May 8, 2012
Updated August 22, 2023
Once the heart of the Ottoman Empire, the modern Republic of Turkey was founded in 1923 by nationalist leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Straddling the continents of Europe and Asia, Turkey’s strategic position gives it great influence in the region and controls the entrance to the Black Sea.
After Atatürk’s death in 1938, progress toward democracy and a market economy halted. The military saw itself as the guarantor of the constitution and repeatedly ousted governments in the second half of the 20th century.
Joining the European Union (EU) has been a long-standing goal. Accession negotiations began in 2005 but have stalled due to serious concerns about Turkey’s human rights record.
Kurds make up about a fifth of the population and separatists have been waging a guerilla war against Turkey since the 1980s, accusing the Turkish state of trying to destroy their cultural identity.
Republic of Türkiye/Türkiye: Facts
Capital: Ankara Area: 783,356 square kilometers Population: 84.7 million Languages: Turkish, Kurdish, Arabic, Zaza, Circassian, Laz Life expectancy: 74 years (male), 80 years (female)
leader
President: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Image source, Getty Images
He first became prime minister in 2003 after the Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP), of which he was a founding member, won a landslide victory in elections the previous year.
He served as Turkey’s prime minister for 11 years, probably in a ceremonial role, until becoming Turkey’s first directly elected president in August 2014.
To his supporters he has brought years of economic growth to Turkey, but to his critics he is an authoritarian leader who harshly silences those who oppose him and is intolerant of dissent.
In July 2016, the AKP government survived a coup attempt that left 256 people dead in clashes on the streets of Istanbul and Ankara.
Authorities later detained thousands of soldiers, judges, teachers and civil servants for their alleged involvement in the attempt, which Erdogan said was inspired by his exiled opponent Fethullah Gulen. said.
A referendum in April 2017 narrowly supported a move to a presidential system, significantly strengthening the president’s powers.
Image credit: Getty Images
Image caption: Turkey has a poor record on media freedom
Hundreds of private television and radio stations compete with the state-run TRT, but broadcasting and reporting are dominated by pro-government media outlets.
Critical media outlets face the risk of raids and fines. Most of the journalists arrested have been charged with membership in or propaganda for groups considered terrorist organizations.
With mainstream media largely off-limits, independent and opposition voices often rely on social media to share news and opinions.
However, authorities often impose strict restrictions on social media platforms, including blocking access entirely, in order to control information.
Timeline
Image source, Getty Images
image captionIstanbul’s iconic Bosphorus Bridge connects Asia and Europe
Important dates in Turkish history:
1453 – Sultan Mehmed II captures Constantinople, destroys the Byzantine Empire, and unites the Ottoman Empire in Asia Minor and the Balkans.
15th-16th century – The Ottoman Empire expands into Asia and Africa.
16th-17th Centuries – The power and prestige of the Ottoman Empire reached its peak during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566), who personally enacted major legal reforms, especially regarding social, educational, tax, and criminal law.
During this period, the Ottoman Empire often came into conflict with the Holy Roman Empire, which was advancing into central Europe through the Balkans and southern Poland-Lithuania.
1538, 1571, 1684, 1717 – The Ottoman navy controlled several Holy League territories, mainly Habsburg Spain, Genoa, Venice, the Knights of Malta, the Papal States, Tuscany, and Savoy, and the Mediterranean. We fought for rights.
1683-99 – Great Turkish War between the Ottoman Empire and the Holy Alliance. It began with the siege of Vienna by the Ottoman Empire in 1683, which was defeated by a relief force led by Hunyadi Jan of the Polish-Lithuanian Republic.
16th to 18th centuries – The Ottoman Empire was at frequent wars with Safavid Persia. In Iran, the Zand, Afshar, and Qajar dynasties succeeded the Safavids, and wars between the Ottoman Empire and Persia continued until the first half of the 19th century.
16th to 20th Centuries – Russo-Turkish War: A series of 12 wars fought between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire. With the exception of the War of 1710-1711 and the Crimean War of 1853-1856, these end in the defeat of the Ottoman Empire.
1750s onwards – The Ottoman Empire begins to decline.
1839 – The Tanzimat Reforms aimed to modernize the Ottoman Empire in line with the advances of Western Europe.
1876 - These reforms led to a constitutional movement in the Ottoman Empire, but the reforms failed to stop the dissolution of the empire.
1908 – The Young Turk Revolution saw Sultan Abdulhamid II restore the Ottoman Constitution of 1876, convene a parliament, and begin multiparty politics.
1912-1913 – First Balkan War: The loss of Rumelia, an Ottoman territory in Europe, caused millions of Muslim refugees to arrive in Istanbul, shocking the nation.
1913 – Ottoman Coup: Members of the Committee for Unity and Progress (CUP) raid the Ottoman central government building and seize power following defeat.
During the Second Balkan War in 1913, Ottoman forces recaptured Edirne and surrounding areas in eastern Thrace.
1914-1918 – During World War I, Turkey became a de facto military dictatorship, with the Ottoman Empire fighting in alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary.
1915-1917 – Between 300,000 and 1.5 million Armenians were massacred and expelled from their homeland in Anatolia to what is now Syria by the Ottoman government. Armenia and many historians consider the killings to be an act of genocide. Turkey denies that the Armenian casualties amount to genocide, arguing that the killings occurred on both sides. The subject remains very sensitive.
1918-22 – The partition of the defeated Ottoman Empire led to the final victory of the Turkish national movement in the war of independence against foreign occupation and sultan rule.
1923 – Turkey becomes a republic and war hero Mustafa Kemal becomes president. Kemal later adopts the title “Atatürk,” or Turkish leader, and embarks on a modernization project that includes reforming the civil code and enshrining secularism in the constitution.
1939-1945 – Turkey remained neutral for most of World War II. It declared war on Germany and Japan in February 1945, but did not participate in any combat. Joined the United Nations.
1950 – The first free elections in Turkey are held, and the opposition Democratic Party wins. Adnan Menderes became prime minister and took steps to liberalize the economy and steer the country in a pro-American direction during the early days of the Cold War.
1952 – Turkey joins NATO.
1960 – Military coup against the ruling Democratic Party.
1963 – The Association Agreement with the European Economic Community (EEC), now the EU, is signed.
1974 – Turkish forces occupy northern Cyprus and divide the island.
1980 – Political deadlock and civil war followed by a military coup. Invocation of martial law.
1984 – The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) launches a separatist guerrilla campaign, leading to a major civil war that simmers for decades.
1987 – Turkey applies for full membership in the EEC.
2002 – The Islamist-based Justice and Development Party (AKP) wins an overwhelming election victory. The party is committed to upholding the secular principles of the constitution.
2003 – AKP leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wins a parliamentary seat. Within days, Abdullah Gul will resign as prime minister and Erdogan will take over as prime minister.
2011 – The Syrian civil war erupts, creating tensions along the border and causing a large influx of refugees into Turkey.
2014 – Prime Minister Erdoğan wins the first direct universal presidential election.
2016 – Coup attempt failed. Authorities have detained thousands of soldiers and judges on suspicion of involvement.
2017 – The transition to a presidential system is approved by referendum.
2022 – The United Nations agrees to request that Ankara officially call the country “Turkey.”
2023 – President Erdoğan wins another five-year term and his ruling coalition gains a majority in parliament.
Image credit: Getty Images
image captionBelievers pray inside Istanbul’s Blue Mosque
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