Atatürk's Impact on the World
I feel helpless even when I think about how to explain Mustafa Kemal Atatürk because we cannot express it with words. I will share what world leaders and prominent figures said about Ataturk.
Franklin ROOSEVELT (US president)
My sadness is that my intense desire to meet this man is no longer possible.
John F. KENNEDY (US president)
Atatürk reminds us of the historical achievements of one of the great men of this century, his inspiring leadership to the Turkish people, his far-sighted understanding of the modern world, and his power and high courage as a military leader... The birth of a free Turkey from a collapsed empire ensures the freedom and independence of the new Turkey. It is Ataturk's job to honorably declare and protect the Turkish people ever since. Undoubtedly, there is no example that demonstrates a mass's trust in him more successfully than the deep and broad reforms he initiated in Turkey.
Chicago Tribune Newspaper, USA
One of the most remarkable men in history has passed from the world stage.
Aristide Briand, French Prime Minister, 1921
Due to the signing of the Ankara Treaty with the New Turkish State; The answer given by the French Prime Minister in the Parliament to those who said 'He shot us from behind, he made an agreement with the bandits on the mountain, Mustafa Kemal': 'If the hero Mustafa Kemal and all his soldiers, whom you call the bandits on the mountain, were here, we would erect statues of all of them, one by one. 'I am proud to sign such a heroic agreement.'
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, Leader of the Russian Revolution, 1921
Mustafa Kemal was not a socialist. But it seems that he is a good organizer, highly understanding, progressive, well-thought-out and intelligent leader. He is waging a war of liberation against robbers. I believe that he will break the pride of the imperialists and defeat the Sultan along with his wounds.
Roozwelt (Franklen D.) 1928, US President
While meeting with Soviet Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Litvinov, I asked him who, in his opinion, was the most valuable and remarkable statesman in all of Europe. He told me that the most valuable statesman in Europe was Turkish President Mustafa Kemal.
New York Times
One of the most talented leaders of the post-war era.
Sir Charles Townshend, British General, 1922
I have had private and official conversations with fifteen rulers and presidents so far. I don't remember being as crushed as I was tonight. There is a mystery of great spiritual power in Mustafa Kemal.
Eleftherios Venizelos, Prime Minister of Greece, 1933
Rarely does such a radical change occur in the life of a nation in such a short period of time... Those who performed these extraordinary deeds have undoubtedly qualified as great men in the truest sense of the word. And for this Türkiye can be proud.
Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister, 1938
The death of Atatürk, who saved Turkey during the war and resurrected the Turkish Nation after the war, is the greatest loss not only for his country but also for Europe. The sincere tears shed by all classes of people after him are nothing but a worthy manifestation of this great hero and the Father of modern Turkey.
Prof.Walter L.WRIHT Jr., German prof.
He was not a simple dictator pursuing personal gain and fame, but a hero striving to lay solid foundations for future generations.
Austrian Sculptor KRIPPEL
Ataturk is such a person that he is not imaginary. He knows what he wants, he does what he knows, and he doesn't want anything he can't do.
Ma Shao-Cheng(Author), China
Mustafa Kemal is the heart of the new Turkey. He created a brand new, powerful nation from an old, worn-out society, made himself respected by everyone with his unique personality, and made everyone believe in him with his energy.
Gladys Baker(Journalist), USA
He has an extraordinary leadership power that makes people surrender. He is alert, quick-witted, and remarkably intelligent.
Professor Herbert MELZIG(Historian)
Those who want to re-establish peace and well-being in the suffering world and ensure not only the material but also the spiritual development of humanity should take example and strength from Atatürk's faith-giving and guiding guidance.
Illustrierte Magazine, Germany
His historical greatness can be measured today by looking at his creation, the new Turkey. This true public leader and statesman, whose steel-like determination and effort are combined with far-seeing intelligence and wisdom; It has instilled a different spirit even in the villages in the farthest and most deserted corners of the Anatolian mountains.
Maurice BAUMANT(Professor)
France While the old Ottoman Empire disappeared like a dream, the establishment of a national Turkish State is one of the most surprising achievements of this age. Mustafa Kemal produced a sublime work. Atatürk's brilliant success became an example for all colonies.
Claude Farrer(Author), France
The skill and character of this great man before me, this great unknown that I discovered, were so well crafted that there could be no doubt in his words.
Albert LEBRUN, President of France
His work, carried out with intelligent and peaceful methods, will leave its mark on the history of the people.
George BENNES, Vu Newspaper-1938
I would like to remind you of a point to show one aspect of Kemal Atatürk's character. He was telling us about one of his battles. Suddenly he stopped and said: "You see, I have won many victories." But even after the biggest of these, I feel deep sorrow every evening, thinking about all the soldiers who died on the battlefields. Can it be surprising that such a Chief, who has such a great heart, apart from his courage and intelligence, has created miracles for his country?...
