nü (first Prime Minister of Turkey)
Political Party – Republican People’s Party (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi )
Other names – Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Mustafa Kemal Pasha
Famous for – Founder of the Republic of Turkey, First President of Turkey (1923 – 1938)
Ideologies – Secularism and Nationalism
Major Accomplishments of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
He was a very distinguished soldier in the Ottoman Empire
Mustafa Kemal’s military journey began at quite an early age, graduating from a number of military academies with flying colors. There was no doubt whatsoever that he was going to play a crucial part in the then Ottoman Empire. From very small beginning in the early 15th century, the Empire had grown to vast, covering provinces on three separate continents – Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Although he was introduced to secular ideas right from his high school days, Mustafa Kemal, who was by the way an anti-monarchist, still showed a high sense of loyalty and patriotism to the Ottoman during his time in the military. He volunteered to serve in several provinces across the Empire, including in present-day Libya, Albania and Syria. For example, he and his men fought very hard to overpower a far larger Italian force in Libya in the Battle of Tobruk in December 1911. Prior to the start of WWI, he featured in the first and second Balkan Wars (1912-1913).
Military victory at the Battle of Gallipoli in 1915
After the outbreak of WWI, Mustafa Kemal, then stationed at Sofia, Bulgaria, was put in charge of the 19th Division at the Gallipoli Peninsula. The Ottoman Empire had chosen to join forces with the Central Powers that included Germany, Austria-Hungry, and Bulgaria. Their forces were pitted against the Allied nations of Italy, Great Britain, France and Greece.
Kemal’s post at Gallipoli was a very strategic place because it allowed the Allies to make an effective landing. However, the sheer bravery and quick thinking of Mustafa Kemal proved crucial in pushing the Allies out of Gallipoli.
Although the Ottomans eventually lost the war to the Allies, the only name that the soldiers sung of was Mustafa Kemel’s. His heroic displays and leadership at Gallipoli won the trust of many junior officers. Many even called him “Istanbul’s Savior”.
Shortly after Gallipoli, he rose quickly through the various ranks in the military – first a colonel and later a general (i.e. Pasha).
Did you know: Mustafa Kemal was the only Turkish general to secure any meaningful battle win against the Russians?
Leader of the Turkish National Movement
After the defeat of the Ottomans, along with the Central Powers, Sultan Mehmed VI went on to become the puppet of the Allies. The Sultan received enormous criticism, with many claiming that he had sold the empire to the Allies. Mehmed VI’s inability to resist the Allies or even force a peace treaty proved very damaging to his reputation across the Empire.
To add insult to injury, Mustafa Kemal and his unit in the armies were disbanded in November 1919. He could no longer bear the continued occupation by the Allies (i.e. Britain, France, Italy and Greece).
Kemal, along with the likes of Ali Fuat and Rauf Orbay, set out to wrestle his nation out of the invaders’ hands. They picked Ankara as their base. From there, the group linked up with several army officers in various parts of Anatolia. Unaware of the group’s intention, the Sultan appointed Mustafa Kemal to the position of inspector general for the Anatolia region. He was tasked to bring order to Anatolia. However, Kemal immediately sided with the resistance. He received the support of many military generals, including General Kazim Karabekir who had close to 20,000 men under his command.
Shortly after, a congress was set up at Erzurum in July 1919. Kemal was made the president of the congress. Ignoring the orders of the Sultan in Istanbul, he proceeded to lead the newly established provisional government in Anatolia. Upon the ratification of a pact, the Sivas Congress was born. It was full of patriotic nationalists.
President of the Grand National Assembly (GNA) in Ankara
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