Turkish Modernization

Turkish modernization refers to the process by which Turkey transformed its society, politics, economy, and culture starting in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Influenced by Western ideas, technological advances, and reforms, Turkey shifted from an Ottoman Empire rooted in traditional and Islamic customs to a more secular, industrialized, and nationally unified nation-state. Key figures like Mustafa Kemal Atatürk led reforms that modernized education, law, women's rights, and infrastructure, aiming to create a cohesive, progressive society aligned with contemporary global standards. This process fundamentally reshaped Turkey’s identity and development path.