Abstract:

This study aims to determine the reflections of history and history education policies in the Samsun press in creating national identity during Atatürk’s Era. The foundation on which the Republic of Turkey is based was put into practice even during the National Struggle, and after the war, it was tried to be reinforced with constant reforms. It was seen that there were essential changes in the view of history and raising citizens from the first years of the Republic as compared to the Ottoman Empire. A national understanding of history was adopted instead of the ummah understanding of the Ottoman Empire at the beginning and the understanding of dynastic history that it had later. The important days and weeks of the newly established state were determined, and important figures that left their mark on Turkish history were brought to the front. The effort was made to establish the shared values of the Turkish nation by emphasizing what kind of Turkish identity they should have. It is essential to revive the collective and historical memory while creating these shared values, which are tried to be achieved through the press, especially newspapers. Document analysis was used in the study, one of the qualitative research methods. Newspapers, one of the written materials, are essential sources in revealing the policies of the period. The study examined the Newspaper “Ahali,” which began its publication life in Samsun in 1917 and continued its publication life in the Republic's first years. In the Newspaper “Ahali” between 1932-1937, there are many articles and news about the national identity and culture desiring to be reached with the mission attributed to history and history education that reflects the politics of that period. It has been determined that Ahali Newspaper supported the history education and national identity understanding of the period, and there were various articles and news in this direction.

Keywords: