Mustafa Ataturk - Omani and Turkish reformer, politician, first president of the Republic of Turkey, founder of the modern Turkish state. He was an impeccable military leader and a talented leader.
Childhood, adolescence
Ataturk Mustafa Kemal was born in 1881 in the Ottoman Empire in the city of Thessaloniki. There is a very interesting fact in his biography. The exact date of birth of the future leader of the Turks is unknown. Before his birth, Mustafa's parents had two sons died immediately after birth. The mother and father were almost sure that the same fate awaited the third son, so they did not remember the exact date of birth of the child and did not immediately register it. Mustafa's father rose to the rank of officer, but ended his life as a trader in the market. The mother was known for her religious beliefs.
Ataturk Mustafa Kemal began his studies at a religious school. For his mother, this was important, so the future leader tolerated strict rules and was almost an exemplary pupil. Later, at the insistence of his father, he was transferred to a European school of economic orientation. At first, young Mustafa was very happy about this, but the economy did not attract him. It was much more interesting for him to study the tactics and strategy of military affairs.
After the death of his father, Mustafa Ataturk decided to link his life with military affairs. He graduated from high school and later studied at the Istanbul Military Academy. It was there that he got his middle name - Kemal. It was given to a talented boy by a local math teacher. Translated from Turkish, it means "flawless". The future leader with the rank of lieutenant graduated from college, and then went to study at the Military Academy. Upon graduation, he became a staff captain.
Career
In 1905-197, Mustafa Ataturk served in the Fifth Army, which was stationed in Damascus. In 1907 he was promoted and transferred to the Third Army.
While still a student, Mustafa took an active part in the revolutionary movement. In World War I, Atatürk proved that his training was not in vain. He showed himself from an exceptionally good side and rose to the rank of colonel. Under his leadership, the Turks won the battles of Anafartalar and Kirechtepe. Later he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.
In 1918, the army was disbanded and Atatürk began to work in the defense sector. In subsequent years, many reforms were carried out. Mustafa Kemal became the leader of the Republican People's Party. The Ottoman Empire ceased to exist. After the end of the war, it began to disintegrate into separate territories. Kemal Mustafa actively advocated the preservation of the country's unity. In 1920, a new parliament was proclaimed - the Grand National Assembly. In 1923 the Turkish Republic was proclaimed. Ataturk became its head. In 1924, the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey was written, which remained valid until 1961.
The post-war times were very difficult, but Kemal immediately determined the main strategy for the development of the new republic. He stated that it is necessary to pursue a course towards strengthening economic independence. As it turned out later, this decision was correct.
During the years of Mustafa Ataturk's rule, he carried out a number of reforms in the sphere of public life:
- changed the requirements for hats and clothes:
- proclaimed equal rights for women and men;
- issued a law on surnames;
- made changes to the Turkish alphabet.
In the economic sphere, the following transformations were carried out:
- exemplary agricultural enterprises have been created;
- the Law on Industry and the Establishment of Industrial Enterprises was issued;
- the system of ashar (outdated taxation of agriculture) has been abolished.
Under Ataturk, many roads were built on the territory of the Turkish Republic. Education has reached a new level. Many educational institutions were created and obtaining the desired profession became much more accessible.
Personal life
The personal life of the founder of the Turkish Republic has always been hidden from prying eyes. In his youth, Mustafa had several hobbies, but he devoted almost all his free time to military affairs, career, political activity. This prevented him from building a full-fledged family. In 1924, he nevertheless married Latifa Ushaklygil. The marriage was concluded just a few days after the death of his mother.
The union between Mustafa and Latifa seemed strange to many. From the very beginning, those close to the Turkish leader argued that the relationship would not last long. Latifa was very wayward and wanted to remake her spouse, constantly made some claims to him, tried to interfere in his affairs. This led to the fact that already in 1925 they divorced. Ataturk did not have his own children. But he took up 8 daughters and 2 sons. Subsequently, the leader's daughters achieved great success. One of them became a famous historian, and the other - the first woman-pilot in the history of Turkey. His daughters were a kind of symbol of the independence and freedom of Turkish women.
Mustafa Ataturk was very fond of reading books, music, horse riding. He said many times that he would not have reached such heights in his career if in his youth he had not spent one of the two kopecks he earned on books. Kemal spoke German and French and collected a large library. He loved nature, often went hunting, and he could discuss the problems of his native country in an informal setting, inviting scientists, art workers, and politicians.
Ataturk died in 1938. His health condition in the last years of his life deteriorated greatly due to liver cirrhosis. He was buried on the territory of the museum in Ankara, and later his remains were reburied in the named mausoleum.
