Turkey

Q1. Describe Kemal Ataturk’s role in gaining Turkey’s independence after the
Treaty of Sevres.

As WW1 ended and Turkey was made to sign the Treaty of Sevres, many British,
Italian, French and Greek forces came into Turkey. Greek forces had landed in Izmir
with the consent of France, Britain and Italy. The province of Adana was occupied by
the French and Urfa and Maras by the British.

The presence of these foreign forces in the two major cities of Constantinople and
Smyrna was disliked by the Turks. 19-May 1919 marks the start of the independence
movement in Turkey. Mustafa Kemal was elected President of Turkish Grand
National Assembly at Ankara. The national movement led by Mustafa Kemal Pasha
brought a major change in the fortunes of the Turkish people. He successfully led the
Turkish army to victory against the Greek forces.

Kemal Ataturk was given the title of “Ghazi” and “Marshal” by Sept 1922 as his
military skills and had managed to drive the Allied forces out of Turkey.

Q2. How did the Treaty of Lausanne make the Turkish people regain their pride in
nationhood? Discuss the importance of the Treaty of Lausanne.

After defeating the European forces, Mustafa Kemal made them to sign the Treaty of
Lausanne in 1923. The treaty gave back the Turks what they have had lost under the
treaty of Sevres i.e.

1. Turkey regained all the land that it had lost to Greece and it no longer had to pay
for damages as demanded earlier by treaty of Sevres.

2. All countries recognized the independence of Turkey.

3. Turkey was declared a republic by Mustafa Kemal Pasha with its capital in
Ankara.

However, according to the terms of treaty, the Arab lands under the Ottoman Empire
were given to Britain and France as “Mandates”.

Q. What is “Mandates”?

A Mandate meant that a member state of the League of Nation could be

commissioned to administer another territory on behalf of League of Nations.

France controlled Lebanon and Syria and Britain had Transjordan, Palestine and Iraq.
It was during this time that Jews were allowed to settle in Palestine under the Balfour
Declaration, Creating a lasting problem in the Middle East.
Q3. Why did Kemal Ataturk reform Turkey from a traditionalist Khilafat state to a
nation state on the lines of a modern European state?

Mustafa Kemal became the first President of Republic of Turkey and the Ottoman
Sultanate was abolished. Mustafa Kemal pasha wished to reform Turkey into a
modern westernized secular national-state. He did this by taking and adapting the
political, legal and cultural codes of the European nations as the basis of his
government.

He wanted to modernize Turkey to bring it at par with developed nations. He wanted

to make his country independent of foreign powers and free from dependence on their
economies.

Q4. Why is Mustafa Kemal Pasha called the “Father of the Turks”?

In 1934, the Turkish parliament gave the surname “Ataturk” to Mustafa Kemal.
Ataturk means the “Father of the Turks”. He was responsible for the famous defeat of
the Allied army at Gallipoli. He was given the title of Ataturk for his vital role to
bring Turks at par with the developed nations. He did this by following reforms:

1. The Turkish language was given a new script in roman, creating a separate identity
for the Turkish people.

2. The traditional Sufi order and madrassas were replaced with a westernized and
modern curriculum.

3. Schooling was made compulsory.

4. Women who held a lower position before, were given the right to vote.

5. Turkey was industrialized by setting up factories and railway system.

Even today he is regarded in Turkey for making the country independent of foreign
powers and also free from dependence on their economies.

Q5. What, in your view, was the most important reform made by Ataturk? Explain
why?

In my view, the most important reform made by Ataturk was that schooling was
made compulsory. He realized the vital role of education in the uplift and progress of
his country and its people.

He himself went around the countryside teaching the people and encouraging
learning. Even today he is greatly regarded for his efforts in promoting education.
Q. What changes did Kemal Ataturk made to make his country a nation state?

He studied the laws and systems of the west and adapted them for Turkey. He
separated religion from the government and brought in European laws, mainly Swiss
to run his country. Therefore, he implemented following changes:

1. The Turkish language was given a new script in roman, creating a separate identity
for the Turkish people.

2. The traditional Sufi order was discouraged and madrassas were closed down and
replaced with a westernized and modern curriculum.

3. The Gregorian calendar replaced the Islamic calendar and the “Fez” headgear was
replaced by the western hat for men. Similarly compulsory head covering for the
women was abolished.

4. Schooling was made compulsory.

5. Women who held a lower position before, were given the right to vote.

3. Turkey was industrialized by setting up factories and railway system.

Q. Write a note on the early age of Kemal Ataturk.

Mustafa Kemal was an Ottoman Turk who at the age of 12 joined the Salonika
Military Academy and graduated from the Ottoman Military College at
Constantinople in 1905.

He distinguished himself as a military officer and was responsible for the famous
defeat of the Allied Army at Gallipoli.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk died on 10-Nov 1938 and is buried in a mausoleum

overlooking Ankara.