National Sovereignty (National Government)
ATATÜRK DECLARES!
National Sovereignty (National Government)
Sovereignty can never accept partnership in terms of any form, meaning party
color or emblem. 1922 (The Speech II, page 700)
The formation and protection of sustainable freedom, equality and justice in
society depends totally on the exact sense of establishment of national
sovereignty. Therefore, the basis of freedom, equality and justice is national
sovereignty. Freedom in our society and in our state is limitless. Its borders
are present and defined by the protection of the principle that makes it
limitless.
An individual may willingly want to dispose of his freedom, but if this
attempt will harm the life and freedom of a nation, if the life of a nation full
of greatness and honor will fade because of this and if the children and
grandchildren of that nation will disappear because of this, such attempts can
never be reasonable and acceptable. Furthermore, such an action can never be
tolerated in the name of freedom.
There is no doubt that we will protect and defend our national sovereignty in
our most jealous and alert mood and with all our might for the sake of the
eternal life of our state, the strengthening of our country, the comfort and
happiness of our nation as well as for the sake of our lives, pride, honor and
future as well as all our sacred concepts and finally all we possess. 1923
(Atatürk’ s S.D.I, page 298)
National will and national determination do not only consist of the ideas of
an individual but is a combination of the will of all the individuals of the
nation. 1923 (Atatürk ’s S.D.I, page 95)
Sovereignty belongs to the nation unconditionally.1923 (Atatürk’s S.D.II, page
58)
Power is undivided and belongs to the nation. 1937 (Atatürk’s K.A.N, page 41)
National sovereignty is such a light that chains melt, crowns and thrones
burn and disappear against it. Institutions established on the slavery of
nations are bound to be demolished everywhere. 1929 (Atatürk’s B.N., page 82-83)
A nation cannot avoid being the toy of others unless it becomes involved with
its present and its rights with all its intellectual and material power. Our
national life, our history and our recent administrative style are excellent
proof of this. This is why the national power and the national determination has
been accepted as dominant in administration. Today, all the nations of the world
recognize only one sovereignty: The National Sovereignty. 1920 (The Speech III,
page 1185)
The great ideologies of important nations in the world that have achieved
sovereignty to avoid slavery have always been fierce enemies of those who depend
on outdated institutions and those seeking solutions in rotten administrations.
1923 (Atatürk’s S.D.I, page 309)
Friends! There is no-one expecting a crown and there is no dictator in the
Turkish state and among the people of Türkiye that have established the Turkish
state. There is no one after the crown and there will never be. Because it is
not possible.
All the world should clearly know that there is no power or authority over
this state and nation. There is only one power. That is national sovereignty.
There is only one authority. That is the presence, conscience and the heart of
the nation. 1923 (Atatürk’s S.D.I, page 300)
The nation that knows and appreciates the value of direct sovereignty will
crush any possible threat against this sacred sovereignty. 1923 (Atatürk’s
S.D.II, page 135)
To die for national sovereignty is a matter of conscience and honor for me.
1923 (Atatürk’s S.D.II, page 76)
Those involved in the destiny of a nation should never forget the fact that
they are to use the power and dignity of that nation only to obtain the real and
sustainable benefits of the nation itself. These men should always remember that
it is not enough to invade and restrain a country to be dominant over the owners
of that country. It is not possible to be dominant over a nation unless the
spirit of that nation is bound and its determination and will are broken. No
force can resist the national spirit nurtured throughout centuries.
There is no tyranny left on earth that is capable of keeping a nation under
control if that nation resists subjugation. 1924 (Atatürk’s B.N. page 81)
The Great National Assembly is the summary and the symbol of the Turkish
Nation's understanding of self rule and the its search that took centuries.
The Turkish nation has been able to disperse the darkness and look at the
future with hope after it has handed its destiny over to the capable and
patriotic hands of the Great National Assembly.
The core of the new Turkish government is national sovereignty. It is the
unconditional sovereignty of the nation. (1923)
In all phases of struggle in my military and political life, my motive has
always been to achieve the goals of the nation and the country depending on
national consciousness. (1920)