Atatürk carried out secularist and nationalist reforms in political, economic and cultural fields in order to establish a modern, progressive and secular nation-state: Economic privileges granted to foreigners were abolished and their means of production and railways were nationalized. With the Law of Tevhîd-i Tedrîsât, education came under the control of the Turkish government. It was based on secular and scientific education. Thousands of new schools were built. Primary education was made free and compulsory. Foreign schools were placed under state control. The heavy taxes on the peasants were reduced. Some changes were made to the men's headdresses and attire. Changes were made to the calendar, clock and measures. The Mecelle was abolished and the secular Turkish Civil Code was put into effect. Women's civil and political rights were recognized before many Western countries. Polygamy was banned. The testimony of women and the right of inheritance were made equal to those of men. Similarly, in Turkey, women were granted the right to vote and be elected in local elections first (1930) and then in general elections (1934) before most countries in the world. Secular laws were enacted in criminal and debt law. Industry Promotion Law was passed. Efforts were made for land reform. Instead of the Ottoman alphabet based on Arabic letters, the new Turkish alphabet based on Latin letters was adopted. An education campaign was launched to make the people literate. University Reform was carried out. The First Five-Year Industrial Plan was put into effect. Nicknames and titles that discriminated against class and status were abolished and surnames were put into effect. The policy of Turkification was carried out to create a homogeneous and united nation.
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