THE 1934 SETTLEMENT LAW: AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE THE POPULATION HOMOGENEOUS IN THE EARLY REPUBLICAN PERIOD

Abstract

In this study, the 1934 Settlement Law is examined. The law in question is one of the most important legal regulations of the single party period. Through this law, the ruling cadre of the early republican period primarily wanted to deal with the issue of settling masses, who migrated or would migrate from abroad. In addition to that motive, security concerns caused by riots in territories where Kurds live densely are also among the main reasons of making the law.  Hence, the provisions of the law on mandatory displacements are noteworthy. There are also social and economical goals, such as increasing the population and agricultural production in the country. Besides all these reasons, it is aimed to homogenize the population of the country in terms of culture and language as well. In this regard, the ruling cadre planned to increase the efficiency and the control of the central state on the population as much as possible. In this respect, it should be noted that the Settlement Law is a very comprehensive text which was issued to achieve multiple purposes simultaneously for the  population.