Mustapha Kemal Bey

[123everton]

Was Ata Turk responsible for any pogroms after his ascent to power in 1923?

[tiggerblue10]

I don't think he was responsible for pogroms. He was considered more of an emancipator of Turkey following Caliphate rule.

[123everton]

Hi Tigs.
There is a lot to be said for him (taking women out of the harem for instance), but there was another pogrom in 1920, these attitudes and tensions would not disappear over night so I'm curious to know if he instigated any.
I've got a question in books if you could help with that....

[tiggerblue10]

I'll ask my dad if I remember. He's an expert on Turkey.

[Lil O'lady]

I've a feeling that Ataturk turned a blind eye on persecution of Greek Christians, certainly in Istanbul. Not exactly ordered it, but didn't stop it either.

[123everton]

I feel you may be right but isolated incidents can't really be attributed as state policy when you consider the Greek expulsions (1914) or the Armenian genocide (1915) or the Adana (1909) and Hammidian massacres (1895).
Kemal resisted the temptation (and the popularity it would have gained him) of walking over the Greek flag after the Greek wars (1926 I think).
It is though interesting to note that the Greek minority seemingly fared better in Turkey during this time than the Armenians in 1915 when the latter was accused of treason for their alleged Russian sympathies.