What is The Founding of the Republic of Türkiye?

The Republic of Türkiye emerged through wars, occupations, and political change in the final years of the Ottoman Empire. It was proclaimed on 29 October 1923, one stage in a broader struggle.

The National Struggle and a new assembly

After World War I, occupation and plans to partition Ottoman lands strengthened resistance movements in Anatolia. Mustafa Kemal Pasha’s arrival in Samsun on 19 May 1919 is a key marker in national narratives, but local resistance and other political actors were also part of the process. The Grand National Assembly opened in Ankara on 23 April 1920, creating a new political center. The War of Independence involved diplomacy, resource mobilization, and parliamentary politics as well as military fronts. The Treaty of Lausanne, signed on 24 July 1923, was central to the new state’s international position and borders.

Proclamation and later transformations

On 29 October 1923, the republic was proclaimed and Mustafa Kemal was elected its first president. The new state’s institutions, legal system, education, and social life underwent further changes that affected communities differently. Treating the Ottoman-to-republic transition as a complete break on one day overlooks continuing institutions and a long struggle. Decisions in the founding period also need to be understood within wartime, diplomatic, and social conditions. Historical study compares official documents, parliamentary records, local experiences, and diverse testimony to build a layered account.