Mustafa Kemal Pasha was born in a poor family of Turkey. With his own efforts and sincerity, he himself became a great man of Turkey and also made his country prosperous and progressive like other nations of Europe.
He was, therefore, called ‘Ataturk’ or the ‘Father of Turkey’. He started his career as a cruel and merciless but brave soldier. When he became the President of the Republic of Turkey, the economic, social and religious condition of Turkey was miserable.
He, with sincere efforts, transformed Turkey from a backward oriental society into a westernized community. But he knew very well that such overhauling of the country was quite impossible without a strong government in the centre.
He, therefore, established dictatorship in the country for a few years. But his dictatorship was, by all means, in the interests of the people, society and the nation.
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His ultimate aim was to achieve the lost prestige of Turkey in the international field and to advance her in the field of trade, commerce, agriculture, social condition etc.
According to him, the people should take interest in their jobs only. They should not participate in the politics of the country. He himself declared:
“For some time let the people remain away from politics. They should take interest in agriculture, trade and industry. Now at present for the coming ten or fifteen years I have to rule the country. It is possible that after that I may be in a position to grant the freedom of speech to my people.”
Kemal Pasha was, in the real sense, the unquestioned leader and arbiter of the fate of the people of Turkey. In spite of the severe opposition of the extremist Mullas and Maulavis, Kemal Pasha introduced several reforms in the country.
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He ordered the Turks to abandon the picturesque fez and use the hat. Much liberty was granted to the women. Polygamy and the Purdah system were completely abolished. They were given the right to vote and also the right of candidacy to the National Assembly.
In the elections of 1935, seventeen women were elected as the members of the National Assembly. Sunday I was declared a holiday in place of Zuma (Friday). The provision was made to write the Turkish language in the Latin alphabet.
Sincere efforts were made to improve the economic condition of Turkey by introducing several reforms in the field of agriculture, industry, transport and communications. New judicial system was implemented.
The capital of Turkey was transferred from Constantinople to Ankara. In this way, Kemal Pasha carried out complete westernization of Turkey. With his efforts, he made his country a prosperous, progressive, independent and strong nation of Europe.