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HISTORY OF TURKEY
OTTOMAN EMPIRE
Anatolia (Turkey in Asia) was occupied in about 1900 B.C. by the Indo-European Hittites and, after the Hittite empire's collapse in 1200 B.C., by Phrygians and Lydians. The Persian Empire occupied the area in the 6th century B.C., giving way to the Roman Empire, then later the Byzantine Empire. The Ottoman Turks first appeared in the early 13th century, subjugating Turkish and Mongol bands pressing against the eastern borders of Byzantium and making the Christian Balkan states their vassals. They gradually spread through the Near East and Balkans, capturing Constantinople in 1453 and storming the gates of Vienna two centuries later. At its height, the Ottoman Empire stretched from the Persian Gulf to western Algeria. Lasting for 600 years, the Ottoman Empire was not only one of the most powerful empires in the history of the Mediterranean region, but it generated a great cultural outpouring of Islamic art, architecture, and literature.
After the reign of Sultan Süleyman I the Magnificent (1494--1566), the Ottoman Empire began to decline politically, administratively, and economically. By the 18th century, Russia was seeking to establish itself as the protector of Christians in Turkey's Balkan territories. Russian ambitions were checked by Britain and France in the Crimean War (1854--1856), but the Russo-Turkish War (1877--1878) gave Bulgaria virtual independence and Romania and Serbia liberation from their nominal allegiance to the sultan. Turkish weakness stimulated a revolt of young liberals known as the Young Turks in 1909. They forced Sultan Abdul Hamid to grant a constitution and install a liberal government. However, reforms were no barrier to further defeats in a war with Italy (1911--1912) and the Balkan Wars (1912--1913). Turkey sided with Germany in World War I, and, as a result, lost territory at the conclusion of the war.
REPUBLIC OF TURKEY
War Of Independence & MUSTAFA KEMAL ATATURK
After World War 1 Turkey was invaded by the allied forces. The signing parties of the Armistice of Mondoros i.e., France, Britain and Italy openly flouted the terms laid down and did not withdraw their armies from the Turkish Provinces. Thus Adana was still occupied by the French, Urfa, Maras, Merzifon and Samsun by the British and Antalya and Konya by the Italian troops. To top it all, on May 15th, 1919, the Greek Army, with the consent of France, Britain and Italy, intruded Izmir. A war was imminent.
Mustafa Kemal started the Turkish Liberation War on 19th May. The Turkish Army won over the majority of the enemy forces after a crucial victory. In recognition of his outstanding military exploits in the war, Mustafa Kemal was duly conferred the titles of Ghazi and Marshall.
The landmark in Turkish history was on 24th July 1923, when the Treaty of Lausanne gave Turkey the status of an independent nation. Away from the blazing guns and the fierce war cries, Mustafa Kemal now immersed himself in building up a strong, dynamic state.
Eventually, on the 29th of October 1923, he brought into being the Republic of Turkey. He was elected the first President of Turkey. |
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