Turkish War of Independence

From Freepedia

The Turkish War of Independence (Kurtuluş Savaşı) is a part of the History of Turkey that spans from the defeat of the Ottoman Empire by the Allies in World War I to the declaration of the Republic of Turkey on October 29, 1923.

The Precursors

The development of the Turkish national resistance movement from the regional congresses of 1918-1919 to the victory of the declaration of Republic is full of very interesting events. It has to be mentioned that this movement was performed against every known nation at that time. Even the supporters, such as Bolsheviks, were also supporting the other sides in the conflict. The military actions show a continuum with undeniable power of Mustafa Kemal during this time. As a military leader, he was unchallenged. However on the political front it was totally different. There were conflicting sides which had conflicting visions. Only one source was binding all these people together, it was the Entente powers which wanted to eliminate them from the places that they saw as their homeland. The history is written by the winners, so the story of this national upsring will have the sections aligned with the Mustafa Kemal's movement and other movements will be explained along his, if not from his view.

Initial Organization (May 1919-March 1920)

Atatürk needed national support. His notoriety from his position gave him some credentials. It was not enough to mobilize anything. Besides his task was to disarm the army. He had to secure some relations to gain more movement. He met with Rauf Orbay, Ali Fuat Cebesoy, and Refet Bele on June 21 1919.

Before Amasya Agrement, Atatürk met with a Bolshevik delegation headed by Colonel Semen Budenny. Bolsheviks wanted to control expansionist goals of Armenian Republic in the Black Sea. Turkey could also be a buffer, especially if it turns into communistic ideology. Atatürk official response was "Such questions had to be posponed until Turkish independance was achieved." Having this support was important for the national movement.

Amasya Agrement

Amasya Agrement is important in many respects. It is the first call for the national movement against the occupation. It talks about national independance, based on provinces, not race. Even in this declaration we see the roots of what constitutes the "Turk" as a political term. There is no distinction or reference to race or religion. The message read as this.

• The unity of the fatherland and national independence are in danger.
• The Istanbul goverment is unable to carry out its responsibilities.
• It is only through the nation's effort and determination that national independance will be won.
• It is necessary to establish a national committee, free from all external influences and control, that will review the national situation and make known to to the world the peoples desires for justice.
• It has been decided to hold immediately a National Congress in Savas, the most secure place in Anatolia.
• Three representatives from each province should be sent immediately to the Sivas Congress.
• To be prepared for every eventuality, this subject should be kept a national secret.

This agreement was signed by Atatürk, Rauf Orbay, Ali Fuat Cebesoy, Refet Bele and later Kazim Karabekir added his signature.

Erzurum Congress

Balıkesir Congress

Alaşehir Congress

Sivas Congress

Amasya Protocole

Jurisdictional Conflict (March 1920 - March 1922)

The new government in İstanbul hoping to dissolute the national movement passed a fatwa from Şeyhülislam (legal opinion). Fetwa stated that true believer should not go along with the nationalist (rebels) movement. Along with this religious decree, government prosecuted Mustafa Kemal and prominent nationalist to death in absentia. At the same time, Ankara müftü in defense of national movement gave a counter acting fetwa declaring İstanbul is under control of Entente and the Ferit Paşa government. In this text, nationalist movement's goal was stated as freeing the Sultan and Caliphate from the enemies.

The British in İstanbul who were looking skeptical to all these movements decided to use irregular power to counter act the nationalist movement, which was mainly an irregular movement at that time. These irregular national forces were distributed around the Turkey, so İstanbul dispatched many small counter forces. Ahmet Anzavur and his forces, or will be his forces with the help of British army, was the biggest opposing force of all. Besides the irregulars, under the name of Kuva-yi İnzibatiye (Disciplinaru forces) another army was collected. It was about 2000 strong force. It was initially deployed in the İzmit.

Grand National Assembly

Breaking the links

Organizing an Army

London Conferance

The Armistice of Mudanya

Stage for Peace (March 1922- April 1923)

Conferance and Treaty of Lusanne

The Republic

Theatres of the War

East-(Armenian & Gorgia)

The border between East Armenia was defined with Brest-Litovsk and Batum treaties. In 1919 it was obvious to nationalists that east boarder was not goint to stay as it is. There was Armenian Republic, Georgia, and Bolsheviks against the nationalists.

One of the most important fights had been in this boarder. Even though there is a pressing Greek danger on the west, the very early onset of national army was the proof of this. Armenia was not content on the boarders set in 1919 with Ottoman Empire. There was also a movement of Armenians from southeast with the French support. Armenian Republic backing this movement on the ground could gain much more land. To link these sources Armenian Republic needed to move more deep and south, like Van, but first Erzurum. The Armenian diasporas was negotiating with Entente powers and the Armenian movements were being used as an argument to draw the boarder between Ottoman Empire and Armenian Republic. Also, Armenian Republic has to balance its own expansionist movements to Bolseviks. If Armenian Republic can connect on the land with the French supported southeast Armenian powers that could give much seek resources to balance the Bolshevik expansionist movements. It is also possible to claim that if Armenian Republic could have content with the boundaries gained in 1919, most likely It could gave more resistance to Bolshevik conquest, both internally and internationally. The political dynamics of how Armenian Republic ceased to exists is covered under the Armenian national movements.

The Armenian raids on the boarder began in May 1920. The stage of the east campaign is developed through two reports (30 May to 4 June 1920) outlining the situation from Kâzım Karabekir Paşa. He was detailing the activities of the Armenian Republic's activities and advising how to shape the sources at the eastern borders, especially Erzurum. Before the stage was set by Kâzım Karabekir Paşa on the east border, Russion government send a message to settle not only East Armenian but also Iranian border through diplomacy under Russian control. The Soviet support was absolutely vital for the nationalist movement. Bakir Sami Bey was assigned for the talks. Bolsheviks demanded Van and Bitlis to Armenia. This was unacceptable to nationalists. Nationalists were also faced another dilemma, their hesitation to move forces to prevent the Armenian raids was causing a growing unsettlement among the Turks, but they have to balance the Greek threat and needed the diplomatic connections.

Before more diplomatic exchanges can be done, to show a sign of power on the discussion table, Armenia moved its forces to Oltu. This was fallowed with 25 July Artvin was occupied by Gorgian forces. The response to these moves was set by Kâzım Karabekir Paşa through moving the Turkish forces towards the eastern border, on 28 Septamber 1920. The fighting was halted for a month after Sarıkamış. The nationalist moved more support and gave another chance to talks. When the second movement began on 27 December, it finallay stoped by Armenians through Alexandropol (Gümrü) agreement. This agreement has to be renewed shortly after. The nationalist and socialist Dashnakzoutium goverment of Armenia was toppled by the Bolsheviks. Armenia Republic was not eliminated from the map by the Turkish nationalist which could have easily moved deep into Erivan, but Bolseviks gave the last kiss.

The arms left by the defeated Armenian forces were sent to the west to develop the resistance to the Greeks. It should be noted that, like some Armenian historians claim Turkish movement against the Armenian forces was not coordinated with Bolsheviks. Bolsheviks conquered Azerbaijan while the Armenians were fighting with Turks. It is only after the peace agreement was reached that they moved into Erivan.

Soon after the bolsheviks and nationalists signed another agreement 16 March 1921. Tnationalists agreed to cede Nachicevan and Batum. In response they received support and gold. For the promised resources nationalist have to wait until the Skarya battle. Bolsheviks was expecting that nationalist could not last long.

West (Greek-English)

Main article: Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922)

In the summer of 1920, the greek army extended its zone of occupation over all western and nort western Asia Minor and over Thrace. They wanted to occupy the İstanbul so that they can have linked the both sides, but Entente powers did not gave permission.

South

El cezire

Pontus

Timeline

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• 1916: The Sykes-Picot Agreement between the United Kingdom and France is signed, dividing the Ottoman Empire between several states, both independent (e.g. Armenia and Kurdistan) and subject to such European nations as the UK, Italy, France, Imperial Russia and *Greece. According to this treaty, a small territory around Ankara was all that was to be left for the Turks. This treaty is not recognized by the Ottoman state.
• 1919: Müdafaa-i Hukuk Cemiyeti (Association for Defense of Rights of Anatolia and Rumelia) is founded in Ankara by Mustafa Kemal, consisting of Young Turks and other nationalists.
• April 23, 1920: The first meeting of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. The monarchy and government of Sultan Mehmed VI is denounced and a temporary constitution is affirmed.
• August 10, 1920: The Treaty of Sèvres is signed between the Entente and the Sultan. It is not recognized by Mustafa Kemal.
• January 20, 1921: The first Turkish Constitution is approved by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, establishing the state of Turkey.
• November 1, 1922: The sultanate is abolished.
• November 17: Mehmed VI goes into exile.
• July 24, 1923: The Treaty of Lausanne is signed, giving Turkey its current borders, except the province of Hatay.
• October 29: Mustafa Kemal declares the Republic of Turkey and becomes the president of it.

See Also

• Aftermath of World War I
• World War I
• Treaty of Kars