Modern Turkey :: essays research papers

THE REPUBLIC PERIOD Modern Turkish Period (1923-Present) 1923 Establishment of the Turkish Republic with Ataturk as its first president 1924 Abolition of Caliphate 1925-38 Ataturk's program of reforms to modernize Turkey 1938 Death of Ataturk; Ismet Inonu becomes the Republic's second president 1939-45 Despite the alliance with Britain and France, Turkey remains neutral during World War II 1946 Turkey becomes a charter member of United Nations 1950 Turkey enters Korean War as a part of United Nations force; change from a single-party to a multi-party system 1952 Joins the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) The attempt of the victorious Allies to control the Anatolian territory led to the Turkish War of Independence (1918-23). Following the occupation of Istanbul in 1920 by the British, Italian and French, a Greek army advanced from Izmir deep into Anatolia. While the sultan offered no resistance, under the leadership of Kemal Ataturk, the Turkish Nationalists overturned the postwar settlement embodied in the Treaty of Sà ©vres (1920) and established the Republic of Turkey, formally recognized by the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923. Mustafa Kemal retired his military uniform and inspired the people to an even greater task: Transformation of the country into the democratic, secular Republic of Turkey. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk 1881 Birth of Mustafa in Salonika 1893 Enters Military Secondary School where he is given the name of Kema 1899 Enters War College in Constantinople 1902 Graduates as lieutenant 1905 Posted to 5th Army in Damascus 1907 Posted to 3rd Army in Salonika 1908 "Young Turk" Revolution in Salonika 1911 Posted to General Staff in Constantinople; goes to Tobruk and Derna with Turkish Forces, promoted to Major 1912 Balkan War; severe defeat, returns home 1913 Appointed Military Attachà © in Sofia 1914 Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel; Turkey signs secret alliance with Germany; Russia, Britain and France declare war on Turkey 1915 Appointed to reorganize 9th Division, in Thrace; unsuccessful allied naval attack on Dardanelles; allied military landing at Ariburnu (Anzac); promoted to colonel; appointed to command 16th Army Corps 1916 Allied evacuation of Gallipoli Peninsula; transferred to Caucasus front; promoted to General and Pasa 1917 Returns to Constantinople 1919 Appointed Inspector-General in Anatolia; lands in Samsun; issues "Declaration of Independence" at Amasya; ordered by Government to return; resigns from the army; Nationalist Congress at Sivas and Erzurum; National Pact; new parliament elected; headquarters at Angora 1920 (April 23) First Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) at Ankara 1921 Consecutive battles against different enemies; given title of Gazi and rank of Marshal by TGNA