Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Nutuk is a 36-hour historical address delivered by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk at the CHP Congress between October 15-20, 1927, in which he recounts the historical process between 1919 and 1927, the National Struggle, and the founding of the Republic of Türkiye. It is the foundational document of the Turkish Revolution, a work of accountability, and a testament entrusting the newly founded state to the nation.
A life-or-death struggle between the great Turkish nation (led by Mustafa Kemal and his companions) fighting for existence and the Allied Powers (and the Greeks they employed) who wished to divide historic Turkish lands among themselves. This is accompanied by the relentless struggle against the corrupt Ottoman Palace, which collaborated with the enemy to save its own crown and life, and the internal rebellions it instigated.
The remnants of the disintegrating Ottoman Empire, occupied by the Allied Powers; Istanbul under the Sultan's captivity, and Anatolia, where the resistance was ignited (Samsun, Amasya, Erzurum, Sivas, Ankara, and the Western Front).
1919 - 1927 (The collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the War of Independence, and the early years of the Republic)
A heavy, revolutionary, solemn, and epic atmosphere where the national existence faces the danger of extinction; where betrayals, sacrifices, and heroism are intertwined; and military and political strategies are executed with breathtaking tension.
First-person singular. An authoritative narrative in which Mustafa Kemal Atatürk validates the unfolding process with countless official telegrams, documents, and logical arguments, sounding persuasive, stern, demanding, and possessed of leadership qualities.
Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation, and political power has been transferred from individuals to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Every inch of the homeland cannot be abandoned unless it is soaked with the blood of its citizens. No foreign mandate, protection, or personal monarchical delusion can be held above national independence. State affairs cannot be conducted by begging for mercy and justice.
A transition from centuries of absolute monarchy and a dogma-centered (caliphate) structure to a secular, modern nation-state guided by reason and science. A period of transition where ignorance and bigotry clash with patriotism and the belief in independence.
Characters are arranged at equal intervals on a circle; you can read the relationship type and dynamics by clicking on the lines.
Bir çizgiye tıklayarak ilişki detayını açın.
Mustafa Kemal has infinite trust in İsmet Paşa's military and diplomatic skills and absolute loyalty. During the Lausanne negotiations, İsmet Paşa, who fell out with the head of government Rauf Bey, had the full, unwavering support and authority of Mustafa Kemal behind him. There is both a superior-subordinate relationship and a strong consensus of ideas and a deep brotherhood between them.
Mustafa Kemal replying to the telegram sent by İsmet Paşa—who said 'You always arrive like al-Khidr in my darkest hours'—by saying 'I kiss your eyes, my brother.'
Although they initially set out together for the liberation of the homeland, deep ideological chasms formed during the stages of the declaration of the Republic and the implementation of reforms. Rauf Bey's emotional attachment to the caliphate and sultanate conflicted with Mustafa Kemal's radical enlightened vision. Mustafa Kemal accused him of misleading the nation and using religious dogmas as political weapons.
Mustafa Kemal accusing Rauf Bey of deceiving the public and of conservatism in response to Rauf Bey's implications in the assembly that the declaration of the Republic was a 'fait accompli by the irresponsible.'
The relationship between these two commanders, who shared a destiny since Erzurum, reaches a breaking point over political groupings within the Assembly and the separation of military and politics. Kâzım Karabekir's desire for commanders to have a say in civil revolution decisions conflicted with Mustafa Kemal's ideal of a democratic and secular nation-state. A relationship based on respect gives way to serious mistrust.
Kâzım Karabekir saying 'they did not ask us' regarding the declaration of the Republic and Mustafa Kemal criticizing him for using the army as a tool for politics.
There is no point of reconciliation between Mustafa Kemal, who dedicated himself to the liberation of the homeland, and Damat Ferit Paşa, who betrayed the Turkish nation by collaborating with British imperialism to save his seat. Mustafa Kemal views this government as a hub of treason and makes it his primary goal to topple it with the power of the people.
Mustafa Kemal imposing the condition 'do not drag the country into an abyss like Damat Ferit Paşa' upon newly formed governments after toppling the Damat Ferit cabinet.
Ethem, initially a useful militia commander against the Greek occupation and internal uprisings, eventually transforms into a rogue warlord. He acts out with petulance and insubordination by refusing to enter under the command of the regular army. Against this attitude, which does not recognize discipline, he is relentlessly crushed by Mustafa Kemal's orders and is forced to take refuge with the enemy.
Çerkez Ethem's insolent telegrams to the Assembly directly, refusing to recognize İsmet Paşa's command, and Mustafa Kemal's order to the armies to crush him.
During the Lausanne Conference, the fact that İsmet Paşa was the chief representative while Rauf Bey held the position of Prime Minister created a diplomatic deadlock between the two. Rauf Bey was uneasy that İsmet Paşa did not consult him during the decision-making processes and attempted to accuse him of incompetence; however, Mustafa Kemal fully threw his weight behind İsmet Paşa in this conflict.
Rauf Bey's persistent veto regarding the acquisition of Karaağaç in exchange for Greek reparations during the Lausanne negotiations, and İsmet Paşa bypassing him to obtain approval directly from Mustafa Kemal.
Mustafa Kemal stood firmly against Tevfik Paşa’s attempts to regain control of Anatolia on behalf of the Istanbul Government. Although a respectful language was used, Mustafa Kemal repeatedly and bluntly told Tevfik Paşa that the sole representative of the Turkish nation was Ankara and that the structure in Istanbul was nothing more than a 'puppet'.
Mustafa Kemal's firm rejection of Tevfik Paşa’s proposal to attend the London Conference together, by stating, 'You step aside, the only legitimate government is Ankara.'
Ali Fuat Paşa, an important commander in the early stages of the War of Independence, lost his authority on the front after the failure at the Battle of Gediz. Mustafa Kemal persuaded him to accept an appointment as Ambassador to Moscow. In later years, he would participate in the opposition against the rapid declaration of the Republic, alongside Rauf Bey and Karabekir.
Following the failure of the Gediz offensive, Mustafa Kemal personally going to the front to examine the situation and subsequently appointing Ali Fuat Paşa as Ambassador to Moscow.
Mustafa Kemal was angered by Bekir Sami Bey, who had been sent to Europe as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, for making secret agreements with imperialist states independent of Ankara’s principles of national independence. Mustafa Kemal, who never compromised on the principle of independence, immediately canceled these agreements and forced Bekir Sami Bey to resign from his post.
The process by which the economic concessions and prisoner exchange agreements signed by Bekir Sami Bey in London were deemed contrary to the Misak-ı Milli (National Pact) and subsequently rejected by the Parliament.
Mustafa Kemal found Refet Paşa’s military capabilities to be insufficient or hesitant at certain stages. In particular, his inaction during his front commands and his later support for Rauf Bey’s pro-caliphate policies led Mustafa Kemal to consider him a politically dangerous and weak figure.
During the Battle of Aslıhanlar, Refet Paşa failing to take action with his cavalry despite commanders awaiting support, and Mustafa Kemal's vocal indignation regarding this situation.
