Celal Şengör on Atatürk's Leadership and the Proclamation of the Republic

Atatürk repeatedly says, “The master of this nation is itself.

Sovereignty belongs to the nation.” itself. Sovereignty belongs to the nation.”

Does he put this into practice? No. He gives orders and has things done, but he gives those orders. and has things done, but he gives those orders.

He gets them passed by Parliament. Atatürk was very much a dictator, but such a dictator that everything he said was passed by Parliament and got the nation’s approval.

The Republic wasn’t something Parliament accepted with great enthusiasm, either.

He sits down with İsmet Pasha. “We’ll proclaim the republic tomorrow,” he says. He comes to Parliament.

“Our form of government is a republic. Those in favor, raise your hands,” he says.

Before they’ve even finished raising their hands, he says, “It has been accepted unanimously.”

Professor Doctor Celal Şengör said. Have a blessed Friday.