The Historical and Future Importance of Turkey

Without a doubt, Turkey, now known as Turkiye, has affected world history more times than history books can talk about. The history of Turkey weaves together ancient civilisations, mighty empires, and cultural crossroads of the East and West. Each dynasty and society have left indelible marks on world history, shaping the traditions, architecture, and heritage that define present-day Turkey. In this article, we embark on journeys through time. From ancient ruins reflecting forgotten eras to cultural melting pots, the history of Turkey beckons everyone to tell its story.

The Colourful History of Turkey

In Brief- Why Is Turkey Famous in History?

• Location: Turkey's strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia has boosted global trade, cultural exchange, and political power throughout history.
• Ancient Civilisations: Turkey was home to ancient civilisations such as the Hittites, Phrygians, Greeks, and Romans.
• Old Constantinople: The Byzantine and Ottoman Empires' capital held immense cultural, political, and economic global importance.
• Ottoman Empire: Founded in the 13th century, they dominated Eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Europe.
• Conquest of Constantinople:  The fall of Constantinople had significant implications for Europe and the Islamic world and symbolised the Ottomans as powerful.
• Islamic Caliphate: The Ottomans claimed the caliphate, positioning itself as the successor to the Islamic caliphate. This religious and political authority granted the empire influence over the Muslim world.
• Modernisation and Secularisation: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's reforms in the early 20th century transformed Turkey into a secular, modern nation-state.
• Turkish War of Independence: Turkey's successful struggle for independence after World War I, led by Atatürk, was a milestone in Turkish history and a source of national pride.
• Role in World War I and World War II: Turkey's strategic position made the country an important player during both wars. Turkey remained neutral in World War II but became a NATO member, aligning itself with the Western bloc during the Cold War.

Historical Timeline of Empires that Have Ruled Turkey

• Hittite Empire (c. 17th century BCE - 12th century BCE): The Hittites established a mighty empire in central Anatolia during the Late Bronze Age.
• Neo-Assyrian Empire (934 BCE - 609 BCE): The Neo-Assyrians expanded their empire into parts of southeastern Anatolia, including Cappadocia.
• Neo-Babylonian Empire (626 BCE - 539 BCE): The Neo-Babylonians, under King Nebuchadnezzar II, conquered a portion of Anatolia, including regions such as Cilicia and parts of eastern Anatolia.
• Persian Empire (550 BCE - 330 BCE): The Achaemenid Persians, led by Cyrus the Great, conquered Anatolia, incorporating the land into their vast empire.
• Macedonian Empire (334 BCE - 323 BCE): Alexander the Great of Macedonia launched his campaign against the Persian Empire and conquered Anatolia.
• Seleucid Empire (312 BCE - 63 BCE): After the death of Alexander the Great, his empire was divided among his generals, and Seleucus I Nicator established the Seleucid Empire, which encompassed much of Anatolia.
• Kingdom of Pergamon (281 BCE - 133 BCE): The Attalid dynasty ruled the Kingdom of Pergamon, centred in western Anatolia.
• Roman Republic and Roman Empire (133 BCE - 395 CE): The Roman Republic gradually gained control over Anatolia, making Asia's province.
• Byzantine Empire (330 CE - 1453 CE): The Byzantines, with their capital at Constantinople (later Istanbul), emerged as the successor to the Eastern Roman Empire.
• Seljuk Empire (1077 CE - 1307 CE): The Anatolian Seljuk State, a Turkic dynasty, established its rule in Anatolia.
• Ottoman Empire (1299 CE - 1922 CE): The Ottoman state, founded by Osman I, expanded territories in Anatolia and eventually conquered Constantinople in 1453. The empire peaked under Suleiman the Magnificent.
• Republic of Turkey (1923 CE - present): Mustafa Kemal Ataturk founded the Republic of Turkey following the Ottoman collapse. The republic underwent modernisation and transformation, becoming a secular, democratic nation-state.

Hittite Empire - The First to Rule Turkey

The Hittite Empire was an ancient civilisation during the Late Bronze Age. They emerged around the 17th century BCE in central Anatolia and established their capital in Hattusa. Under kings such as Hattusili I and Suppiluliuma I, the Hittites expanded their territory and influence. They found a vast empire encompassing Anatolia, northern Syria, and parts of Mesopotamia. Hittites were skilled in diplomacy and formed alliances with neighbouring states. They engaged in treaties and diplomatic marriages to secure their borders and protect their interests.

The Hittite Empire faced internal strife and external pressures, including invasions by the Sea Peoples and internal power struggles. The empire eventually collapsed around the 12th century BCE, leading to political fragmentation. The Hittite Empire's influence is seen in subsequent civilisations, and their legacy continues to be studied by archaeologists and historians today.

The Roman Empire and Byzantine Empire

Turkey, or Anatolia as the country was known in ancient times, played crucial roles in the Roman Empire's expansion and administration. During the Roman Republic, the Romans gradually gained control over various regions of Anatolia through military campaigns and diplomatic alliances. The Kingdom of Pergamon, located in western Anatolia, was bequeathed to Rome by the last ruler, Attalus III, in 133 BCE, effectively becoming the province of Asia.

The Roman Empire's presence in Anatolia increased further with the defeat of Pontus in 63 BCE and the subsequent incorporation of territories. Under the Roman Empire, Anatolia was a crucial crossroads for trade and military operations. Major cities such as Ephesus, Antioch, and Byzantium (later Constantinople and present-day Istanbul) thrived as important economic and cultural centres.

During the reign of Emperor Diocletian, the Roman Empire underwent administrative reforms, and Anatolia was divided into several provinces, including Asia, Galatia, Cappadocia, and Bithynia et Pontus. These provinces were governed by Roman officials.

In the 4th century CE, Roman Emperor Constantine the Great moved the capital from Rome to Byzantium, which he renamed Constantinople. This shift further elevated the importance of Anatolia within the empire. Constantinople became the political, economic, and cultural centre of the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire, which endured for nearly a thousand years after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

The Byzantine Empire influenced the region that would later become Turkey. But they began to lose Anatolian territories to the Seljuk Turks in the 11th century. By the 13th century, the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum dominated Anatolia. However, the empire faced pressure from the Mongols and disintegration from internal conflicts. Amidst this backdrop, the emerging Ottoman Beylik led by Osman I gradually expanded in western Anatolia. The Ottoman Empire eventually conquered Constantinople in 1453.

The Ottoman Empire

The longest and most prolific rule came from the Ottoman Empire, which dominated nearly half the world from its capital Constantinople for over 400 years. The Ottomans emerged in the 13th century and lasted until the early 20th century. The empire was founded by Osman I in 1299.

Ottoman forces spanned three continents, including parts of Southeast Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. The Ottoman Empire was characterised by a centralised government with the sultan at the pinnacle of power. Still, their decline began in the late 17th century, marked by military defeats, territorial losses, and internal strife. The final years of Ottoman rule were marked by the Balkan Wars and World War I. During World War I, the empire sided with central powers and suffered a military defeat.

Turkey After World War One

The Treaty of Sevres, signed in 1920, aimed to dismantle Ottoman lands among the victorious Allied powers. This sparked nationalist resistance movements led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a prominent military officer and later the founder of modern Turkey.

Ataturk and his supporters formed a new Turkish nationalist government based in Ankara, known as the Turkish National Movement. They rejected the Treaty of Sevres and fought against foreign occupation forces and rival nationalist factions. The Turkish War of Independence (1919-1922) ensued, culminating in the defeat of foreign troops and establishing a new Turkish state.

1923 the Treaty of Lausanne was signed, replacing the Treaty of Sevres. The Treaty of Lausanne recognised the new Republic of Turkey and defined the country's borders. The treaty also outlined provisions for population exchanges between Greece and Turkey, resulting in massive population movements as Greeks in Turkey and Turks in Greece resettled in their respective countries.

Ataturk, as the new leader, implemented far-reaching reforms to modernise Turkey into a secular and Western-oriented nation-state. These reforms, collectively known as Kemalism or Ataturk's Reforms, encompassed political, social, cultural, and legal changes.

From Ataturk to the Current Day Turkish Republic

• Ataturk's Leadership (1923-1938): Mustafa Kemal Atatürk served as Turkey’s first President from 1923 until 1938. Ataturk implemented sweeping reforms to modernise and secularise Turkey, known as Kemalism or Atatürk's Reforms.
• Single-Party Era and Democratization (1938-1950): Following Ataturk's death, the Republican People's Party (CHP) maintained single-party rule until 1950. The Democratic Party (DP) emerged as the opposition democratic party and won the 1950 general elections, marking the transition to multi-party democracy.
• Transition to Multi-Party Democracy (1950-1980): The DP and CHP alternated in power with several elections and government changes.
• Military Interventions and Political Turmoil (1960-1983): Turkey witnessed several military interventions: the 1960 coup, the 1971 "coup by memorandum," and the 1980 military coup.
• Political and Economic Transformations (1983-2002): Turgut Ozal became Prime Minister, initiating economic liberalisation policies and market-oriented reforms.
• AK Party Era (2002-Present): The Justice and Development Party (AK Party), led by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, won a landslide victory in the 2002 elections and has been in power since then. The AK Party implemented numerous reforms, including constitutional changes, democratisation efforts, and increased focus on religious conservatism. Turkey experienced sustained economic growth, urban development, and increased regional influence under the AK Party government.

Importance of Modern-Day Turkiye

• Geopolitical Location: Turkey connects Europe and Asia, linking the European continent with the Middle East. Turkey's proximity to conflict zones, such as Syria and Iraq, is vital to regional stability and security. Turkey's control over critical waterways, including the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits, is crucial for international maritime trade and energy transportation.
• NATO and Security: Turkey belongs to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and hosts critical military bases. This strategic position enhances NATO's reach and provides crucial footholds.
• Economic Relations: Turkey's large and dynamic economy is an important trade partner and investment destination for EU member states. The EU is Turkey's largest trading partner. Turkey's integration with the EU market through the Customs Union has fostered economic cooperation and facilitated the movement of goods and services.
• Energy and Infrastructure: Turkey's geographical position acts as an energy hub connecting East suppliers with European consumers. The strategic infrastructure, such as pipelines and transportation routes, contributes to the EU's energy security and diversification efforts.
• Cultural and Historical Ties: Turkey's rich cultural heritage, history, and archaeological sites, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, contributes to global cultural heritage.

More About Modern-Day Turkey

Marmara Region of Turkey: The Marmara Region includes Istanbul, Turkey's largest city and economic hub, which serves as a bridge between Europe and Asia. Istanbul is a vibrant metropolis that blends ancient history with modernity, boasting iconic landmarks like the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar. The Marmara Region is also the country's most developed and industrialised region, contributing significantly to Turkey's economy.

Istanbul Finance Center for Turkey's Future: The primary objective of the Istanbul Finance Center is to enhance Istanbul's position as a leading financial centre regionally and globally. The project aims to attract financial institutions, multinational companies, and investors, promoting economic growth, job creation, and increased foreign direct investment.