Özet:

This study addressed cotton production and cotton policies and their repercussions on the Turkish economy from the establishment of the Republic (1923) until the death of Ataturk (1938). The study covered the subject matter in six periods; (1) cotton production activities during the Ataturk era, (2) cotton trade, (3) research on cotton seeds, (4) national and international communications, congresses and meetings on cotton, (5) cotton-related cooperation activities and (6) control of pests in cotton. Numerical data were collected from the Presidency Republican Archive Documents, Memorandum Diary of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, laws and minutes books, Official Gazette of the Republic of Turkey, annual statistics and articles in journals on economy and periodicals. The study also assessed global developments in cotton production. The results are as follows: Although there were considerable efforts to increase cotton production and export after the declaration of the Republic, prices fell by half due to the Great Depression (1929-1939), which, therefore, had a negative impact on the development of the cotton industry. On the other hand, establishment of cooperatives and associations, production of Akala and Cleveland seed species, congresses and meetings and insecticide treatments against pests in cotton expanded production volume of cotton, which, in turn, made significant contributions to the national economy.

Anahtar Kelimeler: