Revival of Islam in Turkey in the 1950s through the Reports of American Diplomats

Abstract

The book Revival of Islam in Turkey in the 1950s through the Reports of American Diplomats, edited by Rıfat N. Bali, examines three key reports from U.S. diplomats stationed in Turkey during the 1950s. The central argument focuses on the perceived revival of Islam and its implications for secularism following the Democrat Party's victory in 1950. The diplomats express concerns about the relaxation of Kemalist reforms, the rise of 'reactionary' religious sentiments, and potential social instability. The review critically assesses these reports, highlighting their observations and underlying assumptions. Charles W. Lewis Jr.'s 1951 report emphasizes the urgency of defining secularist policies, while Katherine W. Bracken's 1956 commentary notes gaps in implementing Kemalist reforms. A recurring theme is the portrayal of rural, illiterate populations as deeply religious and politically naive. The analysis adopts a historical and diplomatic perspective, engaging with modernization theory and critiquing assumptions about secularization as progress.

(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)