Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

[Islamic faith&Secularism]

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ATATURK, FOUNDER OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC AND THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was born in a three-storey pink house at Islahhane Street, Kocakasim District, Salonika in 1881. His father was Ali Riza Efendi and mother was Zübeyde Hanim. His paternal grand father Hafiz Efendi is a member of Kocacik Nomads from Konya and Aydin region, which was settled in Macedonia during 14th-15th centuries. His mother Zübeyde Hanim, also a daughter of an old Turkish family, settled in the town of Langasa near Salonika. Ali Riza Efendi who worked in various areas such as; a military officer, a pious foundation clerk and for some time a timber merchant and got married with Zübeyde Hanim in 1871. Four of Atatürk's five siblings died at an early age, only his sister Makbule Atadan survived and lived until 1956.

Little Mustafa commenced his education in Hafiz Mehmet Efendi's neighbourhood school, later he was transferred to Semsi Efendi School, because his father wished so (Comparatively modern education at the time.) During his primary education, he lost his father in 1888. For a while he stayed on his uncle's farm in Rapla, returned to Salonika and completed his primary education. He enrolled to Salonika Junior High School for Civil Servants. After a short time in 1893, he transferred to Military Junior High School. It is at this school his math teacher Mustafa Bey, added Kemal to his name in between 1896-1899, Mustafa Kemal finished Monastir Military Senior High School and commenced Military College in Istanbul. In 1902 he graduated with the rank of lieutenant and continued his education in Military Academy. In January 1905 he completed the Academy and graduated with the rank of a captain. His first appointment was in 5 Army in Damascus in between 1905-1907. He was promoted to adjutant major in 1907 and appointed to 3 Army in Monastery. He was the Chief of Staff of the Army Corps which entered Istanbul on 19 April 1909. He was sent to France in 1910 and took part in Picardie Manoeuvres. In 1911 he was back in Istanbul and started to work under the Command of General Staff.

Mustafa Kemal and a group of friends took part in Tobruk and Derna Fronts during the war which started in 1911 against the Italians who were attacking Tripoli (Libya). He won the Battle of Tobruk against the Italian forces on 22 December 1911. He was then appointed to Derna Front as the Commander-in-Chief on 6 March 1912.

When the Balkan War started in October 1912, Mustafa Kemal joined the battle with units in Gelibolu (Gallipoli) and Bolayir. He greatly contributed to the retrieval of Edirne and Dimetoka (Dhidhimotikhon). In 1913 he was appointed to Sofia as the military attache. During his assignment in Sofia he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. His duty as the military attache ended in January 1915. During his stay in Sofia, the First World War had started and the Ottoman Empire had become obliged to enter in this war. Mustafa Kemal was appointed to Tekirdag to organize the 19 Division.
It is in the First World War, which started in 1914, that Mustafa Kemal wrote an heroic epic and made the legend of Dardanelles are Impassable against Entente troops in Gallipoli. On 18 March 1915, when British and French navies failed to break in through the Straits of Dardanelles with heavy losses, the decision to land troops on the Gallipoli peninsula had been given. Under the command of Mustafa Kemal, 19 Division halted the enemy forces, which landed in Ariburnu -now called Anzak Koyu (Anzac Cove)- on 25 April 1915 at Conkbayir. Mustafa Kemal was promoted to full colonel after this great success. British forces started attacking again from Ariburnu on 6-7 August 1915. Anafartalar Group Commander Mustafa Kemal won the victory of Battle of Anafartalar on 9-10 August. Following this, he also won the victories of Battle of Kirectepe on 17 August and Second Battle of Anafartalar on 21 August. The Turkish nation defended her honour in Gallipoli (Battle of Canakkale) against Entente States by losing approximately 253,000 of her sons to martyrdom. Mustafa Kemal's famous order to his soldiers "I do not order you to attack, I order you to die", had changed the destiny of this Front.

In 1916 after Gallipoli, Mustafa Kemal took duties in Edirne and in Diyarbakir. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1 April 1916. He took part in the battles against Russian forces by which Mus and Bitlis were liberated. After short duties in Damascus and Aleppo, he returned to Istanbul in 1917. He went to Germany with Heir Apparent Prince Vahdeddin Efendi for observations in the European Western Front. He became sick after this trip and received treatment in Vienna and Carlsbad. He returned to the Front on 15 August 1918 as the Commander-in-Chief of the 7 Army in Aleppo. At this front he achieved the most successful defensive battles in history against the British forces. He was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Lightning Army Group on 31 October 1918, just one day after the signing of the truce in Moudros. After the abolishment of this Army Group he was appointed for a duty in the Ministry of War in Istanbul on 13 November 1918.

After the beginning of the occupation of the country and demobilization of the Ottoman armies according to the Moudros Truce, Mustafa Kemal arrived in Samsun on 19 May 1919 as the Inspector General of the 9 Army. On 22 June 1919, he issued the Amasya Circular, declaring that the nation's determination and decision will restore the nation's independence and called for the gathering of Congress in Erzurum and Sivas. Between 23 July and 7 August 1919 delegates from all over the country gathered in Erzurum and then between 4 September and 11 September 1919 in Sivas, determining the path to follow in order to gain nation’s independence. On 27 December 1919 he was welcomed in Ankara with great enthusiasm. 23 April 1920, the first day of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, was one of the very important steps on the way to the founding of the Turkish Republic. Mustafa Kemal was elected as the first Speaker of the House and the Head of the Government. The Turkish Grand National Assembly started preparing and passing the new laws necessary for implementing the Independence War successfully.

The Turkish Independence War was started when the first bullet was fired against the enemy during the occupation of Izmir by the Greek forces on 15 May 1919. Victors of the First World War, by signing of the Sevres Agreement, started the occupation of their shares of the Ottoman Empire. At the beginning, resistance against occupation forces started with militia forces, namely Kuva-i Milliye (National Forces). The Turkish Grand National Assembly established the regular army and successfully led the Independence War to victory by integrating the militia forces into the regular army.
The important stages of the Independence War under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal were,

• Liberation of Sarikamis (20 September 1920), Kars (30 October 1920) and Gümrü (7 November 1920).

• Defences of Cukurova, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa and Kahraman Maras (1919-1920).

• Victory at the First Battle of Inönü (6-10 January 1920)

• Victory at the Second Battle of Inönü (23 March-1 April 1920).

• Victory at the Battle of Sakarya (23 August-13 September 1921).

• Great Offensive, Battle of Dumlupinar (Battle of Commander-in-Chief) and the Great (Final) Victory (26 August-9 September 1922).

After the victory at the Battle of Sakarya, the Turkish Grand National Assembly promoted Mustafa Kemal to the rank of Field Marshal and granted him the title of Gazi-the Victorious Fighter. The Independence War was ended by the Lausanne Peace Treaty on 24 July 1923. Thus, all the impediments of the Sevres Agreement had been removed and integrity of the Turkish land had been accomplished by the signing of the Lausanne Agreement. There were no obstructions left on the way to establish the new Turkish State based on national solidarity.

Founding of the Turkish Republic had been heralded by the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly on 23 April 1920. National Assembly's successful administration during the Independence War had secured the founding of the new Turkish State. Caliphate and Sultanate (monarchy) separated and Sultanate was abolished on 1 November 1922. Therefore, the administrative ties with the Ottoman Empire were broken. The declaration of Republic was made on 29 October 1923 and Mustafa Kemal was unanimously elected as the first President of the Republic. Ismet Inönü formed the first government of the Republic on 30 October 1923. Sovereignty unconditionally belongs to Nation and Peace at home, peace in the world are the raising fundamentals of the Turkish Republic.

Atatürk made many reforms in order to bring Turkey to the level of contemporary civilizations. Those reforms can be put under five main topics:

1. Political Reforms

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- Abolishment of the Sultanate (1 November 1922)
- Declaration of the Republic (29 October 1923)
- Abolishment of Caliphate (3 March 1924)

2. Social Reforms

- Women were given equal rights with men (1926-1934)
- The Revolution of Headgear and Outfit (25 November 1925)
- Closing of dervish lodges and shrines (30 November 1925)
- The surname law (21 June 1934)
- Abolishment of nicknames, pious and royal titles (26 November 1934)
- Adoption of the International calendar, time and measurements (1925-1931)

3. Juridical Reforms

- Abolishment of the Canon Law (1924-1937)
- Instating the new Turkish Civil Code and other legislation to suit secular order (1924 - 1937)

4. Educational and Cultural Reforms

- Integration of education (3 March 1924)
- Adoption of the new Turkish alphabet (1 November 1928)
- Establishment of the Turkish Language and Historical Societies (1931-1932)
- Organization of the university education (31 May 1933).
- Innovations in fine arts

5. Economical Reforms

- Abolishment of old taxation laws.
- Encouragement of the farmers.
- Establishment of model farms.
- Legislation of the Encouragement of the Industry Law and establishment of Industrial Corporations.
- Implementing First and Second Development Plans (1933-1937), construction of new highways to reach every corner of the country.

In accordance with the new surname law, Turkish Grand National Assembly granted Mustafa Kemal with the surname Atatürk on 24 November 1934.
Atatürk had been elected twice as the Speaker of the House (National Assembly), on 24 April 1920 and 13 Augustus 1923. His chairmanship at that time, was equal to the Head of State and the Government combined. On 29 October 1923 Republic was declared and Atatürk was elected as the first President of the Republic. According to the Constitution Presidential elections held for every four years. Atatürk had been re-elected as the President of the Republic in 1927, 1931 and 1935 by the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

Atatürk very frequently used to go for fact-finding trips in the country. He kept in contact with local authorities and directed them personally in every occasion. In the capacity of the President of the Republic, he received the visiting foreign presidents, premiers, ministers and commanders with great respect and authority.

Atatürk gave his Great Speech on 15-20 October 1927 in which he described the Independence War and Founding of Republic, he then made his 10th Year Speech on 29 October 1933.

Atatürk was very modest in his private life. He married with Latife Hanim on 29 January 1923. Together they had many trips around the country. Their marriage lasted until 5 August 1925. As a great lover of children, Atatürk adopted his daughters Afet (Inan), Sabiha (Gökcen), Fikriye, Ülkü, Nebile, Rukiye, Zehra and his son Mustafa, a young shepherd boy. He also had two children under his protection, Abdurrahim and Ihsan. He secured a good life and future for these children who survived.

In 1937, he donated his farms to the State Treasury and some of his real estate to Ankara and Bursa Municipality Councils. He divided his inheritance among his sister, his adopted children and the Turkish Language and Historical Societies. He enjoyed reading, listening music, dancing, horse riding and swimming. He was very much interested in the Western Anatolian folk dance Zeybek, wrestling and listening to Rumelia songs. He had great pleasure in playing black-gammon and billiards. He valued very much his horse Sakarya and his dog Fox. He had made up a very rich library of his own. He used to invite statesmen, scholars and scientists to dinners and discuss state affairs with them. He was very particular about his appearance and was smartly dressed all the times. He was also a nature lover. He very often used to visit his farm Atatürk Orman Ciftligi-Atatürk Forest Farm and took part at works in person. Atatürk was proficient in French and German.

On 10 November 1938 at 9.05 in the morning, in Istanbul, Dolmabahce Palace, he died of the liver ailment he was suffering from. He was buried with a ceremonial funeral in a temporary place of rest at the Ethnographical Museum in Ankara on 21 November 1938. After the building of Anitkabir (Atatürk Mausoleum) he was taken to his permanent place of rest with a grand ceremony on 10 November 1953.''

The source: https://www.kultur.gov.tr/EN,103908/biography-of-ataturk.html

The documentary about Mustafa Kemal Atatürk :

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[Islamic faith&Secularism]

CHRONOLOGY

1881

Birth of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk to Ali Riza and Zübeyde at Salonika.

1883

German military mission established in Ottoman Empire.

1893

Young Mustafa enters Military Secondary School at Salonika and is given the additional name of Kemal.

1895

Mustafa Kemal enters Military Training School at Monastir.

1896

Revolt by students of Military Medical School in Istanbul suppressed.

1897

17 April. Ottoman-Greek war commences, following a Greek threat to annex Crete. Peace settlement by intervention of the European Powers.

1898

State visit of Kaiser Wilhelm II to Ottoman Empire.

1899

13 March. Mustafa Kemal enters War College in Istanbul.

1902

Mustafa Kemal graduates as Lieutenant, General Staff College in Istanbul.

1905

11 January. Mustafa Kemal graduates from the General Staff College with the rank of Staff Captain and is posted to the Fifth Army, based in Damascus

1906

October. Mustafa Kemal helps to found Fatherland (Vatan) Society in Damascus.

1907

20 June. Mustafa Kemal promoted Adjutant-Major.

September. Mustafa Kemal posted to Third Army at Salonika.

1908

24 July. 'Young Turk' Revolution in Salonika. Committee of Union and Progress forces Abdulhamit to restore Constitution of 1876 and recall Parliament.

5 October. Bulgaria proclaims independence.

7 October. Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia and Herzegovina.

12 October. Crete votes for Union with Greece.

Mustafa Kemal sent to Tripolitania on mission for Committee of Union and Progress.

1909

13 April. Counter-revolution in Istanbul. Union and Progress striking force, with Mustafa Kemal as divisional chief of staff, marches on the city from Salonika.

27 April. Deposition and exile of Abdulhamit. Succession of Mehmet V as Sultan.

Mustafa Kemal attends Congress of Union and Progress Party in Salonika.

6 September. Mustafa Kemal appointed Commander of Third Army and later Commander of Thirty-eighth Infantry Regiment.

1910

Mustafa Kemal serves as Chief of Staff in suppression of revolt in Albania.

Mustafa Kemal sent to Paris with military mission to attend French army manoeuvres.

1911

13 September. Mustafa Kemal is posted to the General Staff in Istanbul.

5 October. Italian invasion of Tripoli.

Mustafa Kemal with Turkish Forces at Tobruk and Derna.

27 November. Mustafa Kemal promoted to Major.

1912

8 October - 3 December. Beginning of First Balkan War. Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece at war with Ottoman Empire. Severe Turkish defeats. Salonika falls to the Greeks. Mustafa Kemal leaves Cyrenaica and returns to Istanbul. Coup d'etat against Government by Union and Progress officers.

25 November. Mustafa Kemal appointed Director of Operations for relief of Adrianople.

Fall of Adrianople.

1913

30 May. Treaty of London between Ottomans and Balkan states.

30 June - 20 July. Second Balkan War. Bulgaria attacks Greece, Serbia and Rumania. Ottomans recovers Adrianople.

27 September. Treaty of Bucharest restores territory to Ottoman Empire.

27 October. Mustafa Kemal appointed Military Attaché in Sofia.

1914

1 March. Mustafa Kemal promoted Lieutenant-Colonel.

28 June. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand at Sarajevo.

16 July. Mustafa Kemal sends despatch to War Minister from Sofia, urging a policy of Turkish neutrality in the event of war, with a view to possible later intervention against Bulgaria and the Central Powers.

28 July. Austria declares war on Serbia, with support of Germany.

2 August. Ottoman leadership signs secret alliance with Germany.

11 August. Ottomans purchase German warships Goeben and Breslau on arrival in the Bosporus.

28 October. Ottomans shells Russian Black Sea ports.

3 November. Russia declares war on Ottoman Empire.

5 November. Britain and France declare war on Ottoman Empire.

1915

2 February. Mustafa Kemal appointed to reorganize and command Nineteenth Division in Thrace.

19 February. Unsuccessful Allied naval attack on Dardanelles.

25 February. Mustafa Kemal establishes Headquarters of Nineteenth Division at Maidos on Gallipoli Peninsula.

18 March. Allied navy fails to force the Turkish Straits. Mustafa Kemal demonstrates outstanding skills as a soldier and commander throughout the battle at Canakkale.

25 April. Allied military landings at Ariburnu (Anzac Cove). Advance checked by Mustafa Kemal with his outstanding leadership of the Nineteenth Division.

1 June. Mustafa Kemal promoted Colonel.

8 - 9 August. Mustafa Kemal appointed to command of Sixteenth Army Corps.

Checks second Allied advance on Gallipoli Peninsula.

1916

9 January. Allied evacuation of Gallipoli Peninsula complete.

14 January. Mustafa Kemal posted to Adrianople in command of Sixteenth Army Corps. Transfer to Caucasus front.

1 April. Mustafa Kemal promoted General and Pasha.

27 June. Sherif of Mecca proclaims independence of Arabia.

6 - 7 August. Mustafa Kemal recaptures Bitlis and Muş from Russians.

1917

5 March. Mustafa Kemal appointed second-in-command effective Commander of Second Army.

11 March. British forces capture Baghdad.

5 July. Mustafa Kemal appointed Commander of Seventh Army in Syria.

20 September. Mustafa Kemal sends report to Government on the poor state of the army and the country, and relinquishes his command.

October. Mustafa Kemal returns to Istanbul.

11 December. British forces capture Jerusalem.

15 December - 5 January 1918. Mustafa Kemal visits Germany with Crown Prince Vahdettin.

1918

3 July. Death of Sultan Mehmet V. Vahdettin succeeds him as Mehmet VI.

7 August. Mustafa Kemal reappointed Commander of Seventh Army in Palestine.

19 - 30 September. British forces, under General Allenby, drive Turkish forces out of Palestine and Syria. Mustafa Kemal defends frontier north of Aleppo.

30 October. Armistice signed between Ottomans and Britain at Mudros.

31 October. Mustafa Kemal takes over command of Army Group at Adana.

7 November. Dissolution of Army Group.

13 November. Mustafa Kemal returns to Istanbul.

Allied fleets enter Istanbul.

21 November. Dissolution of Parliament.

1919

18 January. Opening of Peace Conference at Versailles.

30 April. Mustafa Kemal appointed Inspector-General of Ninth (later Third) Army in Anatolia.

15 May. Greek forces land in Izmir, with Allied approval.

19 May. Mustafa Kemal lands in Samsun.

21 June. Mustafa Kemal issues 'Declaration of Independence' at Amasya.

Summons Nationalist Congress to be held in Sivas.

23 June. Mustafa Kemal ordered by the Ottoman Government to return to Istanbul.

8 July. Mustafa Kemal resigns from the army and is dismissed by the Ottoman Government.

23 July - 7 August. Nationalist Congress meets in Erzurum under presidency of Mustafa Kemal. Declarations of National Pact are issued.

4 - 13 September. Nationalist Congress meets at Sivas under presidency of Mustafa Kemal. Confirmation of National Pact. Establishment of Representative Committee.

5 October. Resignation of Government.

7 November. New Parliament elected in Istanbul with Nationalist representation.

27 December. Mustafa Kemal establishes headquarters in Ankara, with Representative Committee.

1920

28 January. National Pact adopted by Istanbul Parliament.

9 February. Evacuation of French garrison from Maraş and start of general withdrawal from Cilicia.

16 March. Military occupation of Istanbul by Allies.

11 April. Dissolution of Istanbul Parliament.

23 April. First Grand National Assembly meets in Ankara.

11 May. Mustafa Kemal condemned to death by Sultan's Government.

10 June. Treaty of Sevres presented by Allies to Sultan's Government.

22 June - 9 July. Greek army advances into Anatolia and captures Bursa.

10 August. Treaty of Sevres signed by Sultan's Government.

24 August. Draft treaty initialled in Moscow between Soviet Union and Nationalist Government.

28 September - 2 November. Nationalist forces invade regions with Armenian revolts and capture Kars.

2 December. Soviet Union establishes Armenian Republic at Erivan.

3 December. Treaty of Gümrü settles Turco-Armenian frontiers.

1921

6 - 10 January. Greek advance checked at First Battle of Inonu.

20 January. Grand National Assembly at Ankara adopts Constitution Act, based on popular sovereignty.

23 February - 12 March. London Conference fails to reach agreement with Nationalists on modifications to Treaty of Sevres.

16 March. Treaty of Moscow between Nationalist Government and Soviet Union.

23 March - 1 April. Greeks resume offensive in Anatolia and are checked at Second Battle of Inonu .

10 July. Greeks resume offensive and capture Eskişehir.

5 August. Mustafa Kemal given full powers as Commander-in-Chief by Grand National Assembly.

23 August - 13 September. Battle of Sakarya. Turks check Greek advance before Ankara.

26 August. Greeks thrown back at battle of Sakarya.

19 September. Mustafa Kemal given title of “Gazi”and rank of Marshal by Grand National Assembly.

13 October. Treaty of Kars between Nationalist Government and Transcaucasian Soviet Republics.

20 October. Treaty of Ankara between Nationalist Government and France.

1922

26 August - 9 September. Nationalist forces defeat Greeks in counter-offensive and capture Izmir, which is destroyed by fire. Turks launch final offensive against Greek forces in Anatolia; break through the following day; win decisive victory on 30 August.

23 September. Nationalist forces enter the Turkish Straits Neutral Zone.

3 - 11 October. Conference at Mudanya agrees on Armistice between Allies and Nationalist Government.

19 October. Resignation of Lloyd George and his Government.

1 November. Mustafa Kemal proclaims abolition of Sultanate.

17 November. Flight of Sultan Mehmet VI from Istanbul.

20 November. Opening of Peace Conference at Lausanne.

1923

14 January. Death of Mustafa Kemal's mother, in Izmir.

29 January. Mustafa Kemal marries Latife in Izmir.

4 February. Breakdown of Lausanne Conference.

17 February. Mustafa Kemal opens Economic Congress in Izmir.

23 April. Resumption of Lausanne Conference.

24 July. Treaty of Lausanne signed in Switzerland by Turkey and the Entente powers that fought in World War I. After the conclusion of the Turkish War of Independence, this treaty recognized the Republic of Turkey as a sovereign nation.

9 August. Foundation of People's Party (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi, CHP).

11 August. Second Grand National Assembly.

2 October. Turkish forces occupy Istanbul, following Allied evacuation.

9 October. Ankara becomes capital of Turkey.

29 October. Proclamation of the Turkish Republic, with Mustafa Kemal as President.

1924

3 March. The Caliphate is abolished, the Ottoman dynasty is exiled, religious schools are closed down, and organized Islam becomes regulated by the state.

8 April. Abolition of religious courts.

17 November. Foundation of Progressive Party.

1925

11 February - 12 April. Revolt in eastern region.

4 March. Law for Maintenance of Public Order gives Government exceptional powers.

3 June. Suppression of Progressive Party.

5 August. Mustafa Kemal divorces Latife.

30 August - 2 September. Mustafa Kemal tours Kastamonu province, announcing abolition of fez, suppression of religious brotherhoods, and closing of sacred tombs as places of worship.

1926

17 February. Adoption of new Civil Law code.

5 June. Agreement on Mosul. Treaty of Ankara between Turkey, Britain and Irak.

15 June - 13 July. Attempted assassination of Mustafa Kemal in Izmir is uncovered.

Trial and execution of ringleaders.

1 - 26 August. Trial and execution of 'Young Turk' leaders and others in Ankara.

1927

1 July. Mustafa Kemal revisits Istanbul.

15 - 20 October. Mustafa Kemal makes historic speech to Congress of People's Party (CHP).

1 November. Third Grand National Assembly. Mustafa Kemal re-elected President of the Republic.

1928

3 November. Introduction of Latin alphabet.

1929

1 January. National schools open to teach new alphabet.

4 March. Maintenance of Order Law repealed.

13 May. New commercial law adopted.

1930

12 August. Foundation of Free Party.

17 November. Dissolution of Free Party.

23 December. Religious riot at Menemen. Trials and executions.

1931

15 April. Foundation of Turkish Historical Society.

4 May. Fourth Grand National Assembly. Mustafa Kemal re-elected President of the Republic.

1932

12 July. Foundation of Turkish Linguistic Society.

12 August. Turkey becomes member of League of Nations.

1933
1 February. Disturbances in Bursa over decision to recite the call to prayer in Turkish.

31 May. Istanbul University is established.

29 October. Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

1934

9 January. First Five-Year Plan for industrial development.

9 February. Balkan Pact concluded between Turkey, Greece, Rumania and Yugoslavia.

24 November. Mustafa Kemal adopts the surname "ATATÜRK" which is given to him by the Turkish Parliament.

8 December. Women made eligible to vote in Parliamentary elections and to become members of Parliament.

1935

1 March. Fifth Grand National Assembly. Ataturk re-elected President of the Republic.

1936

29 May. Dispute regarding future status of Hatay (Alexandretta) referred to the League of Nations.

20 July. Montreux Convention signed, regulating the Turkish Straits (Bosphorus and Dardanelles).

4 September. Visit of King Edward VIII to Ataturk in Istanbul.

1937

27 January. Autonomy of Hatay agreed between Turkey, France and Syria.

9 July. Saadabad Pact signed, between Turkey, Irak, Iran and Afghanistan.

1938

11 March. Illness of Ataturk is officially announced.

3 July. Franco-Turkish agreement to send French and Turkish troops into Hatay, to supervise elections.

2 September. Grand National Assembly votes nominal Republic of Hatay, with Turks in effective control.

18 September. Second Five Year Plan for industrial development.

10 November. The death of Mustafa Kemal “Ataturk,” the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and founder of modern-day Turkey.

11 November. Succession of Ismet Inonu as President of Turkey.

 

[Islamic faith&Secularism]

The First Fight of Atatürk I Turk-Italian War 1911-1912

The Turk-Italian War of 1911-12 took place in the Ottoman province of Tripolitania, which corresponds roughly to modern-day Libya, spreading over time to the Adriatic Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Red Sea.

After the occupation of Egypt in 1881 and the French occupation of Tunisia and Algeria in 1882 ; In 1900 the French and Italian governments came to a secret agreement. France had designs on Morocco, Italy on Tripoli, and each would allow the other a free hand.

Starting from 1902, Italy began to practice a policy of “peaceful penetration” in Tripoli.

With the support of the British and French governments, Italy declared war on 29 September 1911 pledging civilization to Tripoli, without waiting the answer to her ultimatum from the Sublime Porte.Two hours before the declaration of war, the Italian fleet sank two Turkish torpedo boats off Preveza in the Adriatic Sea.The Ottoman Colonel Neşet Bey had only 8,000 ill-equipped men under his command.

the Turkish military in Tripoli (8,000 regular Turkish troops, 20,000 local irregular troops)
was weaker than the Italian invasion force, which consisted of 30,000 troops, 6,000 animals, 103 pieces of artillery, 800 trucks and 4 airplanes. Not only wast it Enver Bey who wanted to go to Tripoli, but also Mustafa Kemal Bey, Eşref Bey, Süleyman Askeri Bey, military attaché in Paris Ali Fethi Bey, Major Halil Bey, Major Nuri Bey, Captain Fuat Bey and Captain Ali Bey were of the several officers who were also trying to find a way to go there.Neşet Bey undertook the command of the forces in Tripoli, Major Mustafa Kemal Bey became the commander in Tobruk and Major Enver Bey in Benghazi.

Turkish resistance were also getting a great support from the Sanusi tribe and their leader Ahmed Şerif, who declared a “holy war” against the Italians.

Mustafa Kemal Bey(left) with an Ottoman military officer and Bedouin forces in Derna, Tripolitania Vilayet, 1912.


On November 5, 1911, the Italian government announced the annexation of Tripoli.
Mustafa Kemal’s units successfully fought the Italians in Tobruk and Derna -his units won the Battle of Tobruk on December 22, 1911.

On May 5, 1912, Italian forces invaded the island of Rhodes and in ten days all of the Dodecanese Islands in the Aegean Sea, in order to break strong resistance of Ottoman Empire in Tripoli.

Due to the outbreak of Balkan Wars and some other problems with urgent need of Ottoman officers and soldiers, Eventually the Tripoli War was terminated by the signature of the Ouchy Agreement on 18 October 1912 by the loss of last strip of land on the North Africa for the Ottoman Empire. Tripoli was left to Italy with an autonomous status, but Ottoman Empire was to be the protector of the right of the Muslims in the region. The Dodecanese Islands would have been given back to the Ottoman Empire at the end of the Balkan Wars. However, the Italians violated the treaty’s related article and did not return the islands.

Ottoman Empire: 14,000 casualties ,10,000 killed in reprisals & executions (massacre).
Italia: 1,432 killed in combat, 4,250 wounded,1.948 died of disease

The Treaty in full text:

http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/2212446.pdf

 

[Deliorman]

The greatest one- Mustafa Kemal... Nothing more to ad about him and his personality and achievements. A man that even our enemies respect and acknowledge as one of the greatest leaders and visionaires of all time. A real idealist. A charismatic leader... Ataturk.


Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's Address to the Turkish Youth

Turkish Youth, Your first duty is to preserve and to defend Turkish Independence and the Turkish Republic forever. This is the very foundation of your existence and your future. This foundation is your most precious treasure. In the future, too, there may be malevolent people at home and abroad, who will wish to deprive you of this treasure. If some day you are compelled to defend your independence and your Republic, you must not hesitate to weigh the possibilities and circumstances of the situation before doing your duty. These possibilities and circumstances may turn out to be extremely unfavorable. The enemies conspiring against your independence and your Republic may have behind them a victory unprecedented in the annals of the world.

It may be that, by violence and trickery, all the fortresses of your beloved fatherland may be captured, all its shipyards occupied, all its armies dispersed and every corner of the country invaded. And sadder and graver than all these circumstances, those who hold power within the country may be in error, misguided and may even be traitors. Furthermore, they may identify personal interests with the political designs of the invaders. The country may be impoverished, ruined and exhausted. Youth of Turkey's future, even in such circumstances it is your duty to save Turkish Independence and the Republic. You will find the strength you need in your noble blood.

Ankara, 20th October 1927

http://www.allaboutturkey.com/ata_speech.htm

 

[Islamic faith&Secularism]

The house Where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was born.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was born and lived till at the age of 14 in Selanik/Macedonia in 1881. The city was the second biggest one in Ottoman Empire, thanks to being the commercial, cultural and economic center in Balkans. Also, the city was of 150.000 inhabitans,The Jews was the largest population, and then %20 of Muslim Turks, the rest Rums, Bulgarians. In the city, There were 61 mosques, 5 medreses(religious seminaries), 23 tekkes(Sufi convents), 21 synagogues, 16 churches, 3 hospitals, a library, a theater, 2 secondary schools, a military prepatory school, a state high school, an agricultural school, a number of minority religious schools and foreign schools. While at the staff college In 1902-5, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk wrote in his personal notebook:

- '' I am pleased, with a fealing of a good fortune, to be from Selanik''.

When Mustafa Kemal Atatürk heard that Selanik fell to Greece, He asked a touching question:

-'' Will i see you again as a Turk?''.

