The sons of two fatherlands: Turkey and the North Caucasian Diaspora, 1914-1923
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Authors
Gingeras, Ryan
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2011
Date
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Abstract
“We have citizens and co-nationals in the contemporary Turkish nation who wish to propagate
notions about Kurdish-ness, Circassian-ness and even more so Laz-ness or Bosnian-ness inside of the
political and social collective. But this false naming, which is a product of the despotism of the
past age, for anyone other than a few reactionary tools of the enemy and imbeciles, had no other
effect on the nation other than worry and stress. Because the individuals of this nation, like the
whole Turkish community, are in possession of a common past, history, morality and law.”1
“No Matter what happens, it is our obligation to immerse those living in our society in the
civilization of Turkish society and to have them benefit from the prosperity of civilization. Why
should we still speak of the Kurd Mehmet, the Circassian Hasan or the Laz Ali. This would
demonstrate the weakness of the dominant element… If anybody has any difference inside of him, we
need to erase that in the schools and in the body politic, so that man will be as Turkish as me and
serve the homeland.”2
Pronouncements such as these underscore the fundamental premise of ethnic politics in the Republic
of Turkey for much of its brief history. Turkish nationalism, as suggested in the quotes above is
the mortar with which the Turkish state is kept together. A rich heritage and culture binds all
those born within Turkey’s borders. To suggest otherwise condones the subversive and reactionary
politics of the Ottoman past.
Type
Article
Description
The article of record as published may be found at http://ejts.revues.org/index4424.html
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
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Format
16 p
Citation
R. Gingeras, "The Sons of Two Fatherlands: Turkey and the North Caucasian Diaspora, 1914-1923,"
European Journal of Turkish Studies [Online], Complete List, 2011, Online since 30 November 2011.
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.