The Fall of the Turkish Empire

During the ninetieth century, the Turkish Empire grew steadily weaker. Already by 1899 Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Tripoli, and Egypt, all countries on the southern shores of the Mediterranean, had become practically independent of the Sultan of Turkey. By 1814 they had all become dependencies of France, Italy, Britain or Spain. The Turkish power had been similarly weakened in Europe, for revolts by the Balkan people had driven the Turks back nearly to the Dardanelles’

 Yet in spite of the weakness of the Turkish Empire there was a real feeling of unity among the Mohammedans who belonged, or had belonged, to it. The sultan at Constantinople was also the Caliph, the head of their religious and the successor of the prophet, and their felling of religious unity under his headship was far more powerfully than their loyalty to the political rulers.

The first World War led to the abolition of the Caliphate and to the rise of a strong feeling of nationalism in the various countries into which the old Empire had divided. During the war, Turkey had fought on the side of Germany, while most of her Arab subjects in Asia fought on the side of the Allies. Then, after Turkeys defeat, the Turks themselves revolted against the Sultan.

Their leader was Mustapha Kemal, a soldier who had fought with great bravery during the war. The Sultan was overthrown, Turkey became a Republic (1923) with Mustapha Kemal as its first President, and in 1924 the Caliphate was abolished. After that time Turkey was ruled by a dictator who used his power of free the Turks from the influence of the Mohammedan religion.

He ordered the abolition of the religious communities and of religious teaching in school. He had the Koran translated into Turkish. He also brought in many European customs. Women were given complete education and political equal with men; European law was followed in place of that of Islam, and Roman writing used in place of Arabic.

By these change Mustapha Kemal aimed at lessening in Turkey the influence of Islam and at making her a strong nationality state of the type common in Europe. The Turkish government became strong and able. Many of the change were not liked, especially by the older people, and there were several revolts, but these were easily put down.