Mustafa Kemal Ataturk: “Then, trying to maintain of Ottoman State and it’s descendants is to make biggest evilness against the Turkish nation.”

The lands of Anatoia view before May 19, 1919

“I’ve landed on Samsun on the May 19th day of 1919. General situation and outlook: The allies of the Ottoman Empire defeated in Great War, each side of the Ottoman army was damaged, with the heavy conditions “Armistice Agreement” was signed. Over many years of Great War, nation has been tired and poor condition. Who dragged the nation into Great War, they fallen into the concerns of their benefit and they have fled from the country. Vahdettin who is sultan and caliph had been corrupt, he has been seeking for himself and nefarious ways that for only throne could be maintained. Istanbul government of Damat Ferid Pasha headed was weak, dishonorable, cowardly, only they complied with the sultan’s request and buckled under any condition that would protect themselves with him.

The weapons and ammunition were taken from the hands of army and still are being taken.

Entente states, they don’t consider it neccessary to abide by the decisions of Armistice Agreement. With the falsification reasons, the navies and troops of Entente States are in Istanbul. French had entered the city of Adana, British had entered the cities of Urfa, Maras, Antep. Italian troops in Konya and Antalya, British soldiers in Merzifon and Samsun. Officers and special agents of foreign states are working on each side. Then, for days before we recieved our initial promise, 15 May, 1919, with the approval of Entente States Greeks Army is landed on Izmir.

Furthermore, the Christian minorities in the entire country are trying to crash of the state to obtain the hidden, open, specific needs and objectives a moment ago.

The nation which wasn’t aware that they remained without leader, is waiting to the things to come into the darkness and uncertainty. Those who begun to understand the disaster and weight of the horror, they make every effort that they accepted as the remedy of liberation within the framework of their strenght which is effected by the events and environment.

The nation and the army as well as they are unaware of the treason of the sultan and the caliphate, they connect internally to the authorities who has got these titles with the ties of religion and tradition which have been ingrained for centruies and they are docile… They are not able to grasp the meaning of liberation without sultan and caliph. Those who will reveal their thoughts and views which are incompatible with the nation beliefs, unfortunatelly they would be irreligious, stateless, unwelcome…

In fact, at those days we were in, the foundations of Ottoman Empire had collapsed and its existence had ended. The Ottoman Empire was disintegrated completely. In the middle, there was only an ancestor homeland where a handful Turks lived. At last, the colonialists were trying to ensure for sharing of these lands. Ottoman Empire and it’s independence, sultan, caliph, Istanbul government; all of these were the meaningless words and out of concept. What kind of help is thought to ask from whom for who’s immunity and what? In that case, what could be solid and real decision? Gentlemen, there was only one decision in front of this situation. This is to establish a new independent Turkish State which is based on national sovereignty as unconditional.

Here, it has been decision which we thought before leaving Istanbul and we started to implement no sooner than we did set foot in Samsun, Anatolia.

The logic and steady thought which were based on this decision: The basic principle is that the Turkish nation needs to live as dignified and honorable nation. This can only be achieved with completely independence. No matter how rich and prosperous, a nation which is devoid of independence, can not save itself from being servant in front of civilized humanity. To ask the protection of foreign state is nothing else to reveal the deprivation of human nature, weakness and incompetence. It can be never considered that those who didn’t fall into this inferiority situation will bring the foreign management willingly. However, Turk’s honor and capabilities is very high. Such a nation, rather than live as prisoners, its destroying is much better. If so, Independence or Death! That will be the watchword for those who want the real salvation. For a moment, let’s assume that has experienced the failure about the implementation of this decision. What would happen? Captivity. Well, will not the same result emerge with abiding by the other decisions?

With this difference; a nation which has risked own life for independence is divert itself with thinking that it has made the every sacrifice which should be for human dignity and honor. And of course, if they are compared with disgrace nation which wears the captivity chain to own neck by own hand, they will be in an another place at the eyes of friends and enemies. Then, trying to maintain of Ottoman State and it’s descendants is to make biggest evilness against the Turkish nation. How a lot of insane people(*) who hadn’t conscience and thought connect anymore with public and country can be seen appropriate for the protection of honor and independence of the public and country?

I want to say my last words particulary to the youth of our country.

The young ones!

You are the ones who increase our courage and continue. You will be the most valuable example of the idea of freedom, human virtue, loving of country and people with the decency and wisdom that you took in.

The rising new generation! The future is yours. We have established Republic. You are the ones who will keep it alive and make it valuable.”

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(*)Ataturk mentions about Sultans and Istanbul government, while he is saying a lot of insane people

These are Ataturk’s words from Nutuk (about 620 pages). Today the anniversary of May 19, 1919. This day is the day a public awakening. This day is anniversary day in Turkey every year, as Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.

Mustafa Kemal presenting the Nutuk at the Assembly, 1927.

Background (Calligraphy): Hakimiyet Milletindir means “Sovereignty Belongs to the Nation”

The Nutuk (Modern Turkish: Söylev; Speech) was a speech delivered by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk from 15 to 20 October 1927, at the second congress of Republican People’s Party. The speech covered the events between the start of the Turkish War of Independence on May 19, 1919, and the foundation of the Republic of Turkey, in 1923. It is an important source for the study of Kemalism. It took thirty-six hours (on a 6 day span) to be read by Atatürk. Scholars have since identified the Speech as the foundation and model followed by Turkish historians for the official historiography of the Turkish Republic.

this is quoted from wikipedia

I’ve tried best I can as always for the translation. I never find the translations about Turkish historians researches or the translation such as Nutuk or Independence War of Turkey. Turks are very lazy about this subject. Turks do not make enough effort about telling themselves to the world public. Turks are closed society. And they expect to be understood by world public without telling them truths. That’s why, many wrong informations in the middle. And of course, I wished I could make copy and paste, it would be very easy for me 🙂 If there is more better translation of this text of Ataturk you can make comment and thus, I can correct my wrongs.