Raymond CARTIER, Le Nouvelliste Newspaper High figures of the period had declared in books and conferences that Turkey would never change and would die without changing. However, he changed before he died. Both the root and changed utterly. Beliefs, traditions, methods were destroyed. They expelled the last debris from the country, such as foreign battleships and capitulations. Türkiye had changed its soul. Completely and as far as it is possible to imagine...
Observer, UK
In our age, no name has created as much respect as the name of Atatürk.
Sunday Times, England
England salutes the great man whom she has known first as a brave and true enemy, and then as a loyal friend.
Times Newspaper, England
He provided a life full of freedom and security that was not available to any of Turkey's previous generations. Their success enabled Turkey to become a European state and changed the history of the Near East.
Herbert Sideabotham(author), England
Ataturk is a leader who thinks fresher and more courageously, as he has not tired his mind in vain with outdated sciences. Atatürk, for whom we can say that he is the most powerful statesman in Europe today, is undoubtedly the most courageous and original of statesmen.
National Tidence Newspaper, Denmark
Ataturk was a giant symbol of personality and talent. He was the man who created the greatest event of the twentieth century.
Sucheta KRIPALANI, Chairman of the Indian Parliamentary Delegation
Ataturk was the leader not only of the Turkish Nation, but of all nations fighting for freedom. Under his directives, you gained your independence. We also walked that way to met our freedom.
Ben Gurion, Prime Minister of Israel (1963)
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was undoubtedly one of the greatest statesmen of the 20th century before the World War, a brave and great revolutionary that no other nation had the chance to do.
Nya Dagligt, Sweden
Without him, modern Türkiye would not exist. Thanks to him, Turks will be able to follow his extraordinary work and increase their already high honor in the world.
C.C.SFORZA, Italy
The personality of the victorious commander at the head of the state, which he established with the absolute trust of his nation until the end of his life, is an example of an unprecedented character.
Japanese Times, Japan
An amazing and attractive person. Great as a soldier, but as a statesman greater.
Soviet Premier Kalinin, Russia
The administration of the experienced president, whose fame has spread all over the world, has strengthened the national independence of the great Turkish Nation, which attracts the love and respect of everyone, with continuous success and created its new national structure.
Adolf Hitler, Führer and Chancellor of Germany, 20 April 1938
What he said in his meeting with a delegation of Turkish politicians and journalists. Türkiye was our ally in World War II. As a result of our misfortune in the war, Türkiye also suffered a lot like us. The great and intelligent leader, the founder of Young Turkey, was the first and wonderful example of the efforts of the allies, who suffered terribly and were abandoned to their fate, to get back on their feet. While Turkey managed to preserve its independence with the rational moves of its government, Yugoslavia became the victim of British intrigues.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is a great leader who went down in history as the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey. His leadership and vision are of great value to the Turkish nation. Here is an article explaining how valuable Ataturk is to us: Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, is not only a leader, but also a great leader and revolutionary. His leadership symbolizes the beginning of a historical era for the Turkish nation. Ataturk lived a life full of independence struggle and made great efforts to raise the Turkish nation to the level of modern civilizations.
Understanding Ataturk's importance requires focusing not only on his military victories but also on the revolutions that laid the foundations of modern Turkey. The declaration of the Republic, the abolition of the caliphate, the importance given to women's rights, and the revolutions in education and culture are reflections of the revolutions led by Ataturk in Turkey's transformation into a modern nation state.
Ataturk was not only a political leader but also a thinker. He ensured the integration of the Turkish nation with contemporary civilizations by emphasizing the importance of science, art, culture and education. In this context, the reforms made in the language and alphabet have strengthened the unity and solidarity of the Turkish nation.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is a leader who taught us how valuable national independence is. He prioritized the will of the nation and brought the Turkish people together in their struggle for independence and freedom. The principle of secularism, the rule of law and the understanding of democracy, which are among the fundamental values of the Republic of Turkey, originate from the path followed by Atatürk.
Today, Turkey's level of development and international prestige are a result of Ataturk's leadership and vision. His legacy is the foundation of not just an era, but of continuous progress. Ataturk's ideas and values continue to be a guide for future generations.
Commemorating Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk does not only mean opening a page of history, but also keeping his principles alive and protecting the fundamental values of contemporary Turkey. His leadership is of infinite value to the Turkish nation and remains the pillar of the Republic of Turkey.
There is a lot to say, but let's finish with the words of the British General. I have had private and official conversations with fifteen rulers and presidents so far. I don't remember being as crushed as I was tonight. There is a mystery of great spiritual power in Mustafa Kemal.
