Blog #9

Compare and Contrast Reza Shah and Mustafa Kemal "Attaturk"

There are many similarities and differences to be made between these two famous Middle Eastern leaders. Both of these leaders wanted to Westernize their respective countries. This meant reform in not only the government but culture and life style as well. Both leaders forced their women to unveil. This would inevitably draw praise and negative criticism from different sections of the population. While popular with some people unveiling was vastly unpopular amongst the religious figures of the country, or Ulema. Both leaders decided to reform education. Secular education was the route that both leaders chose to take in this reform. Both leaders also mandated that the citizens of the country to take new last names.
Differences in the reforms are also clearly visible throughout their history. Reza Shah decided to implement a french civil code while Mustafa Kemal instituted a Swiss civil code. Reza shah mandated a new mens style of cloathing while Mustafa Kemal gave women the right to vote. Another major theme, in my opinion was the downplay of religion for different reasons within the two empires. While I believe that Reza Shahs main goal during the downplay of religion was in order to gain more power from the Ulema, Attaturk chose to down play religion more for the purpose of culture and in order to nationalize Turkey even further from their Ottoman roots.