The parents of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk were Ali Rıza and his wife Zübeyde who were married in 1870 or 71. Atatürk took after her mother with white skin, deep but clear light blue eyes; Zübeyde was a daughter of a family who came from west of Selanik where were settled by people who came from the heart of Anatolia after the Turkish conquest of Balkans. Her grandfather was Sofuzade Feyzullah Efendi. Zübeyde always was proud of having blood of the Yörüks(Nomadic Turk tribes who still live amont the Taurus mountains) in her veins. She was of native intelligence despite limited education. She had 6 children (Fatma (1871/2-1875), Ahmet(1874-1883), Ömer(1875-1883), Mustafa(1881-1938), Makbule(1888-1956)), but only Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his sister Makbule survived. She was a pious Muslim, therefore wanted his son to get education in a local Muslim school and become a religious figure in the public. That also explains why the given name was ''Mustafa'' (''The chosen'', an epithet of the Prophet Muhammed).
Born in 1939 as a son of Kızıl Hafız Ahmet Efendi who was Yörük and came from Karaman in Anatolia and settled in Debre-i Bala/Kocacık town in Manastır vilayet and, Ali Rıza got edcuation in Abdi Hafız school. He worked as a civil servant, and then as a border customs official. Also he had some ventures in selling timber and then salt, but failed, and caused his death.

In 1886-87, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk started his education in a religous school, but his father wanted him to get a modern education, therefore transferred him to a private school, which was founded by Şemsi Efendi the champion of ''new principles'' that put importance on critical thinking over routine learning in education. After the death of his father, Zübeyde along with her children moved to the farm of his uncle. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk got some additional schooling from an Imam and priest, and then was sent to his Aunt in Selanik for government school.After the marriage of his mother with Ragıp Bey in Selanik,Mustafa Kemal Atatürk decided to stay with a relative. In 1893, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk passed the exam for Selanik Military preparation school, and joined in despite the wish of his mother. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk explains the reason:

- We had a neighbor named Major Kadri Bey. His son, Ahmet, was studying at the secondary military school (in Selanik), and wore his military uniform. When I saw him, I decided also to wear such a uniform. Then I observed officers on the street, realizing that the road to reaching this rank required entering the military secondary school.

During his education in military preparation school, His mathematics teacher gave him the name ''Kemal'', which means ''mature and perfect''. Upon the advice of Hasan Bey an officer from Selanik, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk attended the Manastır (Bitola) Military High School between 1896 and 1899. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk wrote in his personal notebook about his education:

- When i attended the school, I became more curious. The math was easy, so I was interested in it. However, My French was poor, therefore my teacher had warned me.


Mustafa Kemal Atatürk believed ''A staff officer must definitely know a foreign language, thinking otherwise is a big mistake''. In his memories, he noted that ''for two or three months, I covertly attented privite class in Frerler school; in this way I learned French more than the class in the Military school''.

During his education, He was interested in poets of Turkish patriots and nationalists like Namık Kemal and Mehmet Emin Yurdakul.

A picture from Military Academy eductaion of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (At the second chair on the left.)

After graduation from Military high school, he started his education at the Military Academy in Istanbul .

According to one of his closest freinds Lütfi Mufit: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk would study carefully and get the result after analyzing sciences. Also he would help his classmates in studies and answer them in an easily understandable way.

In the interview with a journalist Naci Sadullah, Hayri Tırnovacık told Gazi (Atatürk) was the smartest student in the class. There was a maturity in his behaviours. He had got a strong skill to convince people. Also Hayri Tırnovacık added that he would not remember a moment that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was involved in a fight.

Another classmate Asım Gündüz said that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk would speak in courage among others gathered around him, He would influence them with his speech. He would often repeat poets of Turkish patriots and nationalists whom they had never read. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk collected all of poems written by Namık Kemal in a notebook. When he was out of class, He would always speak of problems of the country with his classmates, and debate over them.

Upon graduating with the rank of lieutenant in 1902, he attended the Army War College. On January 11, 1905, he graduated from the Army War College as Captain.


His transcript for the first class, also records at Military Academy.

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[Islamic faith&Secularism]

The Balkan Wars

On October 12, the governments of Serbia, Greece and Bulgaria gave an ultimatum to the Sublime Porte, which included demands they knew that could not be fulfilled. On October 16, the Ottoman Empire declared war on the Balkan states. On October 17, Bulgaria and Serbia declared war on the Ottoman Empire. Two days later, Greece followed suit.

the Ottoman army was entering the war with a force of around 300,000 facing the combined Balkan forces of around 610,000.

Otoman forces were divided into two fronts. Çatalca Army for the Eastern front(115,000 men instead its normal wartime strength of 478,850), and Vardar Army (188,000 men instead of 418,900) for the Western front.

In 25.11.1912,Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was appointed as the director of operations in Bolayır Army Corps at Gallipoli Peninsula, Under the command of Brigadier General Fahri Pasha.

The first attack plan Bolayır corps breaking out from the peninsula, and the reserve power amphibious landing at Şarköy to hit Bulgarian forces, and then marching to Edirne; at the same time Çatalca army to begin supporting attack. However, the plan faced with problems like weather conditions, logistics, soldier movements, and therefore combined attacks postponed till 8th February. When the time came, the execution of the plan faced some other problems and resulted in a failure.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Fethi prepared a new plan on 18/9th February for anohter offensive to relieve the defenders in Edirne. The plans was described ''resulted from scientifc discussion” and “the duty of placing scientifc reality to the fore.''. Some reasons caused resignation of those two commanders. However, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was later appointed as the commander of Bolayır corps, while Fethi was heading Istanbul. This could not stop felling Edirne to Bulgarians. In the second Balkan war, Ottoman army joined the war against Bulgaria fighting on three fronts, which forced Bulgaria into retreating from Edirne and East Thrace. With a brigade led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, The place was taken over again.

Ottoman Empire lost 83 percent of its European territories, which were of great economic significance, and 69 percent of its population living in European territories.Bulgaria enlarged its territories by 29 percent, Greece by 68 percent, Montenegro by 62 percent and Romania by 5 percent.The methods employed by Russia in the Turco-Russian War of 1878 to cleanse the Balkan Peninsula from its Muslim population, was this time used by Bulgarian, Serbian and Greek bands. While regular armies were fighting each other at the front, the Muslim population was killed or forced to leave their homes in towns and villages.2.3 million Muslims had lived in the invaded regions of Ottoman Europe before the Wars. By 1926, only 870,000 stayed in their homelands. 632,000, 27% of the Muslims of Ottoman Europe,had died, in any European war no such civilian mortality was withnessed. After the Ottoman defeat, the villages were attacked by guerilla bands, and they fled. However,attacked again on the road, some might reach the relative safety of a port such as Salonica or Kavalla to take ship to a port in Anatolia. Most Muslims could not flee, Because Armies blocked the way. Consul Lamb reported, “Of some 1500 Mussulmans who endeavoured to escape to Cavalla [from Drama] barely half are believed to have reached the latter place. For 8 or 10 days afterwards the road is stated to have been quite thickly strewn with unburied corpses.” As armies and guerilla troops blocked their passage.

British Consul Grieg at Manastır wrote, “The war has caused great distress in the Monastir district. It is
believed that about 80% of the villages inhabited exclusively by Moslems, and of the Moslem quarters of villages with a mixed population, have been sacked and partially or wholly destroyed, or both, throughout the kazas of Monastir, Kirchevo, Florina, Serfidjé, Hailar, Kozhani, Elassona, Grevena, Naselitch, and Kastoria. Considerable distress is reported amongst both Christians and Moslems in the Gorcha and Dibra districts. Subsequent enquiry will probably show that the irregular troops attached to the contending armies and parties of marauders from neighbouring Christian villages were mainly responsible for the work of destruction.”

Consuls reported that Bulgarians had destroyed ''practically all the Moslem villages'' in the areas they invaded in Thrace. Serobs also destroyed Muslim villages in Northern Macedonia and Albania.

In every region, villagers were robbed of the farm animals and seed upon which their lives depended. They had no food, and none was provided them by the conquerors, so they starved. European observers reported cases of murder, destruction, and starvation from all of Ottoman Europe.

