Representatives of the United States of America in Ankara During the National Struggle

The national movement led by Mustafa Kemal Pasha had chosen Ankara as its center due to its protected location. Ankara was also an important city in Anatolia in terms of transportation. Following the occupation of Istanbul by the Entente powers, the Parliament was dissolved. The Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) was formed in Ankara with the participation of both members of the Assembly in Istanbul and deputies elected from various parts of the country. The Turkish Army's successes brought international recognition to the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Many foreign representatives, including those of the Entente powers, were present in the city. By 1921, the United States, which had representatives here, was aware of the de facto authority of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. US officials in Istanbul and Anatolia were making moves to protect their commercial activities, aid organizations, and educational institutions. However, the people who led the National Struggle moves that could mean recognizing the cadre as an official government. avoided. The Government of the Turkish Grand National Assembly had adopted the principle of full independence as a red line in its relations with all foreign elements, including the Americans. They therefore expected that every American demand would be met with a response. For the archival sources in the study, the State Archives Presidency of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye and The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) documents accessible from the Gale Archive Unbound database were used. utilized. In addition, the relevant volumes of The Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS) series, which are published as document books, were utilized. Publications analyzing Turkish-American relations during the War of Independence were also utilized.

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