Pioneering Cadres in Social Aid, Culture, Professional Solidarity and Sports Associations Established in Trabzon During the National Struggle Period

Since the Second Constitutional Period in Trabzon, a significant part of the groups operating in the civilian sphere has been societies with legal personalities. The societies, which were established and used for various purposes ranging from social aid to the cultural field, from professional organizations to sports clubs, could not carry out their activities during the years of Russian occupation during the First World War. After the Russian occupation, within the framework of the period’s conditions, the societies’ activities, which started again primarily in social aid, diversified and increased throughout the National Struggle. In this process, which started with the re-establishment of the Trabzon Branch of the Red Crescent Society, various professionals such as teachers, reserve officers, pharmacists, and lawyers came together and established societies. Turk Ocağı branch was reactivated. Sports clubs and the Himaye-i Etfal Society opened a branch in the city. Prominent members in societies operating in a wide spectrum, II. They belonged to deep-rooted families, as in the years of the Constitutional Monarchy. Nemlizade Hacı Osman Efendi, Hatipzade Hacı Emin Efendi, Nemlizade Sabri Efendi and Çulhazade Kadri Efendi, who were members of various societies operating in Trabzon during the National Struggle, pioneered the establishment of social welfare societies in the city in addition to their merchant identities. Furthermore, it was thanks to Mustafa Reşit Bey (Tarakçıoğlu) that educational activities were carried out in the challenging conditions of the National Struggle years, and teachers were gathered under the roof of a professional organization. In this process, Münir Pertev Bey (Subaşı) came to the forefront in the re-launch of Trabzon Turk Ocagi and the organization of the first sports club (İdman Ocağı) in the city. Most of the pioneering cadres in the societies operating in Trabzon during the National Struggle period continued to influence politics, economy, education, culture and social life in the Turkish Republic’s first years.

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