The Serres region is an example: Muslim villagers had fled to the city of Serres in the thousands. When fighting ended, the new authorities told them they could safely return to their villages. On arriving, they found that their villages had been destroyed. They gathered in the towns such as Petrich, where 200 were killed by Bulgarians. 1,200 more were massacred at Orman Çiftlik, a further 150 at Gjurgjevo. The 364 who survived in Petrich were ordered to gather in the town barracks; 260 were killed there with bayonets. What happened to the surviving 100 is unknown. They presumably joined the exodus to the remaining Ottoman lands.​

The casualities and forced exile over1.5 million muslims after the wars:

Source: http://www.tc-america.org/issues-in...e-of-ottoman-muslims-an-annotated-map-755.htm

During the Balkan Wars, which began in October of 1912, Without any fight, even pulling trigger, Selanik where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was born and raised fell to the Greek army; But his family had fled safely. When Mustafa Kemal Atatürk heard the fall of Selanik without any fight, He angrily said to a group of officers: "my mother, my sister, all my relatives, had been delivered to the enemy." . He often criticized the fall of Selanik as in "How could you surrender that beautiful Salonika to the enemy?".

Also, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk wrote a battle report stating:
"It is indubitable and indisputable that these regimental and division commanders, with their current mind-set and limited knowledge, would be able to neither train the troops as they should be trained, that is, in accordance with the current military developments, nor give them orders; command or lead them when need arises."

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[Islamic faith&Secularism]

Military Attaché in Sofia


27 October 1913, he was appointed as military attache right after Fethi Okyar's appointment as ambassador and his insistent on Atatürk's appointment. Mustafa Kemal had sharpened professionally, intellectually, and culturally and also written many reports, assessing both the political and military situation in Bulgaria and the Balkan countries.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Janissary uniform for a party in Bulgaria

He did well in this country so much that , thanks to his direct contacts with officers, also important people from Bulgarian society and the European community, He even dressed in a Janissary uniform in a party that he was invited and attended .Meantime, Atatürk also engaged in conversion pressures of the Bulgarian government on Muslim Pomaks in Bulgaria.

After French language, he took some private lessons on Gallic competency, also worked to sharpen his German. On the request of Nuri Coner , He made some comments on the book of Nuri Conker, and then Mustafa Kemal decided to write on war, combat, and leadership. But , Censors on publication delayed the book till late 1918. Conversation with Officer and Commander was published in thirty-two pages with six pages of photographs during the Libyan campaign conducted by Atatürk. The book mentions some fights to keep a bigger Italian force cornered in the coast for a year, and the way his officers acted during the execution of their orders.

Mustafa Kemal writes that “the means for inspiring (troops( is the power of the mind and the spirit in the blood of its live members that transforms an army into a machine.” In Mustafa Kemal’s view, motivation of troops relied on commanders' behaviors towards the soldiers under their command. Officers must have hearts, trust, and keep the spiritual conditions of their troops well.

“Human beings can only be commanded and directed when their aspirations and ideas take concrete form.”

He explains the key to competent commanders and officers: “The unit is the principal school from which true spiritual power can be imparted.” . A lieutenant becomes a captain who takes actions as the “father of the company”. The relationship between commanders and “the sons of the nation,” must be described not as “a herd,” but as “human beings,” which is based on “fame and honor”.

Six out of twenty-six pages is about “initiative” in the nature of war. A war consists of unexpected and unique events. Principles, laws, and procedures are the basis for soldiering. However, Without practicing, It is hard to understand them well. Also, Uniquenesses in war conditions do not make this as a basis for a success of an army. Moreover, Before senior commanders, It is lieutenants who do firstly face the unexpected, and make tough decisions in a war. Mustafa Kemal describes the key in making decisions in the middle of combat:

“Officers should be slow and cautious in action, taking time to reflect in carrying out their authority. This is because units will encounter unforeseen conditions and difficulties in battle.”

In the original text, Mustafa Kemal mentioned about “Turkic” heroes Hülega, Timur and Genghiz, and then call mothers to tell their children the pride of Turks in the pre-Islamic Turkic era.

“Hey nation, hey Turkish woman, you who are wrapped in a 600-year-old veil but once had an open forehead for 5,000 years. Do you sing of those 5,000-year-old traditions to your sons whom you give to command as officers? Did you develop moral character in them with those songs?”

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[Islamic faith&Secularism]

WWI


Gallipoli Front

On 20 January 1915, Atatürk was assigned as the commander of 19th Infantry Division that was recently founded, and On 5 February, joined his 57th Regiment with a unit of Turks, also 72nd and 77th units of Arab soldiers at Tekirdağ.

Gallipoli is a peninsula of some 400 square miles, also the key entrance into the Dardanelles and Istanbul. Between 19 and 25 February, then on 18 March, a joint British and French naval force could not break through the Ottoman defences, and after another two failed attempts by sea, thus the Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces (MEF) was founded under the command of General Sir Ian Hamilton for amphibious attacks in order to secure route for the naval fleet. the Ottoman General Staff responded with an army o some 84,000 men, under the command of German General Liman von Sanders with a defensive concept made up by Sanders. But, Mustafa Kemal raised objection to the defensive concept and insisted on keeping defenses strong at the beaches.

Mustafa Kemal came forward in two major battles during the Gallipoli campaign. After Halil Sami’s call for assistance, Mustafa Kemal ,due to the failure in the attempt to reach Sanders and Esad for nearly two hours, took action with the 57th Regiment and the cavalry company, an artillery battery, a medical unit. Despite the Enemy forces taking over high spots for cutting the peninsula in half, and after his decision to move and capture Conk Bayırı and then assessment of the war zone, Mustafa Kemal occupied Conk Bayırı, also took control of some small hills until the arrival of the enemy troops of some 8,000. In the end of the first day of the war , Atatürk took part in confining the ANZACs to a small bridgehead.

Sanders, in his book written a few year later, described Mustafa Kemal: (he was) by nature a commander who did not fear aking on responsibility. On 25 April he had taken upon himself to attack the enemy with his 19th division; then for the next three months on the Arıburnu front, he pushed back successfully with obstinacy and stubbornness all the enemy’s violent attacks. I was able to have complete confidence in his energy.”

In the first few days of the battle, an order of Atatürk found on the body of a Turkish soldier sheds some lights on his mindset: ''we must drive those now in front of us into the sea . . . There is no need to scheme much to make the enemy run. I do not expect that any of us would not rather die than repeat the shameful story of the Balkan War. But if there are any such men among us, we should at once lay hand on them and set them up to the line to be shot.''

Another battle starts for Atatürk with his appointment right after the enemy plan to primarily get out from bridgehead and take over Conkbayır, then capture Gun Ridge, and fail of Ottoman commander to resist the enemy properly. Conkbayır was captured by Anzacs on 8 August. Sanders made some changes in response to and founded the Anafartalar Group with XVI Corps, 9th Division, and the Willmer Group under Mustafa Kemal’s command. The next morning, Mustafa Kemal re-took some ground, then captured Conk Bayırı by afternoon. Some other British units withdrew as well.

In the battle, Mustafa Kemal was almost injured, but thanks to his watch stopping a bullet. The official British history summed up the fall of Conk Bayırı : “This Turkish counter-stroke was admirably planned.”

Battles at Gallipoli are similar to the trench warfare of the Western Front in France. Mustafa Kemal’s successes could not prevent Major İzzeddin Çalışlar, his chief of staff, from failing in some attacks. On 11 October, Mustafa Kemal shared it with his friend Salih Bozok in a letter that he once thought of withdrawal but later decided to go on with Allah's help and protection. In May, after an unsuccessful night attack, he noted for his command:

“All soldiers who enter battle with me must definitely understand that in order to carry out our duty of honor exactly there is no retreating one step. I remind all of you that seeking the easy road will cause . . . our entire nation to remain deprived.”

the Silver Medal of Battle Service 1915 ... the source:http://www.ata.tsk.tr/content/img/03/madalyalar/1.jpg

Atatürk was awarded with the Silver Medal of Battle Service. Also, On 28 December 1915, Kaiser Wilhelm II bestowed on him the prestigious Iron Cross.

From the start of the battle, Mustafa Kemal raised objection to leaving the fate of the empire to Germans. On 3 May, he even made it very clear in his letter to Enver, mentioning Sanders had poor knowledge of the Ottoman army and country, also no healthy assessment of the situation for the defense of the Ottoman fatherland. After the request of Atatürk, Enver came to Gallipoli for evaluation of the situation, but left the command to Germans in the end. In September 1915, Mustafa Kemal requested for reassignment. Therefore, Sanders sent a letter to Enver and mentioned about Atatürk’s request for reassignment and assessed his performance: “an exceptionally talented and competent officer.” Another assessment came from German Colonel Hans Kannengiesser: “a clear thinking, active, quiet man who knew what he wanted . . . He spoke accordingly but little, and was always reserved and retiring without being unfriendly. He did not appear to be very strong bodily . . . His stubborn energy gave him apparently complete control, both of his troops and of himself.”

On 5 December, Mustafa Kemal was re-assigned in the end.

On 4 November, the British War Council had decided to leave Gallipoli, and MEF Command successfully evacuated Suvla and the ANZAC beachheads on 19–20 December and Hellas Point on 8–9 January 1916. Both evacuations were done with minimal casualties. After such easy evacuations, Mustafa Kemal described his departure from Gallipoli as “My being here is a stroke of luck for me.” , otherwise he had to explain the reason the ottoman army let the enemy withdraw easily.

The war ended with casualities between 200,000 and a quarter million for each side.


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[Islamic faith&Secularism]

WWI

The Caucasian/Eastern front


After the Battle of Gallipoli, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was assigned to the command of the XVI Corps of the Second Army that was latter transferred to Caucasus Campaign, but served in Edirne until the 14 January 1916, meanwhile prepared the XVI Corps and wrote and published a training guide with seven pages written in short and direct sentences to facilitate comprehension:


*Corps Order: Counsel for Solving Tactical Problems and for WritingOrders. (Download In Turkish: http://www.ata.tsk.tr/content/media/01/TaktikMeselesinin.pdf)


- “To solve a tactical problem, one must, before anything else, study the problem several times, from beginning to end, with tranquility of the mind (sükunet-i fikir).”


- '' The best way is to gather the thoughts on short questions below:

1. What are The precautions the mission and situation demands?

2. How can the enemy prevent us from taking those precautions?

3. What can we do to have the enemy act in our plan and stop the enemy reach its aim?

4. The decision for the first precautions!''


The guide warned against overconfidence, also the enemy to be taken seriously. The key in defeating an adversary was some imagination to foresee the enemy’s plans, in other words, to get in the enemy’s side and see via his point of view. The Corps Order underlines the importance of focusing on the tactic and strong decision; also brief, clear, definitive, balanced were the words to describe a good order.

Diyarbakır-1917 From left to right: Cevat Abbas (Gürer, an adjutant officer of Mustafa Kemal), Mustafa Kemal, German artillery advisor von Berk, Abdurrahim (Tuncak, adopted son)


Unlike Gallipoli, the Caucasian Front was different due to Muslim refugees, Christians along with Armenians on relocation, also the geography of terrain and mountains. XVI Corps was assigned to the Bitlis-Muş fronts of one hundred kilometers over mountainous terrain, the 5th Division under Refet (Bele) covered areas south of Bitlis, and 8th Division under Nuri (Conker) covered Muş. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk firstly coordinated and organized military operations and civilian order against Armenian treachery and terrorism backed by Russia against the state and civilians in the middle of the world war.

On 2 July 1915 ,the Russians attacked, capturing the towns of Bayburt and Erzincan from the Ottoman Second Army that was in preparation, and reached Muş and Bitlis; also caused heavy losses,and withdrawal of 8th division, which was later reinforced by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk with a battalion from the 5th Division and launched offensive operations. In the end, XVI Corps captured Muş on 7 August and Bitlis on 8 August. A Russian Commander Emil Lengyel wrote: "He demonstrated anew that the Turk was a fine soldier if he was given the right leadership. Again the Turks took note of the uncommon competence of a general whose name was 'Perfection'".

The Russians launched a counter attack on 19 August and caused 7th Division on the flank of XVI Corps heavy losses. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk ordered Nuri to send forces to help its commander, also sent another help to the 14th Division in its battle defending Çapakçur Pass that had the strategic importance.On Ahmed İzzet's leaving for Istanbul, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk became the deputy commander of Second Army, later the commander of Second Army, also honored with Golden Meritorious Medal in December 1916 after his great leadership. However, Ahmet İzzet returned and took the command of the combined second and third armies.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk saw the effects of war conditions on troops. Battle conditions were tough, especially in Winter, for ammunition, food, weapons, and supplies. These conditions caused thousands' death from typhus, dysentery, or starvation. However, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk made some changes in the corps, the medical and supply services, kept the spirit of troopshigh. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk occasionally spared time to read, write, or for talks. On the request of the Ottoman army, in January 1917 he wrote a detailed report on the Battle of Arıburnu. The report mentioned about his command, the spirits of his commanders and soldiers, underlining the patriotic and religious motivation opening the doors for the victory to the sultanate and caliphate.

Moral Education and the Principles of Military Manners was the name of the book that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk decided to write after some observations for a commander such as ''friendly conversations'' or '' knowing judgement and communication process of troops'' in traviling to Bitlis, and later reading some French book on the subject.


Mustafa Kemal Atatürk took some notes ,in eastern Anatolia in 1916 and 1917, in reading books from philosophical works, to poetry, history, literature. Some of them were ''Is it Possible to Deny God? by Şehbenderzade Filibeli Hilmi, ''Éléments de philosophie'' by George L. Fonsegrive, ''Turkish Poetry'' by Mehmed Emin (Yurdakul), ''The Broken Lute'' by Tevfik Fikret, ''the French romance novel Sapho: moeurs parisiennes'' by Alphonse Daude, and Namık Kemal’s Ottoman History and his Political and Literary Articles. Some of Turkish descriptions written by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in reading were naturalists (tabiiyun), rationalists (zihniyyun), materialists (maddiyun), legalists (hükema), intellectuals (mütefekkirin), and mystics(mutasavvıfın). Mustafa Kemal Atatürk also wrote some notes about medieval Muslim sages such as Imam al-Ghazali, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), and Ibn Rushd (Averroes). Mustafa Kemal Atatürk made some critics both about Religious and philosophical figures for the occasional use of symbols against regular people whom they saw ignorant to deeper knowledge. This was the biggest obstacle in front of comprehension and understanding.


Mustafa Kemal Atatürk went into deep talks sometimes with commanders and his chief of staff or former Ottoman diplomat about military and nonmilitary subjects such as European rules, diplomatic culture, foreign languages.On 23 May 1916 İsmet İnönü and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk discussed over military, political, and social topics. On 22 November 1916, Mustafa Kemal and his chief of staff İzzeddin talked over eight hours. Abolishing veiling and reforming social life were questioned,later focused on women’s issues: 1) Education for mothers to raise children for life; 2) accepting women's freedom; and 3) let them to impact on “morals, ideas, and feelings” (ahlakıyatı,efkarı, hissiyatı). This talk led İzzeddin into reading ''From Superstition to Truth'' by M. Şemseddin.

On the fall of Baghdad on 11 March, Enver formed Lightning Group of Turkish-German army group. On 19 March 1917, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was assigned to take part in the Yıldırım plan. While preparing the second army, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk spared time to hold conversations with senior local officials, important figures in Diyarbakır. Those conversations let Mustafa Kemal Atatürk deepen his knowledge during social networking in the province.

