A Comprehensive History of Turkey from Ancient Times to Today

The history of Turkey spans from the foundation of the Republic on October 29, 1923, back to earlier periods including the Ottoman Empire and prehistoric settlements.

Anatolia's strategic location has made it a critical juncture for various civilizations throughout history.

Stone Age artifacts reflect the earliest cultural representations in Anatolia.

The Hittite civilization rose to prominence in Anatolia around the second millennium BCE, becoming a dominant Middle Eastern power by 1340 BCE.

The Hittite civilization fell, leading to the rise of Phrygia and Lydia, followed by Persian control over Anatolia.

The Ionian Revolt against Persian rule sparked the Greco-Persian Wars, which shaped future conflicts in the region.

As the influence of Rome expanded, Anatolia became effectively governed under Roman administration, with Constantinople (formerly Byzantium) established as a new capital.

The spread of Hellenistic culture continued, leading to Greek being predominant until the fall of Byzantium.

Turkic peoples began migrating westward into Anatolia, leading to the establishment of the Seljuk Empire.

The Battle of Manzikert in 1071 marked a turning point, leading to increased Turkic settlement in the region.

Osman I founded the Ottoman Empire, which expanded significantly after the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

The Ottoman Empire reached its zenith in the 16th and 17th centuries before experiencing decline due to various internal and external pressures.

National movements and wars in the 19th century weakened the Ottoman Empire, leading to territorial losses.

The Empire collapsed after World War I, with Mustafa Kemal leading the Turkish War of Independence, resulting in the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923.

Turkey maintained neutrality during World War II and joined NATO in 1952.

The Turkish economy has experienced significant growth since liberalization in the 1980s, along with a population increase from 17 million in the 1930s to over 80 million today.