Mustafa Kemal was born in 1881 in Salonika and rose through the ranks of the military to become a prominent commander during World War I. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, he led the War of Independence and founded the Republic of Turkey in 1923, initiating a period of comprehensive reforms that transformed the country.
Mustafa Kemal was born in 1881 in Salonika and rose through the ranks of the military to become a prominent commander during World War I. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, he led the War of Independence and founded the Republic of Turkey in 1923, initiating a period of comprehensive reforms that transformed the country.
نُشر فيIstanbul: The Center of Eurasian Interaction

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

نُشر فيIstanbul: The Center of Eurasian Interaction

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is considered one of the most prominent figures in the history of modern Turkey, and a symbol of Istanbul’s transformation from a traditional Ottoman city into a modern cultural center. Although the capital moved to Ankara after the founding of the Republic, Istanbul remained the cultural and economic heart of the country, and under Atatürk, it witnessed profound changes that leave a lasting impact.

First: A brief historical background

Mustafa Kemal was born in 1881 in Salonika and rose through the ranks of the military to become a prominent commander during World War I. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, he led the War of Independence and founded the Republic of Turkey in 1923, initiating a period of comprehensive reforms that transformed the country.

Second: Ataturk’s reforms and their impact on Istanbul

Modernization of management and organizational structure

Reorganization of municipalities and government institutions

Introduction of modern administrative systems

Strengthening the role of civil law

Developing administrative structures that directly impacted the administration of Istanbul

Education and cultural reforms

Unifying the education system

Abolishing traditional schools

Establishing modern schools and universities

Supporting the arts, theater, and music

Creating a new cultural environment that made Istanbul a center of creativity

Updating social life

Introducing modern civil laws

Strengthening the role of women in society

Changing public lifestyles

Supporting social and cultural institutions

Infrastructure development

Although the capital became Ankara, Istanbul has witnessed:

Road improvements

Port development

Modernization of transportation systems

Support for new urban development projects

Third: Istanbul in the early days of the Republic

After 1923, Istanbul faced significant challenges due to the relocation of the capital, but it quickly regained its prominence thanks to:

Its geographical location

And its economic strength

Its cultural heritage

State support for modernization projects

Atatürk himself frequently visited Istanbul, considering it Turkey’s face to the world

Fourth: Ataturk’s legacy in Istanbul today

His influence remains evident in:

Universities and educational institutions

Museums and cultural centers

The modern administrative structure

And the city’s civic identity

The republican values ​​that Istanbul embraced early on

Numerous squares, schools, and bridges bear his name in recognition of his role in building the modern state.

conclusion

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was not merely a political leader, but the architect of an entire era of transformation.

Istanbul—with its profound history and ever-renewing spirit—was one of the most significant arenas where his influence was most clearly felt.

Understanding his role in the city helps us to read the history of modern Türkiye and grasp the roots of a transformation that continues to this day.

Mustafa Kemal was born in 1881 in Salonika and rose through the ranks of the military to become a prominent commander during World War I. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, he led the War of Independence and founded the Republic of Turkey in 1923, initiating a period of comprehensive reforms that transformed the country.
Mustafa Kemal was born in 1881 in Salonika and rose through the ranks of the military to become a prominent commander during World War I. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, he led the War of Independence and founded the Republic of Turkey in 1923, initiating a period of comprehensive reforms that transformed the country.