TED ÇORUM COLLEGE / 8-B
The
COMMITTED
Is Society Transformation Good or Bad?
Asya HOŞGÖR • Deniz Ece DUGAN • Nehir KARACA ‣
Transformation is a natural and important part of human life, and every society, including ours, has experienced change throughout history. One of the most important examples of social transformation can be seen in the Ottoman Empire. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk believed that transformation is necessary for a nation to survive and develop. He stated that societies which refuse to change cannot move forward.
After its Golden Age, the Ottoman Empire began to decline in the 16th and 17th centuries. During this period, society moved away from science, philosophy, mathematics, and art. When the Timar system started to break down, many peasants left their land and moved to cities. As a result, the rural social structure was damaged.
From the 17th century onward, the power of the state weakened. The strong sense of unity and solidarity in society was replaced by distrust and conflict. At the same time, Europe was developing rapidly through the Renaissance and the Reformation. The discovery of new continents changed trade routes and caused serious economic problems for the Ottoman Empire. These problems tired the people both physically and mentally and weakened social unity.
In 1789, the French Revolution spread ideas of freedom and nationalism. To protect its lands in the Balkans, the Ottoman Empire gave more rights to minorities and non- Muslims. However, European states encouraged these