Economic Policy of Atatürk

The principle of statism lies at the basis of Atatürk’s economic views. He took part in the establishment of 46 factories. And with the opening of these factories, heavy industry production increased 152% between 1929 and 1938. Total industrial production, on the other hand, showed an increase of 80 percent.

Other developments that occurred with the establishment of factories are as follows;

Coal: 100% increase Chromium: 600% increase (in Turkey chrome producer and exporter country in the world has risen to second place after South Rhodesia.) Other metals: 200% increase Iron production increased from zero to one hundred and eighty thousand tons, and sugar production increased two hundred times. The textile industry has reached the power to meet eighty percent of the country’s textile needs. The import of copper and copper compounds has been stopped and the export has started. During this period, the lands of religious foundations were seized for the first step. A large part of the land of these religious foundations was distributed to poor villagers. 1.270.000 acres of land, which belongs to a foundation named Mahmudu Sani and contains thirty six villages in Eskişehir, is divided into thirty four thousand parcels in accordance with the Land Registry and Cadastre Law No. 2613. And these parcels were given to the settlement of the local state. In addition, 900,000 acres of land in twenty-three thousand parcels were also distributed to landless peasants.

In addition, regarding taxes, at the Izmir Economy Congress, decisions such as “developing the market economy and encouraging private entrepreneurship, applying nationalization and protectionist policies, modernizing the tax system and reducing taxes, granting new social rights to employees” were reached.

Finally, regarding how the Central Bank was established, it is necessary to say that the bank gained its legal existence as a joint stock company. This situation was interpreted as an indication that the bank is completely separate and independent from other public institutions. The Central Bank became active on October 3, 1931, with the collection of functions carried out by different institutions and organizations in one hand.

Atatürk and Science

Atatürk underlined that he cares about science, that is physics, chemistry and other natural sciences at every opportunity. The leader, who built his mindset on a rational science base, stated that “the next victories will be with science and economics” after the War of Independence. Atatürk emphasized that all developments in science and technique should be followed closely in order to be able to realize the connection between modernity and science and come to a more contemporary point. During the foundation of the Republic, a scientific basis and the guidance of science were considered important in all institutions and every new application.

It is possible to summarize Atatürk’s views on education with the following headings;

-Equality of Women and Men in Education -Dissemination of Education – Eliminating Lack of Knowledge -The National Education System Should Be Based On Science. -Protection of the Republic of Turkey -Giving Importance to Teachers and Trainers -Secularism in Education -Reform in Higher Education -Giving Importance to Practice in Education -Discipline in National Education