The importance of independent thought

Andrew Mango's exhaustive review of the events leading to the establishment of modern Turkey makes clear why its capital ended up in Ankara, far from Istanbul. In the post World War I era, it was hard (poor roads) and dangerous (bandits) to get to. Istanbul was occupied by the Allies.

With hundreds of years of Ottoman roots planted in Istanbul, it's understandable why Atatürk would want to make some other city the new seat of government even after independence was one. It was an effective way of marking the start of a new era.

Speaking of independence, Atatürk said in a speech in Ankara 1920 "that while one had to work form the roots upwards to build a solid organization, at the start one had no choice but to work from the top downwards, since until individuals had learnt to think for themselves, masses could be manipulated."

Quite true.