Unit 8: Tensions Between Traditional Cultures and Modernization

Ataturk's Fashion Police

Turkey’s restrictions on wearing overtly religious-oriented attire are rooted in the founding of the modern, secular Turkish state, when the republic’s founding father, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, introduced a series of clothing regulations designed to keep religious symbolism out of the civil service. The regulations were part of a sweeping series of reforms that altered virtually every aspect of Turkish life—from the civil code to the alphabet to education to social integration of the sexes.

The Western dress code at that time, though, was aimed at men. The fez—the short, conical, red-felt cap that had been in vogue [fashion] in Turkey since the Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II made it part of the official national attire in 1826—was banished. Atatürk himself famously adopted a Panama hat to accent his Westernstyle gray linen suit, shirt, and tie when he toured the country in the summer of 1925 to sell his new ideas to a deeply conservative population. That autumn, the Hat Law of 1925 was passed, making European-style men’s headwear de rigueur [fashionable] and punishing fez-wearers with lengthy sentences of imprisonment at hard labor, and even a few hangings. . . .

According to this article by Roff Smith, the goal of Atatürk’s reforms was to

• prevent the elimination of the civil service system

• implement a legal system based on religious teachings

• revive Turkey’s interest in Ottoman-era customs

• modernize Turkey in the image of European nations

Ataturk's Fashion Police

Turkey’s restrictions on wearing overtly religious-oriented attire are rooted in the founding of the modern, secular Turkish state, when the republic’s founding father, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, introduced a series of clothing regulations designed to keep religious symbolism out of the civil service. The regulations were part of a sweeping series of reforms that altered virtually every aspect of Turkish life—from the civil code to the alphabet to education to social integration of the sexes.

The Western dress code at that time, though, was aimed at men. The fez—the short, conical, red-felt cap that had been in vogue [fashion] in Turkey since the Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II made it part of the official national attire in 1826—was banished. Atatürk himself famously adopted a Panama hat to accent his Westernstyle gray linen suit, shirt, and tie when he toured the country in the summer of 1925 to sell his new ideas to a deeply conservative population. That autumn, the Hat Law of 1925 was passed, making European-style men’s headwear de rigueur [fashionable] and punishing fez-wearers with lengthy sentences of imprisonment at hard labor, and even a few hangings. . . .

The phrases “deeply conservative population,” “lengthy sentences of imprisonment,” and “a few hangings” suggest that

• Atatürk’s reforms were eagerly embraced throughout Turkey

• tensions existed between reformers and traditionalists in Turkey

• the policy of westernization was abandoned by the Turkish government

• most Turks preferred punishment to rapid change

Which leader’s political legacy most directly influenced the situation shown in this 2004 cartoon?

• Ayatollah Khomeini

• Slobodan Milošević

• Augusto Pinochet

• Kemal Atatürk

What is the main idea of this 2004 cartoon?

• Iran continues to build its modern infrastructure.

• Iran is experiencing tensions between tradition and modernity.

• Extensive ballot choices have weakened democracy in Iran

• Theocracy is the best form of government for Iran to adopt.

Based on this cartoon, which concept influenced Kemal Atatürk’s development of New Turkey?

• laissez-faire

• modernization

• communism

• zionism

Which event led to Kemal Atatürk’s development of New Turkey?

• fall of the Ottoman Empire

• rise of the Soviet Union

• unification of Germany

• creation of a Jewish homeland

Based on this passage, what conclusion can be made regarding the tensions between tradition and modernity in Iran?

• Before the revolution, the Pahlavis encouraged people to stay within traditional Islamic norms.

• The new theocratic government encouraged modernity and the expansion of rights.

• Ayatollah Khomeini’s revolutionaries favored a more traditional patriarchal society

• After the revolution, movement toward modernity was hindered by limitations placed on males in Iranian society

Based on this passage, how did the 1979 Iranian Revolution affect the lives of women?

• The legal age for marriage was raised to the age of 18.

• Women were first granted the right to run for parliament and help create laws.

• The Family Protection Law allowed women to petition for divorce.

• Women’s legal rights became more limited with the dismantling of Family Courts.

Which change resulted from Kemal Atatürk’s actions described in this passage?

• adoption of anti-Semitism

• rejection of modernization

• westernization of Turkey

• promotion of Islamic traditions

Which claim is best supported by the evidence in this passage?

• Reforms were not universally accepted

• Freedom of dress was allowed in schools.

• Respect was given to middle-class women

• Clothing styles were considered unimportant