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The Reforms Of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

Son güncelleme: 03.06.2011 13:28
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  • THE REFORMS OF ATATÜRK


    Atatürk was a military genius, a charismatic leader, also a
    comprehensive reformer. It was important at the time for the Republic of
    Turkey to be modernised in order to progress towards the level of
    contemporary civilizations and to be an active member of the culturally
    developed communities. Mustafa Kemal modernised the life of his country.
    Atatürk introduced reforms which he considered of vital importance for the
    salvation and survival of his people between 1924- 1938. These reforms
    were enthusiastical ly d by the Turkish people.


    The Reform of the Alphabet

    One of the most important reforms of Atatürk was the abolition of the use
    of the Arabic alphabet and the adoption of the Latin alphabet. On the 3rd
    of November 1928, the new Turkish Alphabet was adopted.


    The Clothing Reform

    With the clothing reform, women stopped wearing veils; they started to
    wear modern women's clothing. Men started to wear hats rather than the
    fez.

    The Secularisation of the Legal System

    The new Turkish State founded in 1920 required a new legal system. Atatürk
    adopted the Swiss Civil Code as a substitute for Canonical Law (Şeriat
    Kanunu) and instead of the penal code then in force, introduced the
    Italian Penal Code of that time. The Tur kish Legal System was modernised
    in accordance with contemporary requirements.

    The Secularisation of Education

    Until the beginning of the 19th century, several educational systems were
    used in the Ottoman Empire. Atatürk observed that the systems used in
    Muslim seminaries school did not meet the needs of the new society. It
    was essential to establish a new educa tional system similar to the
    western models. Thus, the existing system was changed. In 1933 a
    university reform was introduced.


    Civil Rights for Women

    With the reforms of Atatürk, Turkish women, who for centuries had been
    neglected, were given new rights. Thus with the civil code passed, Turkish
    women would now have the same rights as men, could be appointed to
    official posts, would have the right t o vote and to be elected to
    Parliament. The monogamy principle and equal rights for women changed the
    spirit of Turkish society.


    Atatürk's Works on Turkish History

    Following the reform of the script, which was meant to be a kind of
    nationalism in the cultural field, Atatürk concentrated his attention on
    history. He established the Turkish Historical Society in 1931. Here,
    Turkey's history was thoroughly examined an d evaluated.

    The New Calendar, Weights and Measures, Holidays and Surname Laws
    Many other reforms were achieved as well. An example of this is the
    Weekend Act of 1924, the International Time and Calendar System of 1925,
    the Obligation Law and Commercial Law of 1926, the System of Measures 1933
    and the Surname Act, 1934. According to the law passed by the Grand
    National Assembly in 1932 Turks took surnames and the Nation's leader was
    given the surname of Atatürk, "Father of the Turks".
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