What did Kemal believe about Western ways and ideas?

Answer 1

Simply put, Mustafa Kemal saw Western ways (once nuanced to work for the Turkish people) as the most efficacious way of making Turkey an independent and sovereign nation that could handle the modern world. Below are some of the many ways that he incorporated Western ideals into the Turkish State

1) Secularization: Unlike the previous Ottoman Rulers, Kemal firmly held that religion should have no sway in political matters. He abolished the Caliphate, which has never been restored, but was a very controversial matter at the time. He assisted in the passing of laws banning the hijaab and the fez, so as to Westernize patterns of dress.

2) Laws and Codes: Kemal used the Italian Penal Codes as a basis for new and more expansive Turkish Law. He considered the Islamic and Ottoman Laws as being outdated and oppressive. These new laws, in his opinion, allowed Turkey to progress into the Modern Era.

3) Education: Kemal brought Western analysts in to help him reform the educational system from being one based on Qu'ranic Memorization in Madrassas to a Western Occupation-Driven form of schooling. He reformed Universities and Primary Schools alike to prepare Turks for the Modern world.

4) Technology and Manufactures: Kemal invested heavily in improving regional technology, financing directives to build planes and automobiles. He also directed the private sector to make factories for textiles, sugar, paper and steel. Besides these, government owned power plants, banks, and newly established insurance companies. In addition, massive amounts of cotton were planted and cultivated throughout Turkey.

5) Diplomacy: Kemal saw international negotiation, a skilled Western tactic using Western institutions, as the best way to maintain peace abroad. He broached the subject of borders with the Greeks, Syrians, and British Iraqis using tact and poise. He preferred to sign documents than go with the traditional Ottoman response of "send in the Janissaries".