Home > World War I > Mustafa Atatürk Kemal Biography

1881
Salonika, in the Ottoman Empire
November 10, 1938
Istanbul, Turkey

Military leader, political leader, statesman

The name Atatürk means "Father of the Turks," and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk earned the title by devoting his life to making positive changes in his native land. Often called the founder of modern Turkey, Atatürk was a great general who defeated invading armies and led a revolution to gain independence for Turkey. He also was a great visionary who understood the kinds of changes that would be necessary for Turkey to join the new Europe that would emerge after World War I. As president of Turkey for fifteen years, Atatürk introduced many changes and reforms in Turkish law and society. Though some Turks resisted these changes to their traditions, Atatürk is still honored in Turkey as a great hero.

Poverty and Struggle at the End of an Empire