Atatürk Society of America

" I am not leaving a spritual legacy
of dogmas, unchangeable petrified directives. My spritual legacy is
science and reason."

M. Kemal Atatürk 1933

In His Own Words

" May 15, 1919 Occupation of Izmir, 3 years and 4 months. I left Istanbul on the same day."

(From Ataturk's Diaries, Notebook numbered 18, p.31. Ataturk'un Not Defterleri, A. M. Inan, Gundogan Press, Second edition January 1998, p.88)

"I was at Black Sea on that dark day, and here I am today at the Mediterranean Sea."

"I ask the world civilizations: Is this civilization, can people responsible for savage actions speak in the name of humanity, of civilization, of individuality?

What do they want to undertake in our country? The minorities were rich and peaceful. They were all getting along like brothers. Who made them murderers?

Izmir is Turkish.

Those who consider this nation incapable will learn."

(p.30, ibid. Inan, p.88)

"History will register with awe the British Government's trust in such a ridiculous attempt: To make a ridiculous people the conquerors of Turkey. A political and military blunder."

(p.29, ibid. Inan, p.88)

Answer to Lloyd George. Some friends asked me whether I would not answer him. I said I will, leave the timing to me."

(p.28, ibid Inan, p.89)

"We sent our Foreign and Interior Ministers. We proved to the world that we want peace with all our human feelings. But our interlocutors happened to be people who enjoy not human feelings but bloody scenes. Is it our fault that a lot of Greek blood was shed as a result?

British diplomats do not have even a residue of human responsibility."

(p.27, ibid. Inan, p. 89)

"Look at the sun rising in the East.

I see the rising of eastern nations as I see the dawn today. There are many brotherly nations that will gain their freedom and independence. Their re-birth will no doubt be in the direction of progress and prosperity. They will succeed despite all the difficulties and hurdles, and will reach the future that is awaiting them.

Colonialism and imperialism will disappear from the face of the earth, and they will be replaced by a harmonious co-operation era that does not discriminate between colour, religion and ethnicity of nations."

(March 1933, as reported on 20 December 1954 in Newspaper Dunya.

Ataturk'ten Dusunceler, Prof. E.Z. Karal, METU Press October 1998 p.15)

"Anatolia, by this defence, is not only fulfilling a survival duty for itself, but most probably is erecting a barrier against all attacks directed to the East. All these aggressions will definitely end. Only then, real calm, real prosperity and real humane treatment will prevail in the West and in the World."

(October 1921, from Ataturk's Speeches and Statements v. II.

ibid. Karal p.15)

"We are called nationalists. But we are such a nationalist that we have respect for all nations who co-operate with us. We recognize all their national requirements. Our nationalism is not a selfish and arrogant nationalism."

(August 1920, from Ataturk's Speeches and Statements,v.I.

ibid. Karal p.4)

"You will recall that I pronounced the National Pact in Ankara.

I have to admit that I also tried to define the national boundaries a little along the lines of human goals of Wilsonian principles. But I should immediately add that I defended the boundaries defined and defended by Turkish bayonets based on those human principles.

Poor Wilson did not understand that the boundaries not defended by bayonets, force, honor and dignity cannot be defended by any other principle."

(April 1926, from the Newspaper Hakimiyeti Milliye.

ibid. Karal p.11)

"I am one of those who expect all miracles from the parliament. We are at a stage where everything has to be legal. Doing the right thing in national affairs is possible only by relying on national decisions and by reflecting the general public tendency."

(March 1920, from Ankara'nin Ilk Gunleri, Yunus Nadi.

ibid. Karal p. 20)

"There is no such thing as ruling the nation, there is only serving the nation."

(Address to the National Assembly in December 1921.

Ataturk Genclik ve Hurriyet, Sadi Borak, Kaynak Press, 2. edition, August 1998 p. 60)

"A military victory is insufficient for a true liberation. In our political life, in social life, in the education of people, science and technology will be our guide."

(From an address to teachers in Bursa, 27 October 1922)

"Those who conquer by the sword are condemned to be defeated by the plough....No matter how great political and military victories may be , they must be crowned by economic victories otherwise they cannot be maintained, but will be extinguished."

(From an address to the Economic Congress in Izmir, 17 February 1923)

"The Turkish Republic cannot be a country of shiekhs, dervishes and disciples. The truest and surest path is the path to civilization."

(From an address in Kastamonu, 30 August 1930)

"It is only education, science and teachers that can save the nation."

(From an address to male teachers of Izmir, 14 October 1925)

"No matter how great may be the victories won by a nation at the battle field, those victories may only yield lasting results through the efforts of an army of educators."

(From an address to teachers in Kutahya, 2 April 1923)

"I am not leaving a spiritual legacy of dogmas, unchangeable petrified directives. My spiritual legacy is science and reason....What I wanted to do and what I tried to achieve for the Turkish Nation is quite evident. If those people who wish to follow me after I am gone take the reason and science as their guides they will be my true spiritual heirs."

