The Kurdish movement in Turkey from 1921 until the present

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Towson University Graduate Theses and Dissertations

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2012-04-19

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theses
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Towson University. Social Sciences Program

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Abstract

In my thesis I have conducted a historical research that focuses on the Kurdish ethno-nationalist movement in Turkey starting from 1921 until the present. I focus on the varied reactions of the Kurdish citizens of Turkey to the changing socio-political circumstances, the policies of the government, and its ideology concerning the minority groups and their rights. I have analyzed the causes of the ethnic conflict following a historical pattern. The responses of the Kurdish citizens of Turkey to the government's policies and ideology have varied from political involvement to mass violence. I propose possible solutions to the problem. I have distinguished a historical pattern for the Kurdish movement and analyzed the important events that shaped both the movement itself and the Turkish government's ideology and policies. I have distinguished four different periods of times concerning the evolution of the "Kurdish problem" in Turkey. These are: Nation Building process and the Kurdish Revolts (1923-1946), multi-party period and how it affected the Kurds from 1946 until the resurrection of the violent and terrorist organization, the PKK. After analyzing the PKK, its methods, structures and ideology, from 1999 until the present, I study the changing policies of the Turkish government with the hope of entering the European Union.