Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the Republic of Turkey: The History of the Ottoman Empire’s Collapse and the Establishment of a New State

by Charles River Editors

*Includes pictures *Includes a bibliography for further reading *Includes a table of contents “In human life, you will find players of religion until the knowledge and proficiency in religion will be cleansed from all superstitions, and will be purified and perfected by the enlightenment of real science.” – Mustafa Kemal Atatürk The long agony of the “sick man of Europe,” an expression used by the Tsar of Russia to depict the falling Ottoman Empire, could almost blind people to its incredible power and history. Preserving its mixed heritage, coming from both its geographic position rising above the ashes of the Byzantine Empire and the tradition inherited from the Muslim Conquests, the Ottoman Empire lasted more than six centuries. Its soldiers fought, died, and conquered lands on three different continents, making it one of the few stable multi-ethnic empires in history, and likely one of the last. Thus, it’s somewhat inevitable that the history of its decline is at the heart of complex geopolitical disputes, as well as sectarian tensions that are still key to understanding the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans. Despite it all, the Ottoman Empire would survive for over 200 more years, and in the last century of its life it strove to reform its military, administration and economy until it was finally dissolved. Years before the final collapse of the Empire, the Tanzimat (“Reorganization”), a period of swiping reforms, led to significant changes in the country’s military apparatus, among others, which certainly explains the initial success the Ottoman Empire was able to achieve against its rivals. Similarly, the drafting of a new Constitution (Kanûn-u Esâsî, basic law) in 1876, despite it being shot down by Sultan Abdul Hamid II just two years later, as well as its revival by the “Young Turks” movement in 1908, highlights the understanding among Ottoman elites that change was needed, and their belief that such change was possible. The fall of the Ottoman Empire set the political and geostrategic scene of the new Middle East. In 1920, two years after the end of the war, the region was already experiencing growing instability. The issues and trends that would plague the region until today were growing. On April 4, Arab riots broke out in Jerusalem, fueled by the growing hostility against the Zionist movement. The British passivity would convince one of the Jewish leaders, Vladimir Jabotinsky (the future founder of the Israeli right-wing), of the strategic necessity of a strong Jewish military as the core of the future state. Just two weeks later in Turkey, the Grand National Assembly in Ankara set the foundation of the Turkish state, opening the way for several years of reforms. In Iraq, a Shiite revolt broke out in the south, as locals demanded the creation of an Islamic state. The British compromise was to place Faisal, the son of Sharif Hussein and a Sunni, on the throne. His father, meanwhile, was embroiled in a conflict with a local tribe, the Ibn Saud, that sought to carve a new kingdom in the Arabian Peninsula. More broadly, the long decline of the “sick man of Europe” fostered the emergence of nationalistic and ideological movements that are still key to any understanding of the Middle East today. The compatibility between the Islamic religion and culture and Western reforms were first discussed within the Ottoman Empire, and they are still up for debate today. Abdul Hamid’s pan-Islamism, while its results at the time remain limited, still resonates within the Muslim world and can still be seen as a viable rival to the region’s various nationalistic aspirations.

Genres: History, Biography

95 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 27, 2019

About the author

Charles River Editors is an independent publisher of thousands of ebooks on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and Apple iBookstore & provider of original content for third parties.

Reviews

[Anil Swarup · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of man who founded Turkey as nation. It didn't come easy as Kemal rose through the ranks in the Ottoman army and then went on to lead the Turkish War of Independence at the conclusion of the First World War. The book relates to a few heroic battles fought and won under Kemal when everything else was getting lost by the centuries old Ottoman Empire. It also provides some glimpse into how Ataturk went on to build a modernized Turkey

[Jerry Jares · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ottoman Empire was encumbered by foreign financial influence, German military 'assistance,' and being pulled into a world war that would strain their resources (leading to starvation and severe suffering for the locals).  When the war did not go their way, the Turks blamed the Armenians and started a war on their own people (as well as the enemy). 

 As Ataturk rose through the military, he paid close attention to what was going on around him.  He was aware that the Ottoman Empire was "drenched with the Oriental predilection for secrecy, corruption, and intrigue."  He wanted to establish a Turkish Revolution on the line of the French Revolution.  He decided on a clear separation of church and state, which was a revolutionary idea for the time and country.  

The fighting between the Ottoman Empire and the Allies ceased on the last day of October 1918 but it did not bring stability or peace to Turkey.  Ataturk, using his military experience and diplomatic work, wrested control of the country during the Turkish Revolution.  By the Treaty of Lausanne (July 24, 1923), Ataturk had control of things and refused to accept partitioning or being ruled by another country.  He got the other countries to accept the Republic of Turkey as an independent country, and its capital at Ankara.

I was surprised that this book emphasized the wars and minimalized Ataturk's immense power of conviction and persuasion that he used to revolutionize his country.  It did not mention that he had an alphabet created so that it looked like Western letters and words, made polygamy illegal (in contrast to Islam which allows 4 wives), he westernized the clothing, including banning the fez, improved education, and so many more things.

Four years ago, my husband and I went to Turkey and were impressed that the people of the country continue to revere this man.  Everywhere one looks about in this country, Ataturk's influence is apparent.  He may be one of the most underrated leaders of the 20th century.

[Andres Mann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a disappointment. I understand the reason for including much material about the vicissitudes of the Ottoman Empire during the world wars and its eventual dissolution and creation of the Turkish Republic. However, Charles River Editors reused whole pages from one of their other books "The Young Turks." The material on Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was superficial, and stops upon the creation of the Republic. By stopping here, the very important reforms initiated by Ataturk are completely ignored. This is a serious omission, failing to discuss the true impact of a radically different approach to create the modern Turkey.

[David Randall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of unanswered questions, but helped fuel my interest in this incredibly enigmatic and transformational character. Atatürk built a national Turkish identity that never really existed before and brought a secular society out of the ashes of a state founded and run by religion. Hopefully not the last book I read about this guy.

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting but very brief history on the Turkish revolution.

[Jennifer Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook. Enjoyed learning more about the Ottoman Empire having recently traveled to Turkey.

[Usman Bayero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and interesting.

[Evelyn Amaral Garcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting on a crucial Man who changed the whole history of his Turkey!

[Nadine Al lahham · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is ok as a brief summary but I would have preferred to read what happened after the establishment of the state, not only the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the war of independence.

[Kristie Rolston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, easy read with a lot of historical information.