After 1919

1919-?: The start of a Modern Society:
After the Turkish defeat in World War I the empire was divided up among the victorious partners. The general Mustafa Kemal chose to go against this decision and started an armed rebellion against the partition of Turkey.
The rebellion succeeded and the Turkish republic was established when the Turkish army had beaten the Greeks and their allies in 1922.
Mustafa Kemal was elected as the first president of the country. This was the start of a new and more modern Turkey that among other things introduced western inspired judicial, educational and agricultural reforms.
The development has been very fast as modern Turkey is just 80 years old. This also means that large parts of the country have not been able to absorb the series of reforms, new initiatives and changed customs.
Especially in small villages and the eastern part of Turkey, the modern and technological age has not yet made inroads and the class differences are very noticeable.
And now the European Union (EU) has entered the picture. At the end of the tunnel Turkey is hoping to see a date for their acceptance into the EU. This means that Turkish politicians, more than ever, are keen to establish a strong economy, get rid of bureaucracy and fulfil the many demands of the EU.
But first the standards of the poorest people must be raised, which might be the biggest and hardest challenge.

---