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RAILWAYS

« Within the scope of the projects determined by the Turkish government, all regions of the country will be connected to each other with steel rails within certain times. The railways are a more important safety weapon of the country than a rifle and a ball. The Turkish nation, which will use the railways, will be proud to have shown the work of blacksmithing, the first craftsmanship in its source. Railways are the ways of prosperity and civilization of the Turkish nation. »

13.02.1931, A Speech in Malatya.

« The opportunity to personally see the implementation of the first national enterprise in railway construction is a happy coincidence for me. Considering that our country has been corrupt for centuries and the need for a railway is considered, it is perfectly understandable how much it will be necessary to appreciate and help those who are entrepreneurs in this regard... »

21.09.1924, Groundbreaking Ceremony of Samsun-Çeşamba Railway, Made with Private Initiative.

« It is difficult to disseminate today's tools and even today's ideas of civilization, except for the railway. The railway is the way of prosperity and civilization… »

01.11.1924, When the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Opens the 2nd Term 2nd Meeting Year.

« Railways are a sacred torch that illuminates a country with the lights of civilization and prosperity. Since the first years of the Republic, the railway construction policy, which we have been focusing on carefully and persistently, has been applied with success in order to achieve its goals. »

01.11.1937, As the 5th Term of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Opens the 3rd Meeting Year.

DEMOCRACY

« Today, the idea of ​​democracy resembles an ever-rising sea. The 20th century has seen many oppressive governments drown in this sea. »

(1930)

SAILOR

“We care about naval weapons. It is our great ambition that our sailors are well-armed and well-trained. »

01.11.1936, While Opening the 5th Term 2nd Meeting of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

MARINE

« Türkiye, in the most beautiful geographical condition and surrounded by seas on three sides; With its industry, trade and sports, it is capable of raising the most advanced maritime nation. We should know how to take advantage of this ability; We should think of maritime as the great national ideal of the Turks and achieve it in a short time. »

01. 11. 1937, When the 5th Term of the TGNA opens its 3rd Convening Year.

STATISM

« …One of the important goals of our economic policy is to nationalize institutions and economic enterprises that will directly concern our general interests, to the extent that our financial and scientific power allows. In this sense, it is also possible to operate the mineral treasures that are abandoned under our land in a short time and to keep them open for the benefit of our nation… »

01. 03. 1922, When the Turkish Grand National Assembly Opens its 3rd Convening Year.

« …The program followed by our party is, in a way, a completely democratic and popular program, but it is economically statist. In this respect, it is natural for the republican government, which is based on our party, to be concerned with the life, future and welfare of its citizens in all respects. Our people are statist in nature, and they see it as their right to ask for all kinds of needs from the state… »

27.01.1931, Speech at the Party Congress in Izmir.

THE LAW OF REVOLUTION

“The law of the revolution is above the existing laws. Unless it kills us and stifles the current in our heads, the revolution and innovation we started will not stop for a moment. This will be the case in the future as well. »

(1923)

« A devastated country on the edge of the abyss… Bloody struggles with various enemies… The war that lasted for years… After that, the new homeland, new society, new state recognized with respect both inside and outside, and incessant revolutions to achieve them… Here is a brief statement of the Turkish general revolution. »

(1935)

EXTERNAL PAYABLES

“…Our government, like every civilized state, has to make foreign borrowings. To the extent that we are not compelled to repay borrowed foreign currency as the Porte did until now, we are firmly opposed to jeopardizing our financial independence by increasing the burden of our debts through unintentional waste and use. We are in favor of beneficial borrowings that will ensure progress, production, and welfare of the people, and develop our sources of wealth in the country. »

01.03.1922, When the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Opens its 3rd Convening Year.

FOREIGN POLICY

« …Foreign policy must be based on the internal organization and domestic policy, that is, it must not be so large that the internal organization cannot tolerate it. Otherwise, those who pursue imaginary foreign policies will lose their foothold… »

17.02.1923, Opening Speech of the Izmir Economics Congress.

« …Foreign policy is closely related to the internal structure of a society. Because foreign policies that are not based on their internal structure are always condemned… »

23.03.1923, Conversation with Afyonkarahisar Municipality Council Members

« Our honest and open policy in foreign affairs is based on the idea of ​​peace. Seeking to settle any of our international issues through peace is a way that fits our interests and understanding. »

(1929)

DICTATORSHIP

“I am not a dictator. They say you are my strength; yes that is true. There is nothing that I desire and cannot do. Because I don't know how to act forcefully and ruthlessly. I think a dictator is one who subjugates others to his will. I want to rule not by breaking hearts, but by winning hearts. »

Statement to Gladys Baker, 21.06.1935.

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« ... Our religion has never demanded that women lag behind men. What Allah commands is for Muslim men and Muslim women to gain science and knowledge together… »

31.01.1923, Speaking to the Public in Izmir.

“…Our religion is the most reasonable and natural religion. And that's why, it has became the last religion. For a religion to be natural, it must comply with reason, science, science and logic. Our religion is completely appropriate to them. »

31.01.1923 Conversation with the Public in Izmir.

" …Religion is the last religion which gave people the enlightened spirit. It is a complete religion. Because our religion completely complies with reason, logic, and truth, and it fits.… »

07.02.1923, Public Speaking in Balıkesir.

« Our religion does not advise our nation to be worthless, lazy and inferior. On the contrary, both Allah and the Prophet order people and nations to protect their values ​​and honor. »

05.02.1923 Speech in Akhisar.

« I mean the Turkish nation should be more religious, that is, they should be religious in all their simplicity. I believe in my religion, in the same way I believe in the truth… »

29.10.1923, Statement to French Correspondent Maurice Pernot.

“Respecting religious ideas and beliefs has always been a natural and general understanding. There is no reason to think otherwise. »

11.12.1924, Reply to the Times Correspondent.

“Religion is a matter of conscience. Everyone is free to obey the orders of conscience. We respect religion. Thought and thinking are not dissidents. We only try not to confuse religious affairs with national and state affairs, and avoid fanatical actions based on intent and deed. »

(1925)

ATHEISM

« …I think that anyone who says they are irreligious must be religious. It is impossible for a person to be irreligious… » There is no one without religion. In this generalization, it does not mean this religion or this religion. Naturally, we know that the religion we have entered is the most accurate and mature, and we also have faith… »

02.02.1923, İzmir, Speech on the Future of Turkey.

NAVY

« The navy of the Turkish state, whose borders are important and large parts of the sea, must also be important and large. Then the Turkish Republic will be more comfortable and confident. »

(1924)

ENEMY

« …Our enemies are those who want to create a current of opinion against us in Europe by frightening foreigners from the consequences of the new situation in our country…»

02.11.1922, Statement given to Le Petit Parisien Correspondent in Bursa.

« Mercy to the enemy is weakness and weakness… »

16.03.1923, Conversation with Adana Farmers.

“We are nobody's enemy. We are only enemies of those who are enemies of humanity.”

(1936)

Source: Türk Kültürünü ve Tarihini Yaşatma Derneği. Daniel Dumoulin - Ali Kaman - Ece Develi - Hüseyin Develi