(His reply to then Minister of Education Dr. Resit Galip, quoted by H. S. Tanriover,)

"The result we have attained today is the enlightenment which arose from centuries of national suffering, and has been paid for with the blood shed in every corner of this beloved land.

I entrust this result with the Turkish youth."

(From His speech delivered at the Second Congress of the Republican People's Party 15-20 October 1927.

Nutuk-Soylev,Turk Tarih Kurumu Press 3. edition, 1989 v.II, p. 1195)

"It is claimed that religious unity is also a factor in the formation of nations. Whereas, we see the contrary in the Turkish nation. Turks were a great nation even before they adopted Islam. This religion did not help the Arabs, Iranians, Egyptians and others to unite with Turks to form a nation. Conversely, it weakened the Turks’ national relations; it numbed Turkish national feelings and enthusiasm. This was natural, because Mohammedanism was based on Arab nationalism above all nationalities."

From his book on Citizenship.

(Ataturk, Yurttaslik Bilgileri, Yenigun Haber Ajansi, June 1997, pp. 18.)

"The Turkish nation is aware it is independent on the irreversible road to civilization, and also mutual human and civilized relations with all civilized nations are certainly necessary for continued joint progress as equals. They also know, like any civilized nation, to appreciate the value of nations and people who contributed to all past civilizations with their discoveries and inventions, and to preserve their legacies to humanity. The Turkish nation is a true member of the international society."

(ibid, pp.20-21)

"In our times, there are some traditionally basic principles on which this fundamental institution (Parliament and government) rests:

a) Democracy "People’s sovereignty": This is the principle where the will and sovereignty belong and must belong to the people as a whole. The principle of democracy is evidenced in the principle of national sovereignty.

b) Representative government: This principle regulates the application and administration of national sovereignty.

c) The supremacy of the constitution: This principle provides, in the contemporary constitutional law, for the judicial balance and for respect for law."

(ibid, p. 29)

"1. Scrutiny and debate are entirely free. Everyone exercises this freedom independently and without any intervention by others.

2. The freedom of scrutiny is mainly exercised through the media.

3. The good of the public must be fundamental and be borne in mind in any scrutiny and debate. Any opinion offered must be for the good of the people. This being the point of departure, scrutiny and debate will benefit the state and will elevate the level of social and political education of the citizens.

4. Freedom of scrutiny of public affairs creates a forum of agreement between the government and the people. The government informs itself through the media and, as may be necessary, will inform the public with relevant facts. This enables the government to understand the people and the people the government, and ensures their agreement."

(idem, p. 72)

"The people must be the overseers of the government. If governments’ actions are unsatisfactory, and if people do not object and denounce them they would be taking part in all the mistakes and guilt………….

Today, nations recognize only one sovereignty: sovereignty of the people. Looking at the details of an administration we would see that all begins in a village, a community, in other words with persons. People can be led by any one in the wrong or right direction if they are not educated. For his/her salvation every person must take his/her future in his/her own hands. An institution built from bottom to top, from the foundation to the roof will certainly be strong."

From a speech at the Agricultural School in Ankara on December 28, 1920

(Sadi Borak, Ataturk Genclik ve Hurriyet, 2. edition 1998, Kaynak Press, p.58 and E. Z. Karal, Ataturk’ten Dusunceler, Metu Press Oct. 1998, p.22)

"There is no such thing as being the master of the nation, there is service for the nation." "Gentlemen, the nation sent us here; but we are not convened here to represent the nation’s sovereignty and administer until the end of our lives, as if we inherited this representation."

From an address to the Parliament, Dec. 1, 1921.

(Borak, idem, pp. 60and 61; Karal, idem, p.22)

"The goal of the war of independence was to achieve full independence and unconditional and unlimited sovereignty. The nation declared the plan of action for independence in the National Pact, and the plan of action for sovereignty in the Constitution."

From a press conference in Izmit, Jan. 1923
(Karal, idem, p.5)

"Our government and our state structure are created by the people, and are called republic. There is no longer a separation between the government and the people. The government is the people, the people is the government. The government and its members are now aware that they are not other than the people, and that the people are the masters."

From a speech in Oct.1925.
(Karal, idem, p. 33)

"History is made as much with emotions as with knowledge, reason and logic. It would be wrong to assume that we can erase the centuries old emotions of our enemies with only today’s developments. We will erase these feelings not with victories but by adopting the contemporary progress, by undertaking all that is necessary for contemporary science and civilization, and by actually reaching the level of knowledge of all civilized nations."

From a speech in March 1923.

(Karal, idem, p.40)

"Impediments to our actions will never come from the public. The people want to be prosperous, independent, and wealthy; it is very difficult to be poor while observing the wealth of the neighbors. Those who nourish reactionary ideas think they can rely on certain groups. This is an absolute illusion. We will destroy those who stand in our way to progress. We will not stop on the high ground of progress. The world advances in an incredible speed. Can we stay outside this rhythm?"

From a speech in Dec. 1923

(Karal, idem, p.41)

"Success towards civilization depends on renewal. Renewal is the only means to progress and development, to success in social and economic life, in science and technology."

