Ataturk - A Biography
Atartuk, the founder and first president of the Turkish republic, is one of the most notable figures of the 20th Century. Born in May 1881, he is distinguished as one of the great leaders in history who have decisively transformed the life of a nation, and given great inspiration to the world at large. Originally Mustafa Kemal, the honorary title ‘Atartuk' was bestowed on him by the Grand National Assembly and means "Father of the Turks"
In 1886, against his parents' advice, Atartuk enrolled into a military high school in the Ottoman city of Minastir. In 1889, he joined the War College in Constantinople and graduated in 1902. After graduating from the War Academy in 1905, he was assigned to Damascus as a lieutenant. Two years later he was promoted to the rank captain, assigned to Minastir and joined the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP). In later years, he became known for openly expressing his disapproval of polices pursued by the CUP leadership.
In 1908, Atartuk was part of the Young Turk Revolution which seized power from Adbulhamid II. In 1910, he was involved in the Picardie army maneuvers in France. In 1911, after serving briefly in the Ministry of War, Atartuk fought against the Italians in Libya and later in the Balkan Wars (1912 – 1913).
Atartuk made a name for himself in 1915 when he repelled the allied invasion at the Dardanelles. When the allies eventually defeated the Ottoman Empire in 1919, he led the Turkish National Movement in what would later become the Turkish War of Independence. In 1921, a provisional government was established in Ankara. His sustained military campaigns led to liberation in 1923, and the subsequent establishment of the Republic of Turkey.
Following the liberation, Atartuk began a program of radical political, cultural and economic reforms to modernize Turkey. His reforms were strongly influenced by western ideals, since he believed that Turkey would only advance into the future by adopting principles from the European countries. These reforms included dress code, replacing the Arabic script with a Latin one, calendar and alphabet, the abolition of all Islamic institutions and the introduction of Western legal codes and the emancipation of women. He also introduced a political model that derived many elements from the Western systems, though he never made room for political pluralism, allowing only his own Republican Peoples' Party.
Atartuk has been recognized worldwide as a peacemaker who upheld the principles of humanism and the dream of a united humanity. He is famously remembered for saying, "Unless the life of a nation faces peril, war is a crime. The swiftest and most effective measure is to establish an international organization which would prove to the aggressor that its aggression can not pay". During the centennial of his birth in 1981, the United Nations and UNESCO honored his memory.
Atartuk led the Republic of Turkey for fifteen years until his death in 1938. His Mausoleum in Ankara is one of the key tourist attractions to visit in Turkey.
In 1886, against his parents' advice, Atartuk enrolled into a military high school in the Ottoman city of Minastir. In 1889, he joined the War College in Constantinople and graduated in 1902. After graduating from the War Academy in 1905, he was assigned to Damascus as a lieutenant. Two years later he was promoted to the rank captain, assigned to Minastir and joined the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP). In later years, he became known for openly expressing his disapproval of polices pursued by the CUP leadership.
In 1908, Atartuk was part of the Young Turk Revolution which seized power from Adbulhamid II. In 1910, he was involved in the Picardie army maneuvers in France. In 1911, after serving briefly in the Ministry of War, Atartuk fought against the Italians in Libya and later in the Balkan Wars (1912 – 1913).
Atartuk made a name for himself in 1915 when he repelled the allied invasion at the Dardanelles. When the allies eventually defeated the Ottoman Empire in 1919, he led the Turkish National Movement in what would later become the Turkish War of Independence. In 1921, a provisional government was established in Ankara. His sustained military campaigns led to liberation in 1923, and the subsequent establishment of the Republic of Turkey.
Following the liberation, Atartuk began a program of radical political, cultural and economic reforms to modernize Turkey. His reforms were strongly influenced by western ideals, since he believed that Turkey would only advance into the future by adopting principles from the European countries. These reforms included dress code, replacing the Arabic script with a Latin one, calendar and alphabet, the abolition of all Islamic institutions and the introduction of Western legal codes and the emancipation of women. He also introduced a political model that derived many elements from the Western systems, though he never made room for political pluralism, allowing only his own Republican Peoples' Party.
Atartuk has been recognized worldwide as a peacemaker who upheld the principles of humanism and the dream of a united humanity. He is famously remembered for saying, "Unless the life of a nation faces peril, war is a crime. The swiftest and most effective measure is to establish an international organization which would prove to the aggressor that its aggression can not pay". During the centennial of his birth in 1981, the United Nations and UNESCO honored his memory.
Atartuk led the Republic of Turkey for fifteen years until his death in 1938. His Mausoleum in Ankara is one of the key tourist attractions to visit in Turkey.
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