100TH ANNIVERSARY OF TURKISH REPUBLIC
A GREAT HEROIC SAGA THE WORLD WITNESSED
One day, in 1919, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk asked Mazhar Müfit Kansu to start noting down his dictations. As he moved on with a growing surprise at every article he noted, Müfit Kansu petrified and dropped his pen when they arrived at the fourth article. “I cannot go on anymore…” said Kansu.
Mustafa Kemal’s dream of a republic was going to come true four years later.
Today, the Turks celebrate 100th anniversary of their Republic, one of the greatest heroic sagas that the world has ever witnessed.
The Turkish Republic was founded upon the Turkish Independence War fought after WWI led by the extraordinary vision of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. And this story told by Mazhar Müfit Kansu showcases Atatürk’s vision very well.
During the Erzurum Congress Atatürk asks Mazhar Müfit Kansu, who was with him when he initiated the Independence War:
– “Mazhar do you have your notebook with you?”
– “No, sir.”
– “Don’t want to bother you but please go bring it from upstairs.”
He took a few puffs from his cigarette as he saw Müfit Kansu coming downstairs with a notebook in his hand, and said: “But you’ll not show this page to anyone. It will remain as a secret until the very end between me, you and the chief secretary Süreyya. That’s my condition…”
Ataturk said, “Then, start with date.”
Early morning of July 28, 1919.
“Now, go on.” he continued.
“After the victory, the regime of government will be Republic… This is the first step. Two, necessary actions will be taken regarding the Sultan and the dynasty in due time. Three, fez will be removed and hats will be worn like civilized nations.”
At that point, Müfit Kansu got petrified and dropped his pen from his hand. With a great shock, he looked at Mustafa Kemal’s face, who was staring back at him.
It was a moment where no words needed as a lot was said through exchanged glances.
Kansu used to talk to Gazi Pasha on a first-name basis from time to time.
“Why did you hesitate?” asked Atatürk.
“Don’t be offended, Pasha, but you have a side that chases dreams,” Kansu replied.
Atatürk laughed…
“Time will tell, you go on,” he said.
…“Four, we will accept the Latin letters as alphabet instead of Arabic alphabet.”
“Enough, Pasha, that’s enough…”
said Müfit Kansu. In a manner of someone listening fantasies, “Let’s manage to declare Republic first, and we’ll see the next.”
Let’s hear the rest from Kansu’s own words:
“I closed my notebook and said, ‘Sir the day broke. If you want to continue to sit, then enjoy. I am going to rest.’ And left him. I did not know, however, how wrong I was and that the time would prove Atatürk right. Which he would remind me occasionally.”
In the following years, after establishment of the Republic, Atatürk would host dinners in Chankaya, where he governed the state. During some of them he would tease Müfit Kansu by saying “You remember how you took your notebook under your arm and told me I was a dream chaser when I told you that we would see people wearing hats?”
Another anecdote he tells goes:
“He was returning from Kastamonu having announced the hat reform. When he arrived at Ankara, as he was passing by the old parliament building he saw me standing in front of the door and called me to say:
“Mazhar, my dear, which article we are at? Have you been checking your notes?”
This small anecdote is one of the best examples to Atatürk’s visionary nature.
This citation from TACAM ‘s website, summarizes perfectly how the Republic of Turkiye was founded upon an uphill struggle and a great fight under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
“At the height of its power in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the Turkish Ottoman Empire spanned three continents, controlling much of Southeastern Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. However, at the end of WWI, as one of the losing countries the Ottomans were forced to sign the Mondros Treaty, where their army and government became powerless; the country was almost fully occupied by the victorious Allied powers. Ataturk arranged for his appointment as Inspector General of the remnant Ottoman Turkish Forces in Anatolia, and arrived at the Black Sea Port of Samsun on 19 May 1919. Rapidly he organized a public movement for freedom, which led to the key milestone of establishing the Turkish Grand National Assembly11 months later. In parallel, he was able to restructure the military forces, which under his leadership defeated stepwise the invading forces. By 26 November 1922 all invading forces had evacuated the Turkish motherland as defined in the 1920 Oath of the Nation. Thereafter, the political restructuring of the country by Ataturk led to the formal declaration of the Republic of Turkey on 29 October 1923.
Source: www.tacam.org
Despite being a great commander and having fought in the hardest battles during WWI and the subsequent Independence War of Turkiye, Atatürk always advocated that the most valuable policy that the world could adopt was peace, by saying “Peace at home, peace in the world.”, which proved to be still accurate throughout the history, I assume.
