Mustafa Kemal was born and grew up in Thessaloniki (Today’s Greek city). He experienced the nationalism in Europe. Nationalism was very powerful in Balkans after 19th century. That’s why Ottoman Empire lost the Balkan region.

On the other hand, Ottoman Empire was losing power and domination in that period. It means that Ottoman Empire couldn’t manage to survive for a long time. The only way was to establish a new Turkish state based on nationalism. One-man or a family ruling system wasn’t valid for a modern world. The empires were collapsed in the world including Russian Empire. The age of empires had already been finished in that era. It was very easy to soften the regime and to impose on the nations, and it wasn’t suitable for the benefits of the public. This principle is also valid for today’s world. Democracy and public domination are the best way to develop a country.

He also believed in reforming the state. That’s why he planned social, economic and cultural reforms to develop Turkish nation. Firstly, education is the basic area to be developed. Then factories are very essential for economic development. Having a good position in the world depends on cultural and economic development. That’s why he planned to establish a new Turkish state based on nationalism.

Always Ataturk…….

Some people maybe will see this picture first time. This is the photo that was taken when Turkish Public Parliament in Ankara on 23rd April 1920. He isn’t alone, the deputies and colleagues are behind him. None of them seem nervous, they are on the same line with him. They did respect and trust him even though they didn’t have the same vision with him.

Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk after 1934) always relied on the power of the public. He had never moved alone, he was always with his colleagues and his nation. He knows that a dictator can be powerful, but he can’t be respected by the nation. His nation is always more important than everything for him. He never made decisions without consulting parliament and his colleagues.

He is the man of the nation. He is the man of the freedom. He is the guide of the free and peaceful world.

Always Ataturk….