Reforms of Ataturk (Kamalism)

Historical Background:
Turkey remained citadel of the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire for many centuries in the past. Its pristine hegemony declined gradually especially during nineteenth century. Western imperialism through intrigues and diplomatic techniques infused disruption in the Muslim Ummah with the object to destabilize and annex Muslim territories. The secular and the anti-Islamic elements got organized under the banner of Arab Nationalism in pursuance of their own goals.

During World War I, Turkey was an ally of Germany. Its territorial integrity got setback as a result of defeat in the World War. Consequently, it lost not only its dependencies in the Middle East, but was deprived of certain purely Turkish territories at the hands of the western nations. Some of these parts of Turkey were liberated by the Turkish forces under the command of Kemal Ataturk. He became the national hero and got developed the cult of his personality. Imprints of his thinking later dominated and shaped the socio-political life of modern Turkey.

Ataturk introduced multi-dimensional changes in all spheres of life for the purpose of national reconstruction and development. These reforms aimed not only at the material advancement but focused at the nourishment of progressive thinking and inculcation of new secular values as well. He was deadly opposed to the adoption of conventional life style which reflected religious thinking. Consequently, Ataturk initiated anti-religious policies in order to uproot the conventional attitudes and stagnation. An important step in this direction was the shifting of the capital from Istanbul to Ankara.

Ataturk was elected by the Grand National Assembly as head of the state and invested with absolute powers. He pronounced the following principles as the basis of the new order: Republicanism, Secularism, Turkish Nationalism, Revolutionary reforms and ascendancy of the popular will. He introduced various reforms in pursuance of these declared objectives.


1. Secularization:
Anti-religious activities were encouraged during the Secularization of the society while whole process of revolutionary changes under official patronage, explicitly manifested anti-religious trends. Turkey was declared a secular state and Islam discarded as state religion in 1928. The long-standing traditional institution of “Khilafat” was also abolished which symbolized the unity of Muslim Ummah. The last Ottoman Caliph was put in exile and on 3rd March 1924, the abolition of Caliphate was approved by the Turkish Grand Assembly. Sunday was replaced by Friday as weekly holiday; all religious institutions and Madaras were deprived of official patronage and denied financial grants.

Arabic script got substituted by Latin One in 1928 while many constraints were put on the promotion and publication of Arabic literature. It is to be noted that the Constitution of 1945 was written in Latin Language. The so-called progressive elite and self-styled intellectuals attributed all ills of the contemporary Turkish society and the miseries confronted by the people to religious past of Turkey.


2. Changes in Legal System:
In his drive for Europeanization of the society, Ataturk abolished the whole system of Shariat Courts and replaced Shariat laws with European code. Civil law of Switzerland was adopted and given name as Turkish civil code, replacing Muslim law of inheritance, family laws and other aspects of personal law. The Criminal Law of Italy and Commercial Law of Germany were assimilated in the respective codes of Turkish Law. The principle of “Rule of Law” borrowed from British Legal System, however, ensured to some extent, the protection of fundamental rights.


3. Direction of Social Change:
The cultural patterns and lifestyle of the Turkish Society was remodeled. Women folk were ensured equal rights in all walks of life with men and their active participation in public life encouraged. They were recruited in civil services on large scale. They were required to wear Western dress and discard “Burqa”. Polygamy was disallowed. The wearing of traditional dress by Turkish men was discouraged and many constraints were put on it. They were not allowed to wear Turkish cap. All the government servants were ordered to wear European dress along with hat. European calendar replaced “Qamri” calendar. During this drive for secularism and modernism, Ataturk was fully supported by the military while the secular elements and so-called progressive intelligentia also sided with the regime.


4. Economic Development:
Economic system, under “Malukiat”, of course, remained stagnant, hence resulting in unfair distribution of wealth and economic backwardness. None of the positive steps could be taken in the field of trade and industry whereas the contemporary Western civilization had made tremendous advancements in the field of science and technology. Ataturk paid special attention to the issue of economic uplift of the society and introduced reforms in industry and agriculture. A comprehensive economic planning was launched aiming at the improvement ion the commercial and agricultural output. Mineral resources were exploited and divergent schemes, attracting investments in industry floated. Certain big industries were put under state ownership. Barter system was encouraged as a principle in respect of extending trade links with other nations.


5. Administrative Reforms:
State administration was remodeled on modern lines and central governmental control made more effective. For administrative convenience, the whole territory was divided into new provinces, districts and in other small administrative units. The role of civil-military bureaucracy was imperative in promoting administrative output. Nevertheless, bureaucratic elite adopted European life style with full orientation to Western values and became allergic of oriental values. This class vehemently executed all reforms in letter and spirit with a missionary zeal.


6. Changes in Political System:
Ataturk paid much attention to the promotion of national solidarity, attainment of political stability and adopted a policy of administrative centralism. In foreign affairs, he acted on the principle of Peaceful Coexistence and the promotion of good relations with other countries. His main concern was the promotion of internal peace and advancement in all directions. Turkey under Ataturk, strengthened ties of friendship even with those Western European countries who has been its enemies during World War I. the same policy was adopted in promoting cordial relations with countries of Eastern Europe.

Political system remained autocratic under Ataturk as he ruled arbitrarily. The opponents were crushed and their political activities banned. Religious elements, specifically became the target of brutality of the ruling Junta, as they were deprived even of their fundamental rights. Anti Islamic policies were enforced in the guise of secularism. They consciously obstructed the way of all such efforts as indicated policy of revulsion to religious past.