Therefore he is defined as the greatest civilizor and the peacemaker of humanity.” by Prof. Afet İnan.
Turks had the chance to have a leader who has no example anywhere in the world; one that influenced not only the Turks but also other nations and their leaders with his character, achievements, determination, foresight aside from other characteristics; gained their love and respect. And these are not something asserted by Turks but expressed by other countries of the world, their leaders and leading publications.
The celebration of such an epic success is not complete unless the founding leader of it is commemorated.
So let’s hear what other leaders and the leading presses from all around the world told about him:
***
The United States of America
Franklin D. ROOSVELT, President of U.S.A.
- “I am sorry in two ways. First of all, I, like all the world, am sorry for such a great man to pass away. Secondly, no matter how much I wanted to get to know him personally, it is now impossible for me to do that.” (On Atatürk’s death in 1938)
- “Atatürk’s devotion to his country was highly respected by the whole world.”
- “I have just received the news about Kemal. Someone who knew him personally has passed me the news. While I was in discussion with the Soviet Russian Minister of Foreign affairs Litvinof about the recognition of the Soviet Socialist Government, I had asked who the most remarkable statesman of Europe for him was. He answered promptly saying that in his opinion, the most valuable and interesting statesman in all of Europe did not live in Europe today, but beyond the Bosphorus, he lived in Ankara, and that this was the President of the Turkish Republic, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.”
John F. Kennedy, President of the U.S.A.
- “I am proud to attend to the 25th Anniversary of the Memorial Ceremony of Atatürk’s death. Atatürk reminds us of many things. The historical success of great leaders of this century, leadership that inspires the Turkish Nation, the supreme vision of the modern world, and as a soldier, high determination and bravery. The birth of the Turkish Nation from the ruins of a collapsing empire, New Türkiye’s declaration of its freedom and independence in honour and protecting it since then are the work of Atatürk and his Nation. There is no doubt that the revolutions he has carried out in his country shows how the trust of a nation brings success. There is no other example like this.” (Nov 10, 1963)
TIME Magazine, Mar. 24, 1923
- “He stands today as the Emancipator of Turkey. He has lifted the people out of the slough of servile submission to alien authority, brought them to a realization of their inherent qualities and to an independence of thought and action.”
New York Times
- “He won Lausanne; the first victory Old Asia has won over Europe in two centuries.”
- “He was one of the most talented leaders of the post war period.”
Chicago Tribune
- “One of the most attentive and attractive men has passed away from the stage of the world.”
American Press
- “America admires the determination, courage and the results of Atatürk’s deeds that many people can never achieve.”
General Wesley Clark
- “Probably no other 20th century leader did more for his country than Ataturk. He brought Turkey independence, changed its alphabet and culture, and created a secular democracy. And probably no 20th century general had any better battlefield instincts, skill or discipline.”
General C. H. SHERILL, Former American Ambassador
- “This Turkish man, admired by the whole world, has made the Turkish people proud of themselves, their history and their language. For the future of his nation, he has generated such a great power that has not been generated in the past several centuries.” –
- “Mustafa Kemal has achieved success mainly because of his endless patience.”
General McARTHUR
- “He was a military-statesman, one of the greatest leaders of our era. He ensured that Turkiye got its rightful place among the most advanced nations. Also, he gave the feeling of support and self-confidence to the Turks that form the foundation stone of a nation’s greatness. I take great pride in being one of Ataturk’s loyal friends.”
General Charles Sherill, Former Ambassador of U.S.A. to Ankara, Türkiye
- “Dinner parties given to a hundred people were no different than the ones given in European capitals. However, the ones given in the Turkish Republic made them more glamourous compared to the Europeans’ because of the solid gold tableware used that were the remainings of 2nd Mahmut (1808-1839). Apart from all, Mustafa Kemal is a serious warrior. He is strong, confident, thoughtful, hard and straightforward. However, on that night, he was a kind and gentle statesman as well as a perfect President. Every Ambassador that night felt honoured to be there with him.”
- “It should not be forgotten that Kemal has shown a brilliant strategy at Dumlupınar and has succeeded in making use of the Turkish forces that were less in number. What the Greek army faced is an exceptionally rare defeat that only a few occupying armies have witnessed in history.”
Gladys Baker, American Journalist
- “There is a proof of perfect leadership in his dominant eyes. His thick eyebrows never stay still. They rise to high, intellectual peaks and get crossed suddenly to form indescribable cracks on his forehead. He has a fare skin, tanned. He is not a brunette. His hair is blondish brown. The clean cut features of his mouth and chin show his certainity in his decisions. He is always alert, straightforward and very intelligent.”
