What was the role of Turkish nationalism in the Turkish War of Independence?

Turkish nationalism played a crucial role in the Turkish War of Independence (1919-1923), which marked the end of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. Nationalist sentiment had been growing in Turkey for decades, fueled by factors such as Ottoman decline, foreign intervention, and the emergence of new ideas about ethnic identity and nationhood. These sentiments coalesced around Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a military leader who emerged as the primary figure in the independence movement and would later become the first president of Turkey.

Ataturk and his supporters saw Turkish nationalism as the key to achieving independence and modernization, and worked to build a broad-based nationalist coalition that could unite Turks of all classes and regions. This coalition was based on a vision of Turkey as a secular, modern, and democratic nation-state, in contrast to the Ottoman Empire's traditionalist and Islamic character.

The Turkish War of Independence was marked by a series of military and political struggles against various external and internal forces, including Greek, Armenian, and French occupation, as well as Ottoman loyalists who opposed the nationalist movement. Throughout the conflict, Turkish nationalism served as a powerful motivator for the independence fighters and helped to galvanize support for their cause.

In the end, Turkish nationalism proved instrumental in securing victory in the war and establishing the new Turkish state. Ataturk's government went on to implement sweeping reforms aimed at modernizing Turkish society and creating a more Westernized, secular state, while also promoting Turkish culture and identity.