The Polemics of Ali Fethi (Okyar) and. Mahmut Esat (Bozkurt) During the Foundation of the Free Republican Parly

Abstract

The economic crisis that hit the world at the end of 1929 affected Turkey negatively too. Some practices of the ruling party, Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi (People's Republican Party), especially theİr satist expression, were receiving negative comment. With the encouragement of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, vvho was fond of seeking Solutions for economic and social prolems in Assembly and of inspecting the ruling party, Ali Fethi Okyar establıshed Serbest Cumhuriyet Partisi (SCP) (Free Repubüc Party) in August, 1930, The most important feature of this nationalist and laic party was being liberal. The ruling party considered the aim of this party as taking place in opposition but Ali Fuat Okyar declared that their target was to be the ruling party, and in a short period of time they gained the support of the public. The speech he made in İzmir made this support visible. The chairman of SCP criticized the actions of the government in his speeches. The mentioned on the matters of satist poütics and justice particularly. Mahmut Esat Bozkurt, Government's Minister of Justice, was very sensitive about these subjects, Therefore a polemic began betvveen them. Mahmut Esat responded Feth Okyar's critics and defended the politics of the government is the speeches he gave in Kayseri, İzmir and Ödemiş. He emphasized the importance of Statism for Republic of Turkey, in a sense he defended revolution but the speech he made in Ödemiş caused his resignation. On the other hand, SCF was closed down by Ali Fethi Okyar