Alparslan Türkeş facts for kids
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Alparslan Türkeş
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| Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey | |
| In office 21 July 1977 – 5 January 1978 |
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| Prime Minister | Süleyman Demirel |
| Served with | Necmettin Erbakan |
| Preceded by | Orhan Eyüboğlu |
| Succeeded by | Turhan Feyzioğlu |
| In office 31 March 1975 – 21 June 1977 |
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| Prime Minister | Süleyman Demirel |
| Served with | Necmettin Erbakan Turhan Feyzioğlu |
| Preceded by | Zeyyat Baykara |
| Succeeded by | Orhan Eyüboğlu |
| Leader of the Nationalist Movement Party | |
| In office 8 February 1969 – 4 April 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Devlet Bahçeli |
| Member of the Grand National Assembly | |
| In office 10 October 1991 – 24 December 1995 |
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| Constituency | Yozgat (1991) |
| In office 10 October 1965 – 12 September 1980 |
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| Constituency | Ankara (1965) Adana (1969, 1973, 1977) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Hüseyin Feyzullah
25 November 1917 Nicosia, British Cyprus |
| Died | 4 April 1997 (aged 79) Ankara, Turkey |
| Political party | CKMP (1965–1969) MHP (1969–1980), (1993-1997) MÇP (1987–1993) |
| Spouses |
Muzaffer Hanım
(m. 1940; died 1974)Seval Hanım
(m. 1976) |
| Children | 7, including Tuğrul and Ahmet |
| Alma mater | Kuleli Military High School |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Turkey |
| Branch/service | Turkish Army |
| Years of service | 1933–1963 |
| Rank | Colonel |
Alparslan Türkeş (Turkish pronunciation: [alˈpaɾsɫan tyɾˈceʃ]; 25 November 1917 – 4 April 1997) was an important Turkish politician. He founded and led the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). He was also the leader of the Grey Wolves, a youth organization. Many of his supporters called him Başbuğ, which means "Leader."
Contents
Early Life
Alparslan Türkeş was born in Nicosia, British Cyprus, in 1917. His family was Turkish Cypriot. When he was fifteen, in 1932, Türkeş moved to Istanbul, Turkey with his family.
He joined a military high school in Istanbul in 1933. He finished his studies there in 1936. In 1938, he officially joined the army, starting his military career.
Political Journey
Türkeş became well-known during the military coup on May 27, 1960. He was the spokesman for the group that took over the government. After the coup, he held a position as an undersecretary to the Prime Minister.
However, Türkeş and 13 other members of the group wanted to keep power. Because of this, they were removed from the group. Türkeş was sent to the Turkish embassy in New Delhi.
Joining a Political Party
He came back to Turkey in February 1963. Later, he joined the Republican Villagers Nation Party (CKMP). On August 1, 1965, Türkeş was chosen as the leader of this party.
In 1969, the CKMP changed its name to the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). As the leader of the MHP, he also led the Grey Wolves.
Role in Government
In the 1970s, Türkeş served as Deputy Prime Minister in several governments. These governments were called the National Front.
After the military coup of 1980, he was put in prison. He stayed in prison for more than four years. He was released on April 9, 1985.
Return to Politics
Türkeş returned to politics in 1987. He joined the Nationalist Workers Party (MÇP). In 1991, he was elected to parliament, representing Yozgat.
In 1992, the MÇP changed its name back to the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). The party also introduced its new symbol, the three crescents.
His Beliefs
Alparslan Türkeş used the MHP to spread his nationalist ideas. In 1965, he wrote a book called the Nine Lights Doctrine. This book explained the main ideas of the MHP.
The Nine Lights Doctrine had nine key principles:
- Nationalism: Believing strongly in one's own nation.
- Idealism: Aiming for high goals and perfect standards.
- Moralism: Following strong moral rules.
- Scientism: Believing in science and its methods.
- Societalism: Focusing on the good of society.
- Ruralism: Valuing rural life and communities.
- Libertism and personalism: Believing in freedom and the importance of individuals.
- Progressivism and populism: Supporting progress and appealing to ordinary people.
- Industrialism and technologism: Believing in industry and technology.
Türkeş was a strong supporter of Pan-Turkism. This idea suggests that all Turkish-speaking peoples around the world should be united. He believed in the well-being of all Turks, wherever they lived. His followers saw him as a very important leader in the Turkish nationalist movement.
International Relations
Türkeş was interested in the well-being of Turkish people everywhere. He believed this included Turks in places like Greece and Cyprus.
In 1992, Alparslan Türkeş visited Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. He went there to support Abulfaz Elchibey during the presidential election. He also met with Levon Ter-Petrosyan, who was the President of Armenia in the 1990s.
Family Life
Alparslan Türkeş was married two times and had seven children. He married Muzaffer Hanım in 1940. They had four daughters (Ayzit, Umay, Selcen, and Çağrı) and one son (Tuğrul). Muzaffer Hanım passed away in 1974.
In 1976, Türkeş married Seval Hanım. They had one daughter (Ayyüce) and one son (Ahmet Kutalmış).
His Passing
Alparslan Türkeş died from a heart attack on April 4, 1997, at the age of 80. The news of his death was kept quiet for five hours. This was done while security measures were put in place across the country.
After the announcement, thousands of his supporters went to the Bayindir Hospital. They chanted, "Leaders never die." His funeral was held at the Kocatepe Mosque in Ankara.
His Sons in Politics
Türkeş's youngest son, Ahmet Kutalmış Türkeş, became a member of the Justice and Development Party. He was elected as an Istanbul deputy in 2011. However, he resigned before the June 2015 elections. He did this to protest his party's plans to change the government system.
In 2015, Türkeş's oldest son, Tuğrul Türkeş, made history. He became the first person of Turkish Cypriot origin to be Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey. In September 2015, Tuğrul Türkeş visited Northern Cyprus officially for the first time.
His Impact
Alparslan Türkeş was very important in shaping Turkish nationalism. He also helped bring back the idea of Pan-Turkism starting from the 1940s.
After he passed away in 1997, Turkey's President Süleyman Demirel said his death was a "great loss to the political life of Turkey." Similarly, Turkey's first female Prime Minister Tansu Çiller called him a "historic individual."
See Also
- Tuğrul Türkeş
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