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Liberation of the Turkish Republic (1923)



Establishment of the Turkish Republic (1923)
The establishment of the Turkish Republic was a turning point in Türkiye's formation as a modern nation-state after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. This process began in the early 20th century, when the Ottoman Empire participated in World War I and suffered great losses.


The Collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the War of Independence
The defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I led to the occupation of the empire and the official end of the Ottoman Empire. During this period, Ottoman lands were occupied, especially with the Armistice of Mudros signed at the end of the war and the Treaty of Sevres that followed. The Treaty of Sevres envisaged leaving a large part of Ottoman lands to the occupying forces. However, the Turkish people, who did not accept this situation, started the War of Independence.



Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and the War of Independence
The leader of the War of Independence was Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who organized the Turkish nation's struggle for independence and was the most important figure in this struggle. He went to Samsun in 1919 and began to organize the people, and on April 23, 1920, he established the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) in Ankara. In 1922, the Turkish army ended the Greek occupation and advanced as far as Izmir, winning the War of Independence, and with the victory of the Turkish army in the same year, the Ottoman government in Istanbul effectively ended.



Proclamation of the Republic
On October 29, 1923, the Republic of Turkey was declared under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. On this date, the republican regime was accepted, the sultanate was abolished and sovereignty was given to the people unconditionally. Atatürk was elected as the first President of the Republic of Turkey by the Turkish Grand National Assembly. With the declaration of the Republic, a state structure based on the will of the people was established and the absolute sovereignty of the sultan was ended.


Reforms of Ataturk
With the declaration of the Republic, Atatürk initiated a great transformation process. During this process, comprehensive reforms were made in many areas such as law, education, economy, women's rights and language in Türkiye.
Reform of Law and Education: Atatürk abolished the Sharia law inherited from the Ottoman Empire and replaced it with a secular, modern legal system. Radical changes were also made in education, village institutes and modern schools were opened and the level of education of the people was raised.
Women's Rights: Important steps were taken, such as giving women the right to vote and ensuring that they had a greater place in social life. In 1934, women were granted the right to vote and be elected, and Turkey ranked first in the world in this area.
Language Reform: Atatürk aimed to simplify Turkish and make it easier for the public to understand. For this purpose, the Turkish Language Association was established and Turkish equivalents were used instead of words of Arabic and Persian origin.
Economic Reforms: In the early years of the Republic, great steps were taken for economic development. Modernization was carried out in agriculture, industrialization was encouraged, and the first factories in Türkiye were established.




The Legacy of Ataturk
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk laid the foundations of the Republic of Turkey and built a modern, democratic and secular state on these foundations. With the declaration of the Republic, the sovereignty of the people came to the fore, the country modernized rapidly and great advances were made in the scientific field. Atatürk was highly respected both in Türkiye and around the world and was considered a historically important leader.


The Global Impact of the Republic
The Republic of Turkey was closely monitored by Western powers in its early years. Atatürk's foreign policy prioritized peace and national independence with the principle of "Peace at home, peace in the world." In addition, Atatürk's reforms in the name of secularism and modernization set an example for other states, especially in the Middle East.

Conclusion
The establishment of the Republic of Turkey, not only the establishment of a state but also the declaration of sovereignty of its people, was a great step taken in the name of freedom and independence. Atatürk's vision and the reforms he carried out transformed Türkiye into a modern state. This revolutionary change set an example not only for Türkiye but for the entire world.