Erzurum During the National Struggle

Erzurum Province, located in a significant position in the Anatolian geography, consisted of the Erzurum (Center) Sanjak, Erzincan Sanjak, and Bayezid Sanjak during the years of the First World War. Since the Erzincan and Bayezid Sanjaks will be addressed under separate headings in this volume, this study will focus on the Erzurum Sanjak and examine the events that took place in its districts, including Merkez (Erzurum), Pasinler (Hasankale), İspir, Tortum, Namrevan (Narman), and Hınıs. Furthermore, since the Erzurum Congress was highly significant for the Vilâyât-ı Şarkiyye (the Eastern Provinces) and the Black Sea region, it has been addressed under the title “Armistice and the National Organization in the Eastern Anatolia”. The Eastern Operation, which mainly concerns Kars, Sarıkamış, and Batum, has been evaluated within the Elviye-i Selâse title. Erzurum, which carried the heavy burden of war and went through occupation, entered into a new struggle in a depleted and lost state. Despite all the hardships, Erzurum played a leading role in the national organization in Eastern Anatolia and protecting the territorial integrