Reformation of Ataturk

Atatürk undertook a series of reforms to raise Turkey to a level of modern civilized country. These reforms can be grouped under five basic titles:

Political Reforms

·         The Sultanate was abolished

·         The Republic was declared

·         Abolishment of the caliph

 Social Reforms

·         Recognition of equal rights of men and women . The legal position of women and their place in society in the new republic was greatly improved for example the active and passive voting right at national and local elections.

·         Reform of Headgear and Dress.

·         Closure of mausoleums and dervish lodges, closing of sacred tombs as places of worship. 

·         The surname law.

·         Adoption of the solar calendar and changing Friday.

·         International numeric system was introduced.

·         Adoption of international hours and measurements.

·         The nicknames and personal titles were abolished.

Legal Reforms

·         Abolishment of the religious courts.

·         Implementation of secular law structure nationwide by adoption of Turkish. Civil Code and Swiss civil laws. Penal Statute Book and the Trade Law Book were also introduced.

·         The liberation of the women of Turkey by giving them political and social rights-
 Rights brought with "Medeni Kanun” and rights for women to be elected for the parliament.

Reforms in the fields of Education and Culture

·         Unification of education, Abolition of Medreses, renovations of school programs according to contemporary and national needs, opening of new universities. 

·         Adoption of new Turkish alphabet and purification of Turkish language from foreign words.

·         Establishment of Turkish Language and History Institution.

·         Regulation of the university education.

·         Innovations in fine arts.

 Economic Reforms

·         Abolition of tithe.

·         Encouragement of the farmers.

·         Establishment of model farms.

·         Establishment of industrial facilities, and putting into effect a law for Incentives for the Industry.

·         Putting into effect I^st and II^nd Development Plans, to develop transportation networks.