İnönü and his family in more peaceful days
Born on September 24th of 1884 in Izmir as Mustafa İsmet Pascha, since 1934 known as İsmet İnönü, is the long-term (1923-37) minister president of Turkey, for the Kemalist Republican People's (only) Party (Terakkiperver Cumhuriyet Fırkası, CHP), and since the death of legendary State founder Kemal Atatürk its President. He still tries to keep out of World War II, so he tries to play off Nazi Germany (represented by Ex-chancellor Franz von Papen), the Soviet Union, and the British Empire against each other. Since the attack of Italy on Albania on April 7th in 1939, Ankara tried to approach London and Paris, which resulted in France ceding the Republic of Hatay, so far a part of Syria, to Turkey. On October 8th in 1939, alliances with Great Britain and France were signed.
He already was a General of the Ottoman Empire, fought in the First World War together with the German General Liman von Sanders and defeated the Greeks in the two battles of İnönü in January and March/April 1921 in the Greco-Turkish War (1919-23) - hence he adopted this Name. After becoming President, he received the Title "National Chief/Leader" („Millî Şef“). Opponents criticize his cult of personality.
He further strengthened Laicism against Islam, by reducing the influence of the Imams in the State.
Ankara becoming the new capital had been his suggestion.
During the Ararat Rebellion had he the Army kill several thousand Kurds on July 12th/13th 1930.
He is very educated and speaks fluent Arab, German, English, and French.