Secularization of Turkey
The Secularization of Turkey was achieved by a great help from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and his reforms. His reforms were very important for the salvation and survival of his people. Ataturk was the first president of Turkey and helped modernize and westernize Turkey.
The Ottoman Empire believed in a sultan, much like a monarch or absolute ruler, who was the head of state and head of government. He was the political, military, judicial, social, and religious leader. Vahdettin was the last sultan of the Ottomam Empire because in 1922 Mustafa Kemal Ataturk abolished the sultanate and the caliphate in 1924.
Modernization & Westernization
After ridding of the sultan and the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne, Ataturk focused on modernizing and secularizing the country. He studied Western governments and readjusted it to fit for Turkey and its people. Without a religious leader, they brought attention to science and questioned religion. Establishment of secularism in Turkey was not, as it had been in the West, a gradual process of separation of church and state. They removed religion from the public but they were allowed to
practice whichever religion in the privacy of their home. Along with the removal of religion, Ataturk replaced the Arabic alphabet with a Latin one, introduced anew calendar, and urged people to dress in Western clothes. New laws created egal equality between the sexes; women were discouraged to wear veils and had the right to vote. Fezzes were outlawed in exchange of hats, and ballroom dancing at functions was promoted.
Ataturk’s reforms were known as Kemalism. It had six major points which were republicanism, nationalism, populism, reformism, statism, and secularism. A new constitution was made in 1924 which gave representative power to the people, and it also guaranteed basic civil rights. Ataturk was believed to be advancing the country with his new reforms and laws, but his people did take some time to come around.
"Ataturk’s Reforms." Ataturk’s Reforms. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
"Islam in Turkey." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Mar. 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
"Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
"Treaties of Sèvres and Lausanne." Treaties of Sèvres and Lausanne. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
The Ottoman Empire believed in a sultan, much like a monarch or absolute ruler, who was the head of state and head of government. He was the political, military, judicial, social, and religious leader. Vahdettin was the last sultan of the Ottomam Empire because in 1922 Mustafa Kemal Ataturk abolished the sultanate and the caliphate in 1924.
Modernization & Westernization
After ridding of the sultan and the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne, Ataturk focused on modernizing and secularizing the country. He studied Western governments and readjusted it to fit for Turkey and its people. Without a religious leader, they brought attention to science and questioned religion. Establishment of secularism in Turkey was not, as it had been in the West, a gradual process of separation of church and state. They removed religion from the public but they were allowed to
practice whichever religion in the privacy of their home. Along with the removal of religion, Ataturk replaced the Arabic alphabet with a Latin one, introduced anew calendar, and urged people to dress in Western clothes. New laws created egal equality between the sexes; women were discouraged to wear veils and had the right to vote. Fezzes were outlawed in exchange of hats, and ballroom dancing at functions was promoted.
Ataturk’s reforms were known as Kemalism. It had six major points which were republicanism, nationalism, populism, reformism, statism, and secularism. A new constitution was made in 1924 which gave representative power to the people, and it also guaranteed basic civil rights. Ataturk was believed to be advancing the country with his new reforms and laws, but his people did take some time to come around.
"Ataturk’s Reforms." Ataturk’s Reforms. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
"Islam in Turkey." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Mar. 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
"Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
"Treaties of Sèvres and Lausanne." Treaties of Sèvres and Lausanne. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.