The past and present of Turhal city on the axis of Turhal Sugar Factory

This thesis examines the socio-economic and cultural transformation of the city of Turhal through the lens of the Turhal Sugar Factory, which has played a significant role in Turkey's industrialization process since its establishment in 1934. The factory's foundation not only contributed to the development of sugar production policies in early Republican Turkey but also served as a catalyst for modernization and urbanization in a provincial setting. Within the scope of the study, the strategic importance of sugar factories during the early Republican economic development initiatives is discussed, with a particular focus on the Turhal Sugar Factory's founding motivations, institutional structure, production processes, and its evolution over time. The impact of the factory on the demographic structure of Turhal, migration patterns, employment, education, and social life is analyzed through historical documents, archival sources, local media, and oral history interviews. The thesis also investigates the effects of the factory's privatization process on the local population, exploring how economic shifts have influenced urban identity and collective memory. In this context, the Turhal Sugar Factory is evaluated not merely as an industrial facility but as a central actor in the city's historical and social development. In conclusion, this study aims to shed light on how an industrial enterprise can shape urban dynamics, contributing to local development, modernization, and social transformation. Keywords: Turhal, Sugar Factory, Industrialization, Urbanization, Social Change