4.2 Nation-building in Turkey, Iran, and the Arab states

The interwar period saw major nation-building efforts in Turkey, Iran, and Arab states. Leaders like Atatürk and Reza Shah pushed modernization, secularization, and nationalism to forge new national identities and strengthen their countries against foreign influence.

These reforms reshaped societies but also sparked tensions. While some embraced Westernization and secularism, others resisted changes to traditional religious and cultural practices. This period laid foundations for modern Middle Eastern states and ongoing debates about identity and governance.

Turkey and Kemalism

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's Rise and Reforms

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• Mustafa Kemal Atatürk emerged as a national hero after leading Turkish forces in the War of Independence
• Atatürk became the first president of the newly established Republic of Turkey in 1923
• Implemented sweeping reforms to modernize Turkey includes abolishing the Ottoman sultanate and caliphate
• Introduced a new constitution in 1924 establishing Turkey as a secular republic
• Adopted Western-style legal codes replacing Islamic law
• Launched literacy campaigns and reformed the education system

Principles of Kemalism and Secularization

• Kemalism consists of six main principles guiding Turkey's development (republicanism, nationalism, populism, statism, secularism, and reformism)
• Republicanism emphasized democratic governance and popular sovereignty
• Nationalism promoted Turkish identity and unity over religious or ethnic divisions
• Populism stressed equality among citizens and the importance of social justice
• Statism advocated for state-led economic development and industrialization
• Secularism separated religion from state affairs and education
• Reformism encouraged continuous modernization and adaptation to global changes
• Secularization efforts included abolishing religious courts, closing religious schools, and banning traditional Islamic dress in public institutions
• Latin alphabet replaced the Arabic script to increase literacy and Westernize Turkish culture
• Women's rights expanded granting suffrage and encouraging participation in public life

Iran and the Pahlavis

Reza Shah Pahlavi's Modernization Efforts

• Reza Shah Pahlavi rose to power in 1925 after overthrowing the Qajar dynasty
• Launched ambitious modernization programs inspired by Atatürk's reforms in Turkey
• Centralized government authority and weakened the power of tribal leaders and clergy
• Developed modern infrastructure includes building roads, railways, and factories
• Established a national education system and founded the University of Tehran in 1935
• Implemented dress code reforms banning traditional clothing like the veil for women
• Promoted Persian nationalism and pre-Islamic cultural heritage to forge a distinct national identity
• Pursued foreign policy of neutrality and reduced British and Russian influence in Iran

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and the White Revolution

• Mohammad Reza Pahlavi succeeded his father as Shah in 1941 after Allied occupation of Iran
• Launched the White Revolution in 1963 a series of reforms aimed at modernizing Iran
• Land reform redistributed large landholdings to peasants and reduced the power of traditional elites
• Nationalization of forests and pastureland to improve natural resource management
• Privatization of state-owned enterprises to encourage economic growth and foreign investment
• Women's suffrage granted and efforts made to increase women's participation in society
• Literacy corps established to improve education in rural areas
• Health corps created to provide basic healthcare services in underserved regions
• Modernization efforts faced opposition from religious conservatives and leftist groups
• Growing discontent with the Shah's authoritarian rule and Western influence led to the Iranian Revolution in 1979

Arab States and Dynasties

Hashemite Rule in Iraq and Jordan

• Faisal I of Iraq became king in 1921 under British mandate established constitutional monarchy
• Faisal worked to balance competing interests of Sunni, Shia, and Kurdish populations
• Negotiated Iraq's independence from Britain achieved in 1932
• Hashemite Dynasty ruled Iraq until 1958 when overthrown by military coup
• Abdullah I established Hashemite rule in Transjordan (later Jordan) in 1921
• Jordan gained independence from Britain in 1946 under Hashemite monarchy
• Hashemites continue to rule Jordan today playing a key role in regional politics

Rise of Saudi Arabia and Wahhabism

• Ibn Saud (Abdul Aziz ibn Saud) unified Arabian Peninsula through military campaigns and alliances
• Established Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932 combining Najd and Hejaz regions
• Formed alliance with Wahhabi religious movement providing ideological basis for Saudi rule
• Discovery of oil in 1938 transformed Saudi Arabia's economy and global influence
• Ibn Saud balanced modernization efforts with conservative religious traditions
• Developed basic state institutions while maintaining traditional tribal power structures
• Saudi monarchy became a key U.S. ally in the Middle East during the Cold War

Pan-Arabism and Its Impact

• Pan-Arabism emerged as a political ideology promoting unity among Arab nations
• Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt became a leading figure in the pan-Arab movement
• Suez Crisis of 1956 boosted Nasser's prestige and pan-Arab sentiment across the region
• United Arab Republic formed between Egypt and Syria in 1958 (dissolved in 1961)
• Arab League established in 1945 to promote cooperation among Arab states
• Pan-Arabism influenced anti-colonial movements and Arab nationalism in various countries
• Decline of pan-Arabism after the 1967 Six-Day War led to rise of Islamist movements