On 5 July, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was assigned to the command of Seventh Army as part of Yıldırım Army Group under Erich von Falkenhayn. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was not pleased with a German boss. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk wrote a report about the strategic situation of the Empire along with some suggestions. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk also made some criticism of the current government’s practices. In the report, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk suggested withdrawing all its soldiers fighting in foreign countries, form a defensive strategy, concentrate on the Sinai front.


*Download In Turkish: http://www.ata.tsk.tr/content/media/01/TaktikMeselesinin.pdf


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[Islamic faith&Secularism]

The Turk War of Independance I The Beginning


At the war’s end, the new Istanbul government disbanded Yıldırım Group and recalled Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to the capital.After his arrival to Istanbul in 13 November 1918, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk , For the next six months, worked covertly and discreetly with a clandestine circle of patriots decided to resist partition, all took place under the noses of the Allied occupiers. He was not alone in his efforts at all.

The newspaper Minber (Pulpit), On 16 November, just three days after his arrival in Istanbul, Minber published an interview with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The caption under his picture says “Kemal Paşa, one of our army’s greatest commanders.” Minber glorifed Mustafa Kemal Atatürk as “the hero of the great battles of Arıburnu and Anafartalar, the savior of Istanbul from occupation.” , mentioned his exile to Damascus due to “independent thinking.”. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk also mentioned his priorities: the freedom and independence based on “respect and humanity.”

In part of the interview, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk mentioned “my deep thoughts.” and talked over the relationship between politics, power, and ideas.

- Policy: “spiritual matters, knowledge, morals, and science”,

- A nation: “virtues”,

- A society: “a society with high morals”

- Individuals: “a human being able to take his rightful place in today’s human society,”

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk also described a strong army, commander and officer, and said the requirements of civilization, science must be understood and then acted accordingly.

Two days afer the interview, Another article on him in Minber says:

“it is right to expect in the future of the fatherland great service from Kemal Paşa.”

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk also published Conversation with Officer and Commander in late 1918.

In his home in Şişli/Istanbul during the six months, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk held some meetings with Ali Fethi (Okyar), Ali Fuad (Cebesoy), Rauf (Orbay), Refet (Bele), Kazım Karabekir, and Ismet (nönü) for political activity. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and participants
set some priorities: end to demobilization; stop giving up weapons and ammunition to the Allies; to appoint young and competent officers in Anatolia; to keep loyal bureaucrats in their positions; and to keep the people’s morale high.

The occupations of the allies' and their local ethnic and religiouscollaborators in Turkey started. The patriot officers in the Ottoman war ministry started to assign some patriotic officers into critical command positions.

Controversially, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was tagged by the Ottoman war ministry for the Ninth Army Inspector, headquartered in Erzurum, and appointed on 30 April with wide powers, expansive military and civil authority.

''

''1
Allegedly The Assigment order signed by The Sultan Vahideddin on the left at the top, and below Sadrazam Ferid, and Şakir Paşa The War Minister.

The Ninth Army was responsible for vulnerable and sensitive parts of the Black Sea region and eastern Anatolia. To be more spesicif, His area of direct responsibility was Trabzon, Erzurum, Sivas and Van provinces and independent sub-provinces of Erzincan and Canik.
Meantime, Local Ottoman christians appeared to be striving to create a Pontus state along the coast. In the east, the Armenian and Georgian states had designs on territory in eastern Anatolia.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk set off in a boat for Samsun with loyal and competent staff, who were fifteen officers and two clerks.

Before leaving Samsun was heard the Greek occupation of Izmir sparked the national armed resistance and began in the Western Turkey with the Foundation of Kuvayı Milliye (National Forces).

Sources:
1 https://im.haberturk.com/2018/05/19/1974111_d90249b6b50804ac80363c64b8e2536d_640x640.jpg

 

[Islamic faith&Secularism]

The Turk War of Independence I The Forming Resistance

The Treaty of Sevres 1920


The Occupation of Greece in Izmir met an armed resistance of Turks on 15 May. Also, Public protests in Istanbul and Anatolia started,especially against the Greek occupation.For example, Some 75,000 people got together at Fatih Park. Istanbul newspapers wholeheartdly published these protests. One of those important speakers was Halide Edip Adıvar who was a female writer and activist, delivered speeches of feminism and patriotism,and later joined the Nationalist resistance in Anatolia.


Mustafa Kemal Atatürk had a complicated siutation:

the Occupiers in Istanbul and the Dardanelles, the Greek army in the Izmir region and also supporting Greeks of Pontus, Armenian state and army near the eastern Anatolia claiming Van, Bitlis, Erzurum,and Trabzon, and some land in southeastern Anatolia, the British and French in southeastern Anatolia, the Italians in the southern region of Asia Minor, the internal front, and Georgia claiming Trabzon.


Mustafa Kemal Atatürk had the talented, experienced and reliable human resources unlike Iraq, Syria, and Palestine under occupation. Therefore, on the arrival to Samsun, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk contacted to them, one of whom was Karabekir the commander of XV Corps in Erzurum. Also, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk met and talked to some Turks near a mosque about the resistance and independence.


On 29 May A letter about the strategy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was sent to III Corps (Sivas), XV Corps (Erzurum) and XIII (Diyarbekır) Corps against the Greeks in Izmir and Manisa, the Italians in Antalya and Konya, the Rum people on the Black Sea, and the Armenians in the east. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk wanted to get civil bureaucrats and soldiers together for the resistance.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk thought gendarmerie and soldiers would be enough to deal with The Rum people who were trying to found “republic” in the Black Sea area. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk formulated the resistance plans: guerrillas and regular forces against Georgia or Armenia; XX Corps for the western and southern fronts, XIII Corps for the Adana region and XV Corps for the east.

Meantime, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk also received messages of support from the Local people started show solidarity as a mayor sent a message on the name of 60,000 people.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's moves were spotted by Britain occupying Istanbul and the Straits. On 6 June, Britain wanted the Ottoman war minister to recall Mustafa Kemal Atatürk,and the next day, The War Minister Şevket Turgut personally demanded Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in the capital.


To obey the order would stop his moves was thougth by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk; Therefore, On 9 June 1919, another letter was sent to the important figures of the resistance in Anatolia. Some of the words in the letter were:

“the public demonstrations born of a national conscience” ,“the rights and independence of the nation”, “These days of life and death,”

...also said :

“I promise to work with all my being for our national independence.”

Similar words could be seen in Conversation with Officer and Commander.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk went to Amasya, the headquarters of the 5th Caucasus Division under the command of Refet Bele, in order to formulate and develope his goals and strategies along with his colleagues.

It was seen A planned congress in Sivas could pave the way and to set a national group for comanding the resistance and gaining legitamcy. Britian yet agains spotted the moves of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and demanded for more demobilization.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk contacted Karabekir and Cevad Paşa to reject such a move.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk met Ali Fuad, Rauf, and Refet in Amasya for the meeting. However, The information was sent to Karabekir who stayed at Erzurum. On 22 June, the Amasya Circular was signed by them after a few days of talks and declared to Turkey and the world via telegram.

The Amasya Circular

1.The unity and the independence of the nation is at great risk.
2.The government of the Istanbul can't deal with the responsibility they take, the situation made our nation look like gone.
3.Independence of the nation can be saved only by determination and faith of it.
4.To reach the nations purposes and to defend the people's rights, we must have a national committee free of restraint and inspection.
5.We will be having congress in the Sivas which is the safest place in any case.
6.For this purpose by the community of Müdafaa-i Hukuk and Redd-i İlhak three people from every province will be selected as representative.
7. In any case the representatives must not use their real identities on the road and this circular must be kept as a national secret.
8.For the east side cities at July 10th there will be a congress at Erzurum .Until that date if the other representatives can reach Sivas the ones in east cities will move to Sivas.

...