Mustafa Kemal (Atatruk) and the Moderization of Turkey

Mustafa Kemal
Mustafa Kemal was the First President of the Turkish Republic during the 20th century. The Turkish people were proud of their national liberator.He was the leader of the Turkish emancipation. Mustafa first started in the military before he became the leader of Turkey.He was able to fight off and defeat his enemies on the East, West and the South with an unstable army.He holds a perfect military record of having only victories and has never been defeated which makes him one of the most brilliant strategists in the world. The people of Turkey feel nothing but gratitude to the man who gave a Turkey a new life.

Secularism and the Six Arrows
-Secularism is the separation of state from religion, religion from education, cultural and legal affairs. Mustafa Kemal made up the Six Arrows in which he hoped to modernize Turkey. The Six Arrows are as follows: Republicanism,Populism, Secularism,Reformism, Nationalism and Statism. Each of these "arrows" summarize Kemal's plans for Turkey. He chose to make Turkey a republic government because he believed that it was the only way he could fufill the people's desire. In populism he gave woman more rights, and he believed that no class was above any other. This would give a true sense of unification of the country.Reformism was very important to Kemal. He replaced traditional values and modernized them. For example he refused to let the Turkish people wear fez's on their heads, and he "westernized" their clothes.Nationalism was to preserve Turkey's independence.They respected one another and they did not make others feel inferior to them. Mustafa wanted his people to know that the people was what made the country so great. Statism was "Turkey's complete modernization". Kemal emphasized that Turkey could only thrive from their economy and technological development. The state was the main source of economic activities and the owners of major companies or industries in the country.

More Reforms
- Mustafa Kemal stressed that education was the important thing in the world.The only way that the country could get better socially and economically was if the people got the best education. He declared himself as the Prime Minister of Education. He expanded education for everyone and made it free so that everyone could have a chance to learn. He also valued peace. He said " peace is the most effective way for nations to attain prosperity and happiness". He build friendships and peace treaties with other nations and taught the Turkish people to respect other nations even if they wanted to conquer .Turkey years ago.Turkey had peace treaties with Greece, Romania , Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.Turkey had strong relationships with the superpowers England, United States, etc.

Mustafa Kemal's Legacy
-After his death in 1938, he left a lasting impression on the Turkish people. He helped rebuild Turkey for the better and made many positive contributions to his country. He is the most beloved icon in Turkey and because of his love and dedication to his country, the Turkish people gave him the Ataturk " The Father of Turks"