Cumhurbaşkanı İsmet İnönü’nün Karabük Ziyareti 1938
President Ismet Inönü’s Visit to Karabuk of 1938

Summary/Abstract: During the Industrial Revolution in Europe, the Ottoman Empire was dealing with serious internal and external issues, and had fallen behind European nations in terms of industrialization by early 20th century. In the early days of the Republic of Turkey, the government made great efforts aimed at narrowing this gap. Iron-steel industry became one of the focal points of the First Five-Year Industrial Development Plan. At the same time, the government made elaborate preparation before investing in this strategic area. With its largest deposits of coal in Turkey, the Zonguldak area stood out as the most convenient place for setting up the iron-steel industry. Due to security concerns, these factories were decided to be set up in Karabuk. The government made use of support from foreign experts and non-binding loans. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on 3 April 1937 with the participation of İsmet Inonu, the Prime Minister at the time. Inonu’s second visit to the premises was on 12 December 1938, this time as the President. This study focuses on İsmet Inonu’s a couple hour visit to Karabuk Iron-Steel Factory on 12 December 1938 and the problems the factory was faced with even before its commence. To this end, the considerations of the company undertaking the setting up of the factory put on the records in the British National Archives are examined.

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