An Evaluation on the Development and General Character of the Idea of Anatolianism

Abstract

Considered as an intellectual movement, Anatolianism is an approach based on the thesis that Anatolia is the "homeland" of the Turks. It is an intellectual movement that emerged mainly at the end of the Balkan War and the subsequent World War I on the grounds that the ideas of Ottomanism, Islamism and Turanism, known as the "three styles of politics", which were put forward to get rid of the difficult situation (disintegration) in which the Ottoman state found itself, were not effective and realistic enough to keep the country together as a result of the war. Anatolianism stands out with its political, ideological, cultural, philosophical, economic and geographical characteristics. This movement argues that the salvation of the country will be realized through the integration of the "Oghuz Turks", who were raised in Islamic culture, with Anatolia, whose borders have been drawn. This study aims to provide an overview of the development of the idea of Anatolianism. It was written with the idea that it made important contributions to the establishment of the Republic.