day, they continue to generate a considerable degree of social and political tension. In the future, political leaders would draw upon dormant forces of religion in order to secure positions of power, only to be blocked by the interventions of the powerful military (as in 1960 when Prime Minister Adnan Menderes was overthrown by the military), which has always regarded itself as the principal and most faithful guardian of secularism.

Kurds also criticize Atatürk for disregarding their cultural distinctions in pursuing a Turkish national identity. In 1925, an uprising for an independent Kurdistan, led by Seyh Sait, was put down quickly, and Sait and 36 of his followers were executed soon thereafter. Kurds accuse successive Turkish governments of suppressing their identity through such means as the banning of Kurdish language in print and media. Atatürk believed the unity and stability of a country lay in a unitary political identity, relegating cultural and ethnic distinctions to the private sphere. Many Kurds did not relinquish their identities however, eventually giving rise to large-scale armed conflict between the Turkish armed forces and the PKK throughout the 1980s and 1990s, leaving over 35,000 dead. Recent moves by the Turkish government have provided Kurds with greater rights and freedoms, particularly in regards to the Kurdish language, education, and media.

Cultural Revolution

See also: People of Turkey

Kemal vising Pertek People's House

Mustafa Kemal capitalized on his reputation as the nations father and spent until his death in 1938 instituting a variety of wide-ranging reforms transforming Turkish society from seeing itself as a group of Muslim subjects of a vast Empire into defining itself as the citizens of a modern, democratic, and secular nation-state; the "People of Turkey".

The first public mention of the Kemal's program to implement cultural revolution came at the Bursa speech. "A nation which does not practice science, such a nation, one must admit has no place in the high road of civilization. But our nation with its true qualities deserves to become and will become civilized and progressive."

Education

For the conceptual analysis see Educational reforms

Kemal's idea of national development was all encompassing, see Educational reforms. Besides the main educational reforms, he was interested in forming a background (skill base) in the country. In a Bursa 1925, Kemal asked to train waiters in providing the table service, which training should cover etiquette and economics". His adult education ideas find its way in People's Houses. Turkish women were thought not only child care, dress-making and household management, but also the tools which they can use to become part of general economy.

Social

For the conceptual analysis see Social reforms

Kemal's social integration program; Teaching knitting to integrate women into economy

From the Kemal's personal notes (journal) it is evident that he began to develop his social revolution very early. Kemal constantly developed conclusions about discussions with his staff on issues like abolishing the veiling of women and integration to social life. In his note at November 1915 "the social change can come by (1) Educating capable mothers, knowledgeable about life (2) giving freedom to women. (3) A man can change, morals, thoughts, and feelings by leading a common life with woman as there is an inborn tendency towards the attraction of mutual affection." wrote.

Arts

Opening the State Art and Sculpture Museum in Ankara.

Atatürk once stated: "Culture is the foundation of the Turkish Republic". His view of culture included both his own nation's creative legacy and what he saw as the more admirable values of world civilization, and he put an emphasis on humanism above all. He once described modern Turkey's ideological thrust as "a creation of patriotism blended with a lofty humanist ideal".

In 1934, upon Kemal's order, Semiha Berksoy played the leading role in "Özsoy" (composed by Adnan Saygun), the first ever Turkish opera work, staged at the People's House in Ankara.

To assist in the creation of such a synthesis, Atatürk stressed the need to utilize the elements of the national heritage of the Turks and of Anatolia, including its ancient indigenous cultures as well as the arts and techniques of other world civilizations, both past and present. He emphasized the study of earlier civilizations, foremost of which being the Sumerians, later founding a SumerBank in Turkey, as well as other Anatolian civilizations such as the Hittites, Phrygians, and Lydians. The pre-Islamic culture of the Turks became the subject of extensive research, and particular emphasis was laid upon the fact that, long before the Seljuk and Ottoman civilizations, the Turks had had a rich culture. Atatürk also stressed the folk arts of the countryside as a wellspring of Turkish creativity.

The visual and the plastic arts, whose development had on occasion been arrested by some Ottoman officials claiming that the depiction of the human form was idolatry, were highly encouraged and supported by Atatürk, and these flourished in the new Turkish republic. Many museums were opened; architecture began to follow modern trends; and classical Western music, opera, and ballet, as well as the theatre, also took greater hold. Several hundred "People's Houses" and "People's Rooms" across the country allowed greater access to a wide variety of artistic activities, sports, and other cultural events. Book and magazine publications increased as well, and the film industry began to grow.

Last days, 1937-1938

During 1937, indications of Atatürk's worsening health started to appear, and while he was on a trip to Yalova during the beginning of 1938 he encountered serious illness. After a short period of treatment he spent in Yalova, an apparent improvement with his health was observed, but his condition again worsened following his journeys first to Ankara, and then to Mersin and Adana, in relation to the political developments regarding the status of the Republic of Hatay. Upon his return to Ankara in May, he was recommended to go to İstanbul for recovery and treatment, where he was at last diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver.

During his time in İstanbul, he made an effort to keep up with his regular lifestyle for a while, heading the Council of Ministers meeting, working on the Hatay issue, and hosting the King Carol II of Romania during his visit in June. He stayed onboard his newly arrived yacht Savarona until the end of July, after which the status of his health again worsened and he moved to a room arranged for him at the Dolmabahçe Palace. On his will written on September 5, 1938, he donated all of his possessions to the Republican People's Party, bound to the condition that, through the yearly interest of his funds, his sister Makbule and his adopted children will be looked after, the higher education of the children of İsmet İnönü will be funded, and the Turkish Language Association and Turkish Historical Society will be given the rest.

Atatürk died, at age 57, at the Dolmabahçe Palace on November 10, 1938. His lifestyle had always been strenuous. Alcohol consumption during dinner discussions, smoking and very long hours hard at work with little sleep, and working on his projects and dreams had been his way of life. As the historian Will Durant had said, men devoted to war, politics, and public life wear out fast, and all three had been the passion of Atatürk.

Family and personal life

Dancing with the adopted daughter Nebile at her wedding on January 17, 1929

Kemal married only once. He married Latife Hanım (Uşaklıgil) on January 29, 1923, which lasted until August 5, 1925.

Atatürk adopted his daughters Afet (İnan), Sabiha (Gökçen), who later became the first female combat pilot in the world, Fikriye, Ülkü, Nebile, Rukiye, Zehra and his son Mustafa. Additionally, he had two children under his protection, Abdurrahim and İhsan. Out of the 5 siblings of Atatürk, four died at early ages and only his sister Makbule (Atadan) survived, living until 1956.

In times of leisure, he mainly enjoyed reading, horse riding and swimming. He was very interested in dancing, taking pleasure in waltz on almost every opportunity, as well as the traditional Zeibek folk dances of Rumelia. He also had an appreciation of Rumelian folk songs. He attached importance to his horse Sakarya and his dog Fox. Atatürk was fluent in French and German, and maintained a rich personal library of books on politics, history, and linguistics.

Legacy

Peace at home, peace in the world

During Atatürk's later years, the newly-founded Republic of Turkey hosted visits of many foreign monarchs and heads of state to Ankara and Istanbul including, in chronological order, King Amanullah Khan of Afghanistan (May 1928), Prime Minister of Hungary Count István Bethlen (October 1930), King Faisal I of Iraq (June 1932), Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos of Greece (October 1932), King Alexander I of Yugoslavia (October 1933), Shah Reza Pahlavi of Persia (June 1934), King Gustav V Adolf of Sweden (October 1934), King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom (September 1936), King Abdullah I of Jordan (June 1937), and King Carol II of Romania (June 1938). Many of the visits meaningfully coincided with the Republic Day, October 29, the anniversary of the declaration of the new Turkish Republic by the Turkish Grand National Assembly, in 1923.

Mustafa Kemal participated in forging close ties with the former enemy, Greece, culminating in a visit to Ankara by Greek premier Eleftherios Venizelos, in 1932. Venizelos even forwarded Atatürk's name for the 1934 Nobel Peace Prize, highlighting the mutual respect between the two leaders. Atatürk was visited in 1931 by General Douglas MacArthur of the United States, during which the two exchanged their views on the state of affairs in Europe which would eventually lead to the outbreak of World War II. MacArthur expressed his admiration of Atatürk on many occasions and stated that he "takes great pride in being one of Atatürk's loyal friends" .

• 
  Atatürk hosting a reception at the USSR Embassy in Ankara, on November 7, 1927
• Atatürk and Eleftherios Venizelos, the Prime Minister of Greece, at the Republic Day's Ball in Ankara, on October 29, 1932
  Atatürk and Eleftherios Venizelos, the Prime Minister of Greece, at the Republic Day's Ball in Ankara, on October 29, 1932
• Atatürk hosting the King of Sweden Gustav V Adolf in Ankara, October 1934
  Atatürk hosting the King of Sweden Gustav V Adolf in Ankara, October 1934

Turkey

Anıtkabir (1944–53), Kemal Atatürk's mausoleum in Ankara.

His successor, İsmet İnönü, fostered a posthumous Atatürk personality cult which has survived to this day, even after Atatürk's own Republican People's Party lost power following democratic elections in 1950. Atatürk's face and name are seen and heard everywhere in Turkey: his portrait can be seen in all public buildings, in schools, in all kinds of school books, on all Turkish banknotes, and in the homes of many Turkish families. It is common even after so many years, in addition to commemorative ceremonies on November 10, at 09:05 a.m. (the exact time of his death), many vehicles and people will pause for one minute in remembrance all over the country at the same instant.

He is commemorated by many memorials all over Turkey, like the Atatürk International Airport in Istanbul, Atatürk Bridge over the Golden Horn (Haliç), Atatürk Dam, Atatürk Stadium, and Anıtkabir, the mausoleum where he is now buried. Atatürk statues loom over Istanbul and other Turkish cities, and practically any larger settlement has its own memorial to him. There are also several memorials to Atatürk internationally, such as his statue in Havana, Cuba, Atatürk Memorial in Wellington, New Zealand (which also serves as a memorial to the ANZAC forces that died at Gallipolli), the Atatürk Forest in Israel, and the Atatürk Memorial in the place of honour on ANZAC drive in Canberra, Australia. He also has a road named after him in the heart of Dhaka city in Bangladesh, the Kemal Attaturk Avenue, one of the busiest and well-known streets of the city.

Atatürk sought to modernize and democratise a new Turkish Republic from the remnants of the Ottoman Empire. In his quest to do so, Atatürk had implemented far-reaching reforms, the consequence of which has led Turkey towards the European Union today. The emphasis placed on secularism and nationalism had also led to a degree of conflict within society. Some practicing Muslims found the idea of secularism as being against the teaching of Islam, and criticise the state for not allowing full freedom of religion. In Turkey to this day Islam is still curbed and women are not allowed to wear their headscarves in public buildings. Ethnic minorities such as Kurds have also sought to gain more cultural rights, which in the past, has been limited by the promotion of Turkish nationalism. Despite these conflicts, Atatürk continues to be revered throughout Turkey and his principles remain the backbone of modern Turkish politics.

Worldwide

See also: Atatürk Centennial

In 1981, the centennial of Atatürk's birth, the memory of Atatürk was honored by the United Nations and UNESCO by declaring it The Atatürk Year in the World and adopting the Resolution on the Atatürk Centennial.

• TIME 21 February 1927
  TIME 21 February 1927
• TIME March 24, 1923Atatürk on the cover of Time magazine, the title reads "Where is a Turk his own master?"
  TIME March 24, 1923Atatürk on the cover of Time magazine, the title reads "Where is a Turk his own master?"

Images of Atatürk

There is a media section, which has extensive a collection of images under the Commons:Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Media

• (The sound file of the message by U.S. President John F. Kennedy on Kemal Atatürk, 1963)
• File:JFKennedy1963 text.pdf (The Text of the message by President John F. Kennedy on Atatürk)
• File:IsmetInonu1963.ogg (The sound file of the message by President İsmet İnönü on Kemal Atatürk, November 10, 1963)
• (The Text of the message by President İsmet İnönü on Atatürk)
• (The sound file of the message by President Cemal Gürsel on Kemal Atatürk, November 10, 1963)
• File:CemalGursel1963 text.pdf (The Text of the message by President Cemal Gürsel on Atatürk)

See also

• The History of Turkish-Jewish Relations
• Kemalism

References

• Kinross, Patrick (2003). Atatürk: The Rebirth of a Nation. Phoenix Press. ISBN 1-84212-599-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
• Mango, Andrew (2004). Atatürk: The Biography of the founder of Modern Turkey. John Murray. ISBN 0719565928.

External links

• Ataturk.org, Site with general information on the founder and first president of the Turkish Republic.
• Ataturk.net, a website dedicated to Atatürk
• Longest Atatürk Biography Template:Tr icon
• His biography and reforms
• Atatürk Gallery by the Ministry of Culture, Republic of Turkey
• Biography, the Revolutions and a speech excerpt from the Ministry of Culture, Republic of Turkey
• Memorial to Ataturk in Istanbul at the Sites of Memory webpage
• www.turkishnews.com/Ataturk/life.htm Turkishnews.com — Atatürk's life
• Ataturk Center of Azerbaijan Template:Az icon
• Ataturks Life