How did Ataturk's policies differ from those of the Ottoman sultans?

Ataturk's policies were secular, nationalist, and modernising, contrasting with the religious, imperial, and traditional policies of the Ottoman sultans.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, implemented a series of radical reforms that aimed to transform Turkey into a modern, secular, and democratic nation-state. These reforms were a stark departure from the policies of the Ottoman sultans, who had ruled Turkey for centuries before Ataturk's time.

The Ottoman Empire was a theocratic state where Islam was the state religion and the Sultan was both the political and religious leader. The Sultanate was an absolute monarchy, with the Sultan having complete authority over the state and its people. The Ottoman Empire was also a multi-ethnic empire, with a diverse population of different ethnicities and religions.

In contrast, Ataturk's policies were based on the principles of secularism and nationalism. He abolished the Sultanate and established a republic, where the power was vested in the people and their elected representatives. He separated religion from the state, abolished the Islamic legal system, and introduced a new civil code based on European models. He also promoted Turkish nationalism and sought to create a homogeneous Turkish identity.

Ataturk's policies were also aimed at modernising Turkey. He introduced a series of social, cultural, and economic reforms to modernise the country. He replaced the Arabic script with the Latin alphabet, promoted education and literacy, and encouraged women's rights and gender equality. He also implemented economic reforms to modernise the economy and promote industrialisation.

In conclusion, Ataturk's policies were a radical departure from those of the Ottoman sultans. His policies were secular, nationalist, and modernising, aimed at transforming Turkey into a modern, secular, and democratic nation-state. In contrast, the policies of the Ottoman sultans were religious, imperial, and traditional, reflecting the nature of the Ottoman Empire as a theocratic and multi-ethnic empire.