"We are not yet free, the steps taken are the first steps of those to be taken in the future." "The rules that govern our life and our livelihood must change, develop and be renewed with time."

(Attila Ilhan, Hangi Ataturk, Bilgi Publications, 3. edition 1996, p.68)

"By National Policy we mean our defense within our national borders and the work for our country’s real prosperity and development with our own power."

From his speech on 15 Oct. 1927.

(ibid, p.76)

"All nations have become and are still becoming members of one family. Therefore, one has to respect the peace and prosperity of all nations as much as he/she respects the existence and happiness of his/her own nation. One has to endeavour to work for the happiness of all nations, if he/she values the happiness of his/her own nation."

From a speech in 1937.

(ibid, p.76)

"It is claimed that religious unity is also a factor in the formation of nations. Whereas, we see the contrary in the Turkish nation.

Turks were a great nation even before they adopted Islam. This religion did not help the Arabs, Iranians, Egyptians and others to unite with Turks to form a nation. Conversely, it weakened the Turks’ national relations; it numbed Turkish national feelings and enthusiasm. This was natural, because Mohammedanism was based on Arab nationalism above all nationalities."

From his book on Citizenship.

(Ataturk, Yurttaslik Bilgileri, Yenigun Haber Ajansi, June 1997, pp. 18.)

(ibid, pp.20-21)

"In our times, there are some traditionally basic principles on which this fundamental institution (Parliament and government) rests: a) Democracy ‘People’s sovereignty’: This is the principle where the will and sovereignty belong and must belong to the people as a whole. The principle of democracy is evidenced in the principle of national sovereignty.

b) Representative government: This principle regulates the application and administration of national sovereignty. c) The supremacy of the constitution: This principle provides, in the contemporary constitutional law, for the judicial balance and for respect for law."

(ibid, p. 29)

"1. Scrutiny and debate are entirely free. Everyone exercises this freedom independently and without any intervention by others.

2. The freedom of scrutiny is mainly exercised through the media…………….

3. The good of the public must be fundamental and be borne in mind in any scrutiny and debate. Any opinion offered must be for the good of the people.

This being the point of departure, scrutiny and debate will benefit the state and will elevate the level of social and political education of the citizens.

(ibid, p. 72)

From a speech at the Agricultural School in Ankara on December 28, 1920

(Sadi Borak, Ataturk Genclik ve Hurriyet, 2. edition 1998, Kaynak Press, p.58 and E. Z. Karal, Ataturk’ten Dusunceler, Metu Press Oct. 1998, p.22)

"There is no such thing as being the master of the nation, there is service for the nation."

"Gentlemen, the nation sent us here; but we are not convened here to represent the nation’s sovereignty and administer until the end of our lives, as if we inherited this representation."

From an address to the Parliament, Dec. 1, 1921.

(Borak, idem, pp. 60and 61; Karal, idem, p.22)

From a press conference in Izmit, Jan. 1923

(Karal, idem, p.5)

From a speech in Oct.1925.

(Karal, idem, p. 33)

From a speech in March 1923.

(Karal, idem, p.40)

From a speech in Dec. 1923

(Karal, idem, p.41)

"Success towards civilization depends on renewal. Renewal is the only means to progress and development, to success in social and economic life, in science and technology."

"We are not yet free, the steps taken are the first steps of those to be taken in the future."

"The rules that govern our life and our livelihood must change, develop and be renewed with time."

(Attila Ilhan, Hangi Ataturk, Bilgi Publications, 3. edition 1996, p.68)

"By National Policy we mean our defense within our national borders and the work for our country’s real prosperity and development with our own power."

From his speech on 15 Oct. 1927.

(ibid, p.76)

From a speech in 1937.

(ibid, p.76)

"Turkey is now beyond being a stage for religious plays and for religious laws. If there still such players they should find a stage elsewhere."

From a speech in Oct. 1924.

(Karal, idem, p.58)

"We have to admit that Muslim countries from east to west were trampled by enemies and became enemies’ slaves, because in all societies of the Muslim world a wrong mentality prevails."

From a speech in March 1923

(Karal, idem, p. 59)

"In human life, you will find players of religion until the knowledge and proficiency in religion will be cleansed from all superstitions, and will be purified and perfected by the enlightenment of real science."

From a speech in Oct. 1927.

(Karal, idem, p.59)

"You know there is an unforgiving enmity between the societies of the Muslim world and the masses of the Christian world. Muslims became eternal enemies of Christians, and Christians those of Muslims. They viewed each other as non-believers, fanatics. The two worlds co-existed with this fanaticism and enmity. As a result of this enmity, the Muslim world was distanced from the western progress that took a new form and color every century. Because, Muslims viewed progress with disdain and disgust. At the same time, the Muslim world had to hold on to its arms as a result of this enmity that lasted for centuries between the two groups. This continuous occupation with arms, enmity, and disdain for western progress constitute another important cause of our regression,"

From a speech in March 1923.

(Karal, idem, p. 60)