Transformers: How Atatürk rebuilt Turkey from Ottoman collapse

Atatürk led Turkey on a radical departure from its Ottoman roots. He dismantled the sultanate and the caliphate, severing ties with centuries of religious rule. His vision for a modern, secular, nationalist Turkey was crystal clear. He replaced Islamic law with European civil codes, switched the script from Arabic to Latin, and made education and science national priorities. These sweeping reforms rebuilt Turkey from its ruins, restoring its strength and independence, and securing Atatürk’s place as the father of modern Turkey.

Born in 1881, Atatürk’s journey was different from the very beginning. Unlike many in his time who attended religious schools, his father chose a secular path for him before he switched to military schools, where he excelled. By age 25, he had received over a decade of military training, mastering mathematics, science, and technology. His brilliance in class earned him the nickname “Kemal,” meaning “the perfect one.” He learned French and became fluent, this exposed him to Western thought, which he came to admire. He was an avid reader and is said to have read about 4,000 books. He ended up believing that traditional Islamic traditions made Turkey poorly positioned to compete in a rapidly modernising world. This realisation later drove the creation of his visionary reforms, now known as Kemalism.

Atatürk rose to power through his military prowess in WW1, where his strategic brilliance earned him widespread recognition. After the war, as the Ottoman Empire collapsed and foreign powers sought to carve up its territories, Atatürk led the Turkish War of Independence, rallying nationalistic forces to defend the country from further disintegration. After securing military victory, Atatürk took decisive political action in 1922 by abolishing the Sultanate, ending centuries of Ottoman rule, proclaiming the Republic of Turkey in 1923, marking the beginning of a new era focused on secularism, nationalism, and modernisation, and later dismantling the Caliphate in 1924, severing Turkey’s official connection to Islamic governance.

Atatürk’s transformation of Turkey was anchored in six core principles known as the “Six Arrows” of Kemalism. These principles guided his vision for a modern nation. The first arrow, republicanism, replaced the monarchy with a republic, ensuring power resided with the people. The second, populism, promoted broad public participation in political life, fostering equality among citizens. The third, nationalism, emphasised Turkish unity and identity, rejecting the divisive policies of the Ottoman Empire. The fourth, laicism, separated religion from the state, creating a secular society. The fifth arrow, revolutionism, stressed the need for continuous progress and modernisation. Finally, the sixth, statism, advocated for a central role of the state in guiding economic development. These six principles formed the foundation of Atatürk’s reforms and shaped modern Turkey.

After solidifying political and social reforms, Atatürk shifted his focus to modernising Turkey’s economy. Initially embracing a liberal market system and drawing in foreign investment, Turkey experienced rapid growth. However, the global depression of 1929 forced a shift toward greater government intervention. The state took charge of key industries like textiles, steel, and ceramics, driving economic progress. From 1933 until he died in November 1938, Turkey’s economy soared with a remarkable 9.1 percent growth rate. By the outbreak of World War 2, the country had achieved significant self-reliance, producing most of its consumer and industrial goods.

Turkey’s transformation was a textbook example of effective leadership. Atatürk, a visionary leader, sought power not for personal gain but as a tool to achieve something far greater: the prosperity of his people and the strength of his nation. His mission was to uplift Turkey and earn international respect. As Atatürk himself put it, “Greatness lies in choosing only what is essential for the welfare of the country.” His leadership was defined by purpose, national advancement, and a legacy that reshaped Turkey’s future.

To be transformative, a leader must be a patriot: all these wishy-washy individuals we elevate to positions of leadership will be our ruin. He must be a pragmatist: a leader cannot pursue the narrow interests of his tribe, faith, or political party and transform a nation. He must be action-oriented: leadership is a game of producing results. He must know proven principles: there is no time to reinvent the wheel. Market economics work. The rule of law works. Secularism works. Imitating those who have succeeded, just as Atatürk did, even if you don’t like them, works.

Where is the mystery in that?