Atatürk's Revolutions: Social Sphere Transformations

Introduction

  • Social revolutions in Turkey aimed to reorganize societal life, establish Western living standards, and simplify relations with Western states.

  • These revolutions sought to surpass contemporary civilizations, largely drawing inspiration from the West, with some adaptations specific to Turkey.

Revolutions in the Social Sphere

Changes in Dress Code

  • The rationale was that public attire was not nationalistic, and a more civilized appearance was needed.

  • Modern clothing was promoted as a symbol of progress and a break from the Ottoman past.

  • August 24, 1925: Kastamonu and İnebolu.

  • September 2, 1925: Officials were told not to wear hats.

  • November 25, 1925: Hat Law was enacted.

  • September 2, 1925: A decision banned non-religious figures from wearing cloaks to ensure a civilized appearance and prevent the misuse of religion.

  • December 3, 1934: Wearing religious garments was restricted to places of worship, excluding the highest religious officials.

Closure of Tekkes, Zaviyes, and Türbes (Sufi lodges)

  • Tekke: A Sufi order's residence, worship place, and ritual center.

  • Zaviye: A small Sufi lodge or monastery.

  • Türbe: A structure containing the tomb of a notable person.

  • August 30, 1925: Atatürk stated that Turkey could not be the homeland of shaikhs, dervishes, disciples, and ecstatic individuals, emphasizing civilization as the true path.

  • Law accepted on November 30, 1925:

    • Tekkes, Zaviyes, and Türbes were closed.

    • Tekkes and Zaviyes used as mosques and prayer places were untouched.

    • Türbes of great statesmen and scholars were open to the public.

    • The use of titles like Shaykh, Dervish, Disciple, Elder, Seyyid, Chalabi, Father, Caliph, Fortuneteller, Sorcerer, Amulet maker, and Tomb keeper, along with related attire, was prohibited.

Changes in Calendar, Clocks, Measurements, and Numbers

  • Ottoman Empire:

    • Hijri calendar for daily life, Rumi calendar for official transactions.

    • The Rumi calendar's new year started on March 1.

    • Friday was the day off.

    • Alaturka (Ezani) time system considered sunset as 12 o'clock.

    • Arab numerals were used.

    • Units of length and weight included okka, arşın, endaze, and çeki.

  • Starting January 1, 1926:

    • The Gregorian calendar replaced the Hijri and Rumi calendars.

    • The international clock was adopted.

    • The weekend was reorganized, with Sunday as the day off.

  • In 1931, a law replaced old length and weight measurements with international standards like meter and kilogram.

  • The adoption of international time, calendar, numerals, and measurements facilitated unity and easier relations with contemporary states.

Acceptance of the Surname Law

  • June 21, 1934: The Surname Law required every Turk to have a family surname.

  • Aimed to create a fused Turkish nation without distinctions and remove barriers to modernization.

  • Resolved confusions in individual-state relationships.

  • November 24, 1934: Mustafa Kemal was given the surname "ATATÜRK."

Determination of National Holidays and Vacation Days

  • April 23, 1921: April 23 was officially accepted as Sovereignty and National Unity Day, commemorating Turkish independence.

  • May 27, 1935: The "National Holidays and Public Holidays Act" was enacted.

    • Turkey's national holiday is Republic Day.

    • General holidays include Victory Day, National Sovereignty and Children's Day, May 19 Youth and Sports Day, Sugar Feast, Sacrifice Feast, and New Year's Day.

    • The weekly day off was designated as Sunday.

Acceptance of Women’s Rights

  • Pre-Islamic Turkish communities:

    • Women and men were equal.

    • Women had rights in family life and state administration.

    • Monogamous marriage was essential.

    • The home was joint property.

    • Parents had equal rights regarding children.

    • Women held a superior position and participated in political life.

    • Women participated in the assembly convened for the election of the Khan and some important state affairs.

    • In diplomatic receptions, war and peace councils, the wife of the Khan, known as 'hatun,' would be present alongside the ruler.

  • Ottoman State (based on religious law):

    • Women were deprived of many rights.

    • They were not included in the population census.

    • They were required to cover their faces with a veil.

    • Men could marry four women.

    • There was no age limit for marriage.

    • All practices favored men.

    • Women could not participate in male society.

    • There was a system of separate quarters for men and women on public transportation.

    • Women worked only at home.

    • There was no place for women in the working life.

  • With the establishment of the new Turkish state, Turkish women gained their rightful place in society.

    • April 3, 1930: Women gained the right to vote and run for office in municipal elections.

    • October 26, 1933: Women gained the right to participate in village headman (muhtarlık) elections.

    • December 5, 1934: Women gained the right to vote and run for office in parliamentary elections.

Conclusion

  • Mustafa Kemal Atatürk implemented social revolutions to integrate Turkey with idealized civilization values while preserving the traditional social structure.

  • These social innovations during the Republic era gradually enlightened society through scientific and cultural harmony with Western nations.

  • The modernization in the West became a characteristic of the Turkish nation.

  • Progress achieved during the Atatürk era could not be sustained to the same extent after his death.

Question examples

The transcript includes question examples for exam preparation, such as rights Turkish women had earlier than European counterparts, political revolutions, invitation to London Conference and Lausanne Peace Negotiations, social innovations during the Atatürk Era, and events related to the Mudanya Armistice.