English Learning for Curious Minds #540 | Mustafa Kemal Atatürk | The Father of Modern Turkey
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Apr 10, 2025 Dive into the remarkable life of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the architect of modern Turkey. Uncover his pivotal 36-hour speech that inspired a nation and his emergence as a military leader during World War I. Explore the dramatic decline of the Ottoman Empire and Atatürk's visionary reforms that established a secular republic. Delve into his radical modernization efforts, including language reform and the introduction of surnames. Discover why his legacy still resonates powerfully in Turkey today.
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Atatürk's Nutuk
- In 1927, Turkey's president, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, delivered a 36-hour speech over six days.
- This speech, known as Nutuk ("The Speech"), is a cornerstone of Turkish history, outlining Turkey's founding.
Turkey's Real Beginning
- Atatürk considered May 19, 1919, as Turkey's true beginning—the day he arrived in Samsun.
- He viewed this as the start of the Turkish War of Independence and disregarded earlier history in Nutuk.
Ottoman Decline
- The Ottoman Empire, once immensely powerful, declined by the late 19th century.
- Factors include internal corruption and military defeats, leading to it being labeled the "sick man of Europe."
