Who is Mustafa Kemal Atatürk?
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938) is considered a hero by many people of Turkish descent, and by many leaders around the world. He established democracy, under single party rule in Turkey, and created significant reforms in there. His policies championed public education in what had previously been a mostly illiterate country, extolled the virtues of Westernization, created reforms for women, and promoted peaceful relationships with Europe and America. Though he sometimes led the country in an autocratic way, he is still considered a fantastic leader. He earned the respect of people like General MacArthur, and has been honored by the United Nations, President Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth II, and various other world leaders (past and present) as a true example of leadership, progressiveness, and social reform. The young boy Mustafa was given the name Kemal by a teacher because of his ability to excel in his studies. The name Atatürk would come much later when he established the Republic of
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic and its first President, stands as a towering figure of the 20th Century. Among the great leaders of history, few have achieved so much in so short period, transformed the life of a nation as decisively, and given such profound inspiration to the world at large. Emerging as a military hero at the Dardanelles in 1915, he became the charismatic leader of the Turkish national liberation struggle in 1919. He blazed across the world scene in the early 1920s as a triumphant commander who crushed the invaders of his country. Following a series of impressive victories against all odds, he led his nation to full independence. He put an end to the antiquated Ottoman dynasty whose tale had lasted more than six centuries – and created the Republic of Turkey in 1923, establishing a new government truly representative of the nation’s will. As President for 15 years, until his death in 1938, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk introduced a broad range of s
