Ashes and Dreams: The Fire of Economic Independence
When the Republic of Turkey was born, the challenge was as great as the glory of victory: to build an economy from the ashes. The treasury was completely depleted, and industry was practically nonexistent. The young republic lacked the fabric to clothe its citizens, nor the thread to sew uniforms for its soldiers. All that remained were a few tired workshops. Almost a third of the population's clothing needs were met by imported goods. This wasn't just a matter of money; it was a matter of sovereignty. How could a nation that couldn't weave its own flag be truly independent?
Atatürk looked at this grim picture and uttered his historic words: "First, economic independence!" More than just a wish, this was the starting point for an industrial revolution that would transform the destiny of a nation. And the first spark of this revolution would be textiles.
First Dream, Then Reality: From Plan to Necessity
Every great journey begins with a map. Turkey's economic roadmap was drawn at the Izmir Economic Congress on February 17, 1923 , before the republic was even declared. The country's brightest minds gathered, and the decisions were clear: Everything whose raw materials we produced had to have factories within us. We would transition from small workshops to giant facilities, and banks would be established to provide capital for this endeavor.
In this spirit , the Industrial Encouragement Law was passed in 1927. Entrepreneurs were offered unimaginable support, from tax breaks to free land, but it was to no avail. Years of war had left the public with neither the money nor the technical know-how to invest. Coupled with the customs restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Lausanne and the subsequent global Great Depression of 1929, this first attempt foundered.
It became clear that this enormous burden could not be shouldered by the private sector alone. At that moment, the era of "statism," more than an ideology, began for Turkey. Since no one else could shoulder this burden, the state itself had to shoulder the burden.
Strategy on the Table: The "Three Whites" and a Rational Ally
With the state taking control, the First Five-Year Industrial Plan, Turkey's first major industrial initiative, was launched in 1934. The strategy was simple: Whatever we imported, we would produce it ourselves. Priorities were set as the "three whites" (flour, sugar, cotton) and the "three blacks" (coal, iron, oil) . Cotton, or textiles, took the lion's share of this list.
However, neither the capital nor the technology were sufficient for these massive investments. The Atatürk administration negotiated with the Soviet Union, which was unaffected by the global crisis at the time and was notable for its planned economy. This was a completely pragmatic and rational move. Soviet experts came to Türkiye and identified the most productive locations for factories. Furthermore, a critical $8 million loan, to be repaid with agricultural products, was secured. The state had such faith in this project that the budget, initially planned at 44 million lira, was increased to 100 million lira.
The Engine of the Revolution: Sümerbank Takes the Stage
To implement such a grandiose plan, a "conductor" was needed. That power was Sümerbank, named by Atatürk himself on July 11, 1933. Sümerbank was no ordinary institution; it was a veritable industrial superhero. It simultaneously provided loans like a bank, managed state-owned companies like a holding company, and built and operated factories from scratch like an industrialist.
Its mission was to modernize the worn-out facilities inherited from the Ottoman era, train the engineers and craftsmen the country needed, guide the private sector, and deliver its products to the public through its stores. Sümerbank was the embodiment of the Republic's industrialization dream.
The Giant Rising in the Heart of Anatolia: The Miracle of Kayseri
And so the first major project was launched: the Kayseri Cloth Factory. Its foundation was laid in 1934, and it began production in 1935, an incredible time for the time—just 16 months. This was the first major industrial facility built by the state itself, but it wasn't just a factory. Designed by Soviet architect Ivan Nikolaev, this structure was one of the world's most important examples of the Constructivist architecture of the period. Why Kayseri, not Istanbul or Izmir? Because the goal was to spread development throughout Anatolia. This facility, with its housing, schools, nurseries, a power plant that generated its own electricity, and social facilities, was practically a small, modern city. With over 2,100 employees, it became a driving force that transformed Kayseri from an agricultural city into an industrial one.
More Than a Factory: The Social Revolution Created by Nazilli
If Kayseri was a show of force, the Nazilli Printed Cloth Factory, opened by Atatürk himself on October 9, 1937, was a social project. Beyond being Turkey's first printed cloth factory, it was a "social factory" utopia. Its goal wasn't simply to produce fabric; it was to create the modern Turkish person.
The factory's amenities were a dream come true in those days: a cinema, a theater, balls where men and women danced together for the first time, a library, a bathhouse, and even a piano! The sports facilities were magnificent; everything from football fields and tennis courts to a boxing ring and a skating rink had been provided. This factory was a turning point, particularly for women's participation in social life. Thousands of women gained their economic freedom here. Nazilli was weaving not just fabrics, but a truly modern society.
The Language of Numbers: From Dependence to Independence
So, did all this massive effort pay off? The numbers don't lie. Textile imports, which stood at 51 million lira in 1927, had plummeted to 11.9 million lira by 1939. Domestic production, meanwhile, exploded. Between 1924 and 1929 alone, cotton production jumped from 70 tons to 3,773 tons. In wool textiles, exports quadrupled imports, effectively ending foreign dependency.
What was the secret to this success? They didn't just build factories. The state established a perfect system "from field to counter." They sourced the most productive cotton variety, "Akala," and distributed it to farmers. This effectively solved the factories' problem of quality raw materials.
Not Just a Fabric, But a "Style": Sümerbank Fashion
Sümerbank's impact wasn't limited to the economy; it was also a cultural and fashion revolution. Its mission was simple: to produce high-quality, modern, and affordable fabrics that everyone could afford. From school uniforms and curtains to civil servant jackets and casual dresses, Sümerbank fabrics have found their way into every aspect of life.
This wasn't a blind imitation of the West. Sümerbank trained its own Turkish designers and created unique patterns by blending world fashion with local Anatolian motifs. Thanks to state-run sewing courses, women began making their own clothes, a way of both saving money and expressing themselves. Wearing a dress made from Sümerbank fabric meant becoming part of the modern Republic.
A Heritage Beyond the Factory: People Weaving the Future
The textile boom of Atatürk's era is much more than a success story. The true legacy isn't the buildings constructed, but the industrial culture it created and the invaluable people it nurtured. Sümerbank became the country's "industrial school." The engineers, craftsmen, and technicians trained there would go on to establish Türkiye's massive private textile sector years later.
The state pioneered, paved the way, took risks, and handed the baton to the private sector. If Turkey is one of the world's largest textile producers today, its foundation lies in those bold steps taken in the 1930s. This is not just a story of economic development; it is a story of a nation reweaving its self-belief, stitch by stitch.
In the 102nd Anniversary of the Republic, We Proudly Weave That Legacy
The solid foundations laid then continue to flourish in these lands today. At ThinkWhite, we are inspired by that vast industrial heritage and the philosophy of self-sufficiency. Just as those first factories offered Anatolian women the value and economic freedom they deserve, we are proud to bring you every product brought to life by the skilled hands of our working women with the same faith and dedication.
