Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: The Life and Legacy of Turkey's Founding Father By: Kerem Date: 13 Mart 2023, 20:54:56
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, born in 1881 in Selanik (now Thessaloniki in Greece), was one of the most important figures in Turkish history. He was a general during World War I and then went on to lead the Turkish War of Independence, which ultimately led to the founding of the modern Republic of Turkey.
Atatürk was involved in politics from an early age, joining the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP) in 1907. He quickly rose through the ranks and became one of the leading members of the organization. During World War I, he fought against Allied forces as a commander in the Ottoman Army.
After the war, Atatürk became disillusioned with the Ottoman government and its inability to defend the country against foreign invasion. He began to advocate for the creation of a new Turkish state, free of foreign influence. In 1919, he traveled to Samsun to start the Turkish War of Independence.
Over the course of three years, Atatürk and his forces fought against invading Greek, Armenian, and French armies. In 1923, they emerged victorious and signed the Treaty of Lausanne, which recognized the independence of the new Republic of Turkey.
As the first president of Turkey, Atatürk embarked on a series of reforms aimed at modernizing the country and building a strong, secular state. He abolished the Ottoman caliphate and replaced it with a republican form of government. He also enacted laws promoting gender equality, education, and economic development.
Atatürk died in 1938 at the age of 57. His legacy lives on in modern-day Turkey, where he is revered as a national hero and founding father of the country.