Balkan Nationalism

• The Balkan peninsula was ruled over by the Ottoman Empire for centuries

• As nationalism spread throughout Europe, the diverse ethnic groups living in the region started pushing for freedom from foreign rule

• The most vocal of these groups were the Young Turks, who wanted to establish a more liberal government

• In the first two decades of the 20th century, the Young Turks led many revolutions and movements against the sultan, creating a government and constitution in the Ottoman Empire

• In the early years of WWI, the Young Turk government, motivated by nationalism, was responsible for the genocide and forced removal of millions of Armenians, Christian minorities in the empire who were demanding independence

NATIONAL HERO OF TURKEY

MUSTAFA KEMAL ATATÜRK

NATIONAL HERO OF TURKEY

MUSTAFA KEMAL ATATÜRK

Atatürk was born in 1881 in Selanik, a Turkish province in Greece.

His father was Ali Rıza Efendi, and his mother was Zübeyde Hanım. His parents called him Mustafa.

His father , Ali Rıza Efendi died when Mustafa started primary school, so they moved to another city and lived with his uncle. He worked on his uncle's farm for some time. Then he went back to Selanik and started Şemsi Efendi School again. Later, he passed the required exam to gain entrance to military school.

He completed military school and joined the army as a young officer, fighting in the Dardanelle Wars. He then became the chief commander of the Turkish Independence War.

On March 19, 1920, he invited all the Turkish patriots to Ankara and then opened the Turkish Grand National Assembly by a religious ceremony on April 23. Since 1927 that day has become become Children's Day (Turkish: Çocuk Bayramı). It’s also the only festival which is dedicated to children in the world.

Atatürk founded the Republic of Turkey on the October 29, 1923 and he became its first president. In 1934, the Turkish Grand National Assembly gave him the surname "Atatürk” which translates to mean “the Father of Turks” in English.

On 29 January 1923, Mustafa Kemal married Latife Uşaklıgil. In his leisure time, he enjoyed reading and writing (books and a personal journal), horse riding, playing chess, and swimming. He was also an avid dancer and enjoyed both the waltz and traditional Zeybek folk dances.

He wrote many books about politics and military. He also wrote a geometry book in the last years of his life.

One of the most important legacies of Atatürk to his nation is the book “Nutuk” which tells his memories from Independence War till his reformations.

His six principles still serve today as a sign post for establishing a democratic government:

Republicanism: This is the principle which forms the main construction and shape of the Turkish Government. This is the system in which equality is the main idea. Everybody has the right to participate in the elections.

Nationalism: Turkish people are keen on their independence and liberty.They have a strong feeling of love and pride for Turkey.

Secularism: It doesn’t merely mean the seperation of state and religion but also the seperation of religion from educational,cultural and legal affairs.

Populism: This is the principle that protects the rights of people without class distinctions. The best diplomacy should be used for sake of the people. Nobody has got more rights than others.

Reformism: It means making changes and replacing traditional institutions with modern institutions. These changes help people rise to the level of modern and civilized societies.

Statism: Turkey’s complete modernisation is very much dependent on economic and technological development. The state must regulate the country’s general economic activity.

Ataturk's Revolutions

Political Revolutions

The Sultanete was abolished in 1922, November 1st.

The Republic was declared in 1923, October 29th.

Social Reformations

The activities of religious sects were banned by law. ( 1925)

The Metric system was introduced. ( 1931)

Western calender was introduced. ( 1925)

International numeric system was introduced. ( 1928)

Educational and Cultural Reformations

Introduction and the acceptance of the Roman alphabeth. ( 1928 )

The foundation of Turkish History Institution

The foundation of Turkish Language Institution

● Peace at home, peace in the world.

● Teachers are the one and only people who save nations.

● Do not be afraid of telling the truth.

● To see me does not necessarily mean to see my face. To understand my thoughts is to have seen me.

● Victory is for those who can say “Victory is mine”. Success is for those who can begin saying “I will succeed” and say “I have succeeded” in the end.

● Unless a nation's life faces peril, war is murder.

Atatürk’s Quotes

On November 10, 1938, following an illness of a few months, the national liberator and the Father of modern Turkey died. But his legacy to his people and to the world still endures.

Atatürk’s body rests today in his mausoleum, called “Anıtkabir”, in Ankara.

Annually, children visit Atatürk’s Mausoleum where they perform dances and read poems. They show their love for Atatürk and their nation.

● BULGARIA

No country has reached a strong and speedy modernisation movement from the root, as was achieved by the Father of the New Turkey.

Bulgarian Dness Journal

● GREECE

-Turkey is in possession of a genius man that friends and foes are astounded with.

Katimerini

-In the life of a nation it is very seldom that changes to such a radical degree were carried out in such a short period of time... Without a doubt, those who have done these extraordinary activities have earned the attributes of a great man in the complete sense of the world. And because of this, Turkey can be proud of itself. (October 31, 1933)

Eleutherios Venizelos, Prime Minister of Greece

● HUNGARY

-Ataturk has been the first man in our century to prove the historical fact which is, “there is nothing that can not be done."

Esti Ujsag.Magjar

-The world has become destitute with the death of this great man, the hero of war and peace.

Pester Lioyd Journal

● POLAND

There is no domain where his creative and vivacious patriotism has not got into action.

Gazeta Polska

●SPAIN

-The military genius and a stateman’s philosophic genius were collected in Atatürk.

-The great Turkish nationalist has passed away but his masterpiece is alive and it is climbing the steps that will take it to the road to power every day. The Mausoleum of Kemal Atatürk in Ankara is the symbol of continuous unity and reform.”

Arriba Newspaper