Nihal Atsız, Turkish author, poet, and philosopher (d. 1975)

Hüseyin Nihâl Atsız (Ottoman Turkish: حسين نيهال آتسز; born January 12, 1905, died December 11, 1975) was a profoundly influential and controversial figure in 20th-century Turkish intellectual and political life. As a prolific writer, distinguished novelist, and poignant poet, he became a leading voice of Turkish ultranationalism, leaving an indelible mark on the ideological landscape of the early Turkish Republic.

The Core Ideologies of Nihâl Atsız: Ultranationalism, Pan-Turkism, and Turanism

Nihâl Atsız vehemently self-identified with specific, often extreme, ideological currents. He embraced and propagated a form of Turkish ultranationalism that underscored the centrality of Turkish identity and heritage above all else. Central to his worldview were Pan-Turkism and Turanism.

• Pan-Turkism: This ideology advocates for the political or cultural unity of all Turkic peoples, from Anatolia across Central Asia to Siberia. Atsız envisioned a grand Turkic union, emphasizing a shared ethnic and historical bond among various Turkic groups.
• Turanism: A broader and more ambitious concept, Turanism postulates the eventual unification of all "Turanian" peoples, a group often ambiguously defined but generally encompassing Turkic, Mongolic, and sometimes Finno-Ugric peoples, rooted in a shared ancestral homeland known as Turan. Atsız's Turanism was deeply intertwined with his racial theories, viewing Turkic peoples as a distinct and superior race.

His self-identification as a "racist" was not merely a label but a core tenet of his thought, influencing his interpretations of history, culture, and social structure. This perspective positioned the Turkic race as a dominant and pure entity, leading to a rejection of what he perceived as foreign influences and a celebration of pre-Islamic Turkish traditions.

A Controversial Stance on Religion

In his later life, Atsız became a vocal critic of Islam, which marked a significant and often contentious aspect of his ideology. He famously defined Islam as “a religion created by the Arabs, for Arabs.” This stark statement stemmed from his ultranationalist and racial perspective, where he viewed Islam as an external imposition on Turkish culture, detracting from a purportedly pure, pre-Islamic Turkic identity. For Atsız, the adoption of Islam had, in his view, diluted the original spirit and vigor of the Turkic nation, favoring an Arab cultural paradigm over an authentic Turkic one and thus hindering Turkish advancement.

Literary Legacy and Impact

Beyond his ideological pronouncements, Nihâl Atsız was a prolific author, leaving behind an extensive body of work. He penned over 30 books and numerous articles, essays, and poems that served as vehicles for his nationalist and Turanist ideas. His most notable works, particularly his historical novels, include:

• Deli Kurt (Mad Wolf): A historical novel often lauded for its vivid portrayal of early Turkish history and heroism, focusing on the adventurous life of a fictional Seljuk warrior.
• Bozkurtların Ölümü (The Death of the Grey Wolves) and Bozkurtlar Diriliyor (The Grey Wolves Are Resurrected): These two historical novels form a saga that delves into the ancient Turkic empires and their struggles, romanticizing Turkic prowess and resilience. They became foundational texts for Turkish nationalist youth movements.

Through these works, Atsız aimed to instill a sense of pride in Turkish heritage and foster nationalist sentiments among his readers, influencing generations of Turkish nationalists and shaping literary discourse around national identity.

Opposition to Government and the 1944 Turanism Trials

Nihâl Atsız was a fierce opponent of the government led by İsmet İnönü, Turkey's second President, particularly during the single-party era of the Republican People's Party (CHP). Atsız vehemently criticized İnönü's administration for what he perceived as its collaboration with communist ideologies and Soviet influence, especially in the geopolitical context of World War II. His anti-communist stance was a direct extension of his ultranationalism, viewing communism as a foreign, corrosive ideology antithetical to Turkish national spirit.

His outspoken anti-communism and fervent ultranationalist stance brought him into direct conflict with the state. In 1944, a pivotal moment in Turkish political history, Atsız was among the key figures implicated in the infamous "Racism-Turanism Trials" (Irkçılık-Turancılık Davası). During these trials, he was accused of sympathizing with the Nazi government due to shared elements of racial nationalism and, more gravely, of plotting to overthrow the Turkish government to establish a Turanist state. While Turkey maintained a complex neutrality during much of World War II, the İnönü government was wary of extreme nationalist movements that could disrupt internal stability or align with foreign powers. Atsız and his associates faced charges that included undermining the secular and democratic foundations of the Republic. Although initially sentenced to a period of imprisonment, he and many others were later acquitted or had their sentences overturned on appeal, yet the trials remain a significant event in understanding the complexities of Turkish nationalism and state control during that period, highlighting the tension between the official Kemalist ideology and more radical forms of nationalism.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hüseyin Nihâl Atsız

Who was Hüseyin Nihâl Atsız?

Hüseyin Nihâl Atsız was a prominent Turkish ultranationalist writer, novelist, and poet who lived from 1905 to 1975. He was a key figure in the development and popularization of Pan-Turkist and Turanist ideologies in Turkey during the early to mid-20th century.

What were his main ideologies?

Atsız was a self-declared racist, Pan-Turkist, and Turanist. Pan-Turkism advocates for the political and cultural unity of all Turkic peoples globally. Turanism is a broader, often mythical, concept for the unification of "Turanian" peoples (including Turkic, Mongolic, and others), emphasizing a shared racial and cultural heritage and a common ancestral homeland.

Why did he criticize Islam?

Nihâl Atsız criticized Islam, particularly in his later life, viewing it as "a religion created by the Arabs, for Arabs." From his ultranationalist and racial perspective, he considered Islam an external, non-Turkic influence that had, in his view, diluted the authentic pre-Islamic Turkish identity and culture, thus hindering the Turkish nation's progress and unique character.

What was his connection to the 1944 Turanism Trials?

Atsız was a central figure in the 1944 "Racism-Turanism Trials" (Irkçılık-Turancılık Davası) in Turkey. He was accused of sympathizing with the Nazi government and plotting to overthrow the Turkish government to establish a Turanist state. Although initially convicted and imprisoned, he was later acquitted on appeal, but the trials significantly impacted his life and career.

What are some of his notable literary works?

Among his most famous works are the historical novels Deli Kurt (Mad Wolf), Bozkurtların Ölümü (The Death of the Grey Wolves), and its sequel Bozkurtlar Diriliyor (The Grey Wolves Are Resurrected). These works are celebrated for their nationalist themes, historical romanticism, and vivid portrayals of ancient Turkic life and heroism.