The interwar period was marked by economic turmoil, rising nationalism, and geopolitical instability, all of which culminated in the outbreak of World War II. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, foresaw the escalating tensions in Europe and advocated for supranational cooperation as a means of ensuring long-term peace. His June 21, 1935, interview with American journalist Gladys Baker at Dolmabahçe Palace provided profound insights into his geopolitical foresight and his emphasis on the necessity of a structured international order to prevent global conflicts.
Atatürk critically evaluated the Treaty of Versailles, arguing that it failed to address the root causes of World War I. Instead of fostering a sustainable peace, the treaty deepened hostilities between rival states, particularly by imposing punitive measures on Germany without considering its geopolitical, ethnic, and economic realities. Atatürk predicted that Germany, fueled by nationalist fervor and economic grievances, would eventually disregard the treaty, leading to renewed conflict in Europe. [1] His analysis underscored the importance of equitable and pragmatic diplomatic agreements, a principle that would later shape post-WWII European integration efforts.
Atatürk emphasized that preventing future wars required the establishment of a supranational organization by his discourse: “The situation in Europe was steadily worsening, stated that the quickest and most effective measure to prevent the outbreak of a war would be the establishment of an international organization capable of clearly conveying that any potential aggression would not go unpunished.” [2] Atatürk remained skeptical of the League of Nations’ efficacy at the time, even though he acknowledged that it was the only international organization that could be thought of as carrying out these responsibilities and promoting collective security. He pointed out that the League had yet to prove itself as a decisive and influential entity.[3] This society “guaranteed the territorial integrity and independence of all states” [4], but the victorious countries of World War I were influential in the establishment of the organization. Therefore, it has been stated that the Paris Peace Conference at the end of World War I, which created the League of Nations, should be viewed “not as a meeting of European states but as a congress of the victors” and the resulting order should be evaluated under these conditions [5]. Indeed, it does not seem possible for this institution, established under these conditions, to fulfill this commitment. Atatürk’s concerns were validated when the League failed to prevent the aggressive expansion of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, leading to World War II.
Atatürk asserted that lasting peace could only be achieved through international measures aimed at improving the conditions of the masses. He emphasized that “international measures must be taken to improve the condition of the masses if lasting peace is truly desired,” adding that the welfare of humanity as a whole must replace hunger and oppression. Furthermore, he underlined the importance of educating the citizens of the world in a way that would distance them from envy, greed, and hatred.[6] This perspective foreshadowed the core principles of the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Union (EU), which sought economic collaboration as a foundation for political stability and peace.
Atatürk’s foresight regarding the impending global conflict and the need for a structured international order was remarkably accurate. He predicted that ” We will find ourselves facing a second great war. Unfortunately, among the rulers of the nations that dominate the world, there are no true statesmen of the first rank. In Europe, a few adventurers have forcibly taken control of Germany and Italy. They are emboldened by the weakness of the statesmen they face. These men will not hesitate to drench the world in blood. Our old friend, the Russian Soviet Government, will surely know how to take advantage of the mistakes of both the weak and the reckless..” [7] His warning about the rise of adventurist leaders in Germany and Italy came true, leading to one of the most devastating conflicts in human history. As a result of this conflict, Russia has also risen as one of the two major global powers.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s 1935 interview provides an invaluable perspective on the necessity of European integration and international cooperation for maintaining peace. His critique of the Treaty of Versailles, his advocacy for a supranational authority, and his emphasis on economic stability as a means of preventing war all align with the principles that later shaped modern integrated European institutions.
Bibliography:
- Davies, Norman. Avrupa Tarihi: Doğu’dan Batı’ya, Buz Çağından Soğuk Savaş’a, Urallar’dan Cebelitarık’a, Avrupa’nın Panoraması. Translated by Burcu Çığman. Ankara: İmge Yayınları, 2006.
- Fromkin, David. Barışa Son Veren Barış: Modern Ortadoğu Nasıl Yaratıldı (1914–1922). Translated by Mehmet Harmancı. İstanbul: Epsilon Yayınları, 2008.
- Kocatürk, Utkan. Atatürk’ün Fikir ve Düşünceleri. Ankara: Atatürk Araştırma Merkezi Yayınları, 1999.
- “Mülakat: Atatürk’ün Amerikalı Gazeteci Gladys Baker’a Verdiği Beyanat.” Tan, June 21, 1935, 1.
- “Sürekli Barışın Şartları.” Cumhuriyet, June 21, 1935.
- Tütengil, Çetin Altan. Atatürkçülük. İstanbul: Adam Yayınları, 1998.
Tan, June 21, 1935, 1.
[1] “Mülakat: Atatürk’ün Amerikalı Gazeteci Gladys Baker’a Verdiği Beyanat,” Tan, June 21, 1935, 1.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] David Fromkin, Barışa Son Veren Barış: Modern Ortadoğu Nasıl Yaratıldı (1914–1922), trans. Mehmet Harmancı (İstanbul: Epsilon Yayınları, 2008), 227.
[5] Norman Davies, Avrupa Tarihi, trans. Burcu Çığman (Ankara: İmge Yayınları, 2006), 973.
[6] “Sürekli Barışın Şartları,” Cumhuriyet, June 21, 1935, 1; Çetin Altan Tütengil, Atatürkçülük (İstanbul: Adam Yayınları, 1998), 22–28.
[7] Utkan Kocatürk, Atatürk’ün Fikir ve Düşünceleri (Ankara: Atatürk Araştırma Merkezi Yayınları, 1999), 374–375.
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