aunting task of reforming the entire country, Mustafa Kemal set up the Republican People’s Party on August 9, 1923, a party which he would serve as the president until his death in 1938.
His ideas of reforms were beautifully captured in the party’s tenets – “Six Arrows”, which were republicanism, nationalism, statism and industralization, populism, secularism, and revolution.
He was successful at creating a system that ensured that the country remained in perpetual revolution. He hoped this would enable Turkey remain an economic and political powerhouse in region for the foreseeable future.
Other memorable accomplishments of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
- He helped draft the Turkish constitution in 1937
- He adopted a friendly stance towards European countries. For example, he signed treaties with Great Britain and Greece in 1926 and 1930 respectively.
- Atatürk worked hard to resolve all border and maritime disputes with neighboring countries. He also allowed minority Greek populations to move to Greece.
- Kemal Mustafa quashed any attempt to destabilize the country. This included the time when plotters wanted to assassinate Kemal. He also put down the Kurds’ revolt of 1925.
- He made primary education free and compulsory as well. Huge investments were made in the educational sector.
- Kemal allowed for the creation of an opposition party, which was led by his longtime friend Ali Fethi in 1930.
- He created a homogeneous Turkish identity and culture that still lives on to this day.
His images appear virtually everywhere in Turkey – in homes, schools, offices, factories, government buildings, etc. His image is plastered on every bank note and coin in Turkey. And his words are often committed to memory by school children across the country. Owing to his numerous accomplishments and dedication to his country, he remains an ever-present figure in the Turkey, even after close to a century since his death. He is an unquestioned national hero – truly one of the greatest leaders that graced the 20th century.
How did Mustafa Kemal Atatürk die?
Historians have stated that his overindulgence in alcohol and cigarette did not augur well for him in his later life. On November 10, 1938 at 9:05, the “Father of the Turks” passed away at the Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. He was 57. It is believed that he died of cirrhosis of the liver. His final resting place is at the Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Ankara, Turkey.
*The conflict between the GNA and the Armenians to this day raises a lot of controversy over the exact number of Armenians that died. Some claim more than a million Armenians died. Ankara however puts the figure in the tens of thousands.