On the 50th anniversary of his death, we respectfully remember İsmet İnönü, a highly talented individual who dedicated every stage of his life to his country.

In Mustafa İsmet's life, there were various facets: İnönü the soldier, İnönü the diplomat, İnönü the statesman, İnönü who facilitated the multi-party political system, İnönü the opposition party leader, and İnönü who prevented coups after 1961.

During the Ottoman era, he fought on the front lines in Yemen, Diyarbakır, and Syria, taking on roles up to the level of "Corps Command." As the first Chief of the General Staff during the National Struggle, he established a regular army. He participated in the wars that lasted 3.5 years as the Commander of the Western Front.

The historical telegram sent by Atatürk after the Second İnönü Battle is important and meaningful. Atatürk wrote:

"In all of world history, few commanders have been charged with a responsibility as heavy as the one you shouldered in the İnönü Battles. There, you defeated not only the enemy but also the nation's adverse fate.

...

As I congratulate you on your great valor and victory, which has inscribed your name on the monuments of history's honor and aroused in the entire nation an endless sense of gratitude and thankfulness towards you, I want to say that the hill you stood on showed you a field of honor filled with thousands of enemy corpses, and just as much, it revealed a horizon brimming with the glimmers of a rising future for our nation and yourself."

This telegram both captures historical truth and projects the future. The last sentence speaks of a "future filled with ascent."

DIPLOMAT İNÖNÜ

After the victorious conclusion of the National Struggle, a new era began for İnönü: the era of Diplomat İnönü.

His description of the diplomatic negotiations that began in Lausanne is noteworthy:

"Until I went to Lausanne, I knew no shoes but boots. Every morning, the first thing I did was put on my boots... I had gone from the battlefields to there."

British Prime Minister Churchill described Lausanne as the "antithesis of Sevres." U.S. representative Joseph C. Grew said, "İsmet Pasha achieved a significant diplomatic victory in Lausanne."

İnönü faced various pressures in Lausanne, and when cornered, he would assert, "I came here from the battlefields and Mudanya." Renowned political scientist Bernard Lewis said, "İnönü made the West accept his terms in Lausanne."

IMPLEMENTER OF REVOLUTIONS

After the proclamation of the Republic, İnönü served as prime minister for over 12 uninterrupted years. This period was crucial for establishing the new Turkish state and creating a modern society. Atatürk's secular Enlightenment revolutions occurred one after the other during this time. Major milestones, such as the secular law revolution, granting rights to women, clothing, alphabet, and secular education reforms, were achieved. Prime Minister İsmet İnönü was at the forefront of executing these revolutions, and thus, those who could not criticize Atatürk directed their criticism at İnönü.

STATESMAN

After Atatürk's death, İnönü became president and engaged in intense diplomatic efforts to keep Turkey out of World War II. His response to a child during a visit is significant: "I left you without sugar, but not without a father."

His "neutrality policy" during World War II is a lesson in diplomacy. This period has been the subject of theses and books.

TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY

After the war, İnönü embarked on a new era of "introducing a multi-party system for Turkey." He ensured the adoption of an election law based on legal principles and open counting of secret ballots in Parliament.

Honest elections under judicial supervision were held on May 14, 1950. When the newly formed DP won the election, political power was peacefully transferred to them. İnönü wrote to his son: "This election has proved how serious and sincere we were in our endeavor to establish a new way of life for the country. It has been an honor for the country and all of us."

Many studies and books have been written about the 1950 elections. Renowned political scientist Prof. Dr. Dankwart Rustow commented, "İsmet İnönü is the only statesman in the world who has the honor of voluntarily relinquishing dictatorial power to nurture democracy."

1950-1960 was the period when İnönü, as an opposition leader, worked for democracy.

LEADER WHO STOPPED MILITARY INTERVENTIONS

After 1961, İnönü once again became prime minister and formed Turkey's first coalition government. The period between 1961-1966 was extremely sensitive time period for Turkey. During this time, there were two actual military interventions. Prime Minister İnönü prevented these and punished Aydemir and his comrades with the death penalty for their second rebellion.

Without İnönü, Turkey could have become a Middle Eastern country facing successive military interventions. Therefore, İnönü's premiership during 1961-1966 is highly significant and should be remembered with admiration.

When İnönü left the prime ministership on October 25, 1937, Atatürk wrote about the historical services İnönü rendered since the beginning of the "revolution," stating that the Turkish nation would always remember them with gratitude and appreciation. Atatürk added, "As has been the case so far, I am pleased to reiterate my admiration for your high qualifications for the most significant and important services."

İnönü, sincerely committed to Atatürk's Enlightenment revolutions, believed in Atatürk with his heart and mind. He was a true republican. Atatürk's death was marked by İnönü with the words, "Our nation is indebted to Atatürk, the founder of our state and the selfless, loyal servant of our nation, an unparalleled hero."

In one of his later speeches, he said, "I have been a statist for 40 years. They say statism is leftism. If so, yes, I am a leftist. If caring for your people means leftism, then yes, that's what I am."

It is impossible to fully describe İnönü in this short article. However, the main outlines have been provided. İnönü, who worked for his country as a frontline commander, the head delegate of Lausanne, the implementer of revolutions, and the facilitator of the multi-party system in our country, will not be forgotten. On the 50th anniversary of his death, we remember the patriotic İnönü with love and respect.