Abstrakt
The last coup attempt on July 15, 2016 can be considered a key milestone for contemporary Turkish history. It influenced Turkish politics, society or foreign relations.
Moreover, it gave space for creation of a new national myth and interpretation of Turkish history. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used the events of July 15 to redefine who is Turk based on national sentiment, relation to history and Islam.
The main goal of this paper is to show how Erdogan interprets July 15 in his political discourse as a new War for Independence and an opportunity to "purify" the definition of the Turkish nation. The main argument is that Erdogan uses the image of July 15 to create new understanding of who is Turk and who is the Other; and to build his own image as a "new father of Turkey" through this new definition of Turkish nation.
In Erdogan's rhetoric, the right Turk is only the one who accept official interpretation of July 15 as a new War of Independence, and the Others are Erdogan's critisc, supporters of terrorists and foes of Turkey. Be part of Turkish nation started to be a political choice - support or opposite president Erdogan and his policy.
This presentation summarizes the main arguments Erdogan uses in his political discourse to create new Turk in the context of July 15 events.