Kordel HALL, Secretary of State, U.S.A.
- “The American Government is in a deep sorrow because of Atatürk’s death. This sorrow is not limited to the Turkish Nation and their borders. It expands widely.”
Ernest Hemingway, American Journalist and Novelist Nobel Laureate:
- “The West and the East came face to face at the second class coastal town of Mudanya on a crooked road covered with dust on the hot Marmara coast. Despite the English flag ship “Iron-Duke’s” ash-colored deathly turrets that transported the Allied generals for negotiations with Ismet Pasha, the Westerners had come here to beg for peace, not to ask for peace or to dictate the conditions. These negotiations demonstrate the end of Europe’s dominance over Asia, because as everyone knows, Mustafa Kemal got rid of all [of them]
The United Kingdom
Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom:
- “The death of Atatürk, who saved Türkiye, leaded and elevated the Turkish Nation, is a great loss not only for Turkish Nation and but also for all Europe. The sincere tears shed after him by all classes of people is nothing other than an appropriate manifestation to this great hero and modern Turkiye’s Ata.”
Lloyd George, the Prime Minister of UK, (despite being known for his hatred towards Turks he said following words while he answered the accusations and criticism in the English Parliament for the retreat of the British Army from Anatolia in 1922):
- “Dear Sirs, you may see an exceptional genius in centuries. It is very unfortunate for us that the great genius of this era came up from the Turkish Nation. There was nothing to be done against the brilliance of Mustafa Kemal.”
Times / England
- “He provided an environment full of freedom and strength that no other former generations have had before. His successes have made Turkey a European state, and he changed the history of near-east.
- “The most gentleman, dependable and friendly statesman of the era is Atatürk.”
English Press
- If the dictators and the democrats of this age were to be gifted like Atatürk, the world wouldn’t have been separated into two.
The Truth, English Magazine
- Kemal Atatürk, the President of the Turkish Republic, carries some features that we are not used to seeing in other leaders; modesty, capability and success.”
Daily Telegraph, England
- Our generation has witnessed many strong men gaining power to lead their countries. But if studied carefully, it will be seen that none of the reforms generated by other nations and states are as well considered as the ones generated by Atatürk.
Word Price (England)
- “He was a unique statesman. With a free system that dictators could not tolerate, he did things that democracies could not achieve. In history, such men have written their signatures to the period they lived.”
Herbert Sidebotham / Journalist
- “Atatürk is a modern and courageous leader who has not weakened his mind with archaic beliefs. For him, we can easily say that Ataturk, is the most potent statesman of Europe today, is undoubtedly the bravest and most original statesmen of our time.”
Switzerland
Professor MORRF
- “Creator of Turkey, the greatest man in history, I greet by bowing my head with the deepest respect.”
Sweden
Svenska Dagbladet Newspaper
- Kemal Atatürk saved his country from being torn apart completely and created a strong, modern and a national state. Atatürk has broken tha chain of the invaders. At the stage of his death, Türkiye has such an important role around the İstanbul Strait and Near East region that all the great states turn their faces to Ankara.
Nya Dagligt Allehanda Newspaper
- It can clearly be seen that Atatürk, the great chief, during his 14 years period ruling the Turkish Nation, has managed to do things that have never been done in the past centuries. The Turks will follow him and they will enhance the existing reputation of their country in the world.
Erlander, Prime Minister of Sweden
- The remainings and the deeds of Atatürk, the creator of Modern Türkiye is well known in Sweden. We have admired the development of Türkiye under the leadership of Atatürk. Türkiye has been placed on a very strong basis after many difficult reforms created and realised by Atatürk.
Spain
Arriba Newspaper
- “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 sybmol of continuous unity and reform.”
Russia
N.S.CRUSHCHEF, President of The Soviet Union, 10th November 1938
- Our nation knows the name Kemal Atatürk very well because of his efforts to give his nation freedom and his struggle for national development. Atatürk has awakened the Turkish Nation to fight with the imperialists. The first Republic of the near and middle east owes its birth to him. This Republic has been an example to many national independence movements in many countries. Atatürk believed that his fight against imperialism was a holy war and he gained the admiration of the Turkish Nation as well as the whole world. Atatürk has done much to save Türkiye from lagging back a century. The reforms he had made aimed to develop economic life, industry and agriculture. In the time of Atatürk, Türkiye’s international authority has grown and Türkiye began to play an important role in world politics.
Pravda Newspaper, Moscow, 10th November 1938
- Atatürk has been the creator and the pioneer of many reforms, such as, the declaration of the Republic, establishment of the national banks and national industry, construction of railroads, expropriation of foreign investments, seperation of religious and governmental issues, use of the Latin alphabet, acception of the women’s rights and the deletion of ranks.
Izvestia Newspaper, Moscow
- The independence movement of the new Türkiye depended totally on Kemal Atatürk and his death is a great loss for the Turkish Nation. All sincere friends of independent Türkiye feel sorrow for the loss of this great man.
Kalinin, Prime Minister of the Soviet Union
- The late President’s reputation was worldwide. Everyone loved and respected him because of his fight to gain the independence of the Turkish Nation. He has strengthened the new national structure of his country.
Norway
Le Morgen Bladet Newspaper, Oslo, 12th November 1938
- Atatürk will remain as one of the greatest men of his nation in history. Türkiye has recovered and has the opportunity to continue on the path Atatürk has taken them in a more powerful manner.
Monges Handels Newspaper, Oslo, 12th November 1938
- Atatürk has reconstructed Türkiye. He has left behind a state that will go on with its path in a confident manner.
Japan
Japan Times, Tokyo
- An amazing and an attractive person. Great as a soldier, yet even greater as a statesman.
The Japan Chronicle, Kobe
- The greatest leader Asia Minor has created in a century.
Israel
Ben Gurion, Prime Minister of Israel (1963)
There is no doubt that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was one of the greatest statesmen of the 20th century raised before the World War. No other nation in the world posesses such a brave and great reformer.”
Greece
Eleftherios Venizelos / Prime Minister of Greece during and after WWI
- “Such a fundamental change in such a short time in a nation’s history is rarely accomplished… Those who have done this extraordinary work are undoubtedly entitled to have the character of the great man, and so Turkiye can be proud to have such a great man.”
Germany
Professor Herbert Melzig / Historian
- “Those who want to re-establish peace and well-being in the suffering world and to ensure the spiritual development of humanity not only materially, should take the example and power of Atatürk’s true and leading character.”
Völkischer Beobachter Newspaper
- “Ataturk, has saved Turkey from the occupation of all enemies. This is that no heads of states have succeeded in our time.”
France
Charles de Gaulle, Former President of France
- “Turkish history is linked to the Western and European history. The efforts of Atatürk have made this possible.”
Albert Lebrun, Former President of France
- “His work with intelligent and peaceful methods will mark traces in the history of mankind.”
Claude FARRER (French Writer)
- He looks like a great mountain. The ones living on its foot cannot see that greatness. In order to grasp the greatness of this mountain, one must look at it from far away.
George Bennes / Vu Newspaper (1938)
- “I would like to remind you of a point to show a side of Kemal Atatürk’s character. He was telling a story about one of his battles. Suddenly he stopped and said; “You see … I’ve won many victories, but even after the greatest of them, I’m deeply grieved every night thinking about all the soldiers who died on the battlefields.” Can someone be amazed at the fact that such a great leader, other than his courage and his intelligence, has created miracles for his home?”
Paris-Le Temps
- Atatürk has shown the miracle of modernizing a nation in a few years.
Raymond CARTIER (Le Nouvelliste Journal)
- The great thinkers of the period have proclaimed in their books and in conferences that, Turkey would never change and would die without changing. However it has changed without dying. Has even changed from the root and from top to bottom. Beliefs, traditions and methods broke down. They have swept away from the country the last remains like the foreign battleships and capitulations. Turkey had changed its soul. Totally and as one could imagine is possible.
Denmark
National Tidence Newspaper
- “Atatürk was a giant symbol of personality and talent. He was the man who created the most extraordinary story of the twentieth century.”
China
Ma Shao- Cheng / Writer (China)
- “Mustafa Kemal is the heart of the new Turkey. He created a fresh, strong nation from an old, torn society, and proved himself to everyone with his unique personality, and convinced everyone with his energy.”
Austria
Heinrich Krippel, Austrian sculptor and painter
- “Atatürk is such a person that he is not imaginary. He knows what he wants; he does what he knows, he does not wish something that he cannot do.”
Afghanistan
Amanullah Khan / King of Afghanistan
- “This great man, not only for Turkey, he was a great leader for all eastern nations.”
This short documentary narrates foundation of the Turkish Republic in a very succint way. I hope you enjoyed the article.
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