Historiography as a Tool for Nationbuilding: The Case of Turkey

Abstract

Almost every country in the world is based upon nationalism. Some are based on a spiritual unity, while others focus on an ethnic or racial background. In all of these theories, there is the element of creating an unity through the process of nation-building. In this process, one can use multiple sources. Among these are songs, poems, writings, historiography and much more. In particular the case of historiography is emphasized in this article as historiography can be best implemented by using history text books for education. In this way, generations of school children can enjoy historiography that will make them grow into a unity with their fellow countrymen. In the case of Turkey, this tool of historiography is used to depict a new nation. I argue that this image of the nation is not based upon ethnicity, racial background, nor even linguistics or religion but mainly on geography. And in order to create a geographical basis, historiography was used as a tool to promote the military glorification of Anatolia. The strong focus on Anatolia also meant neglecting other geographical regions, of which the Balkans seem to be the most neglected, due to the military humilitation the Turks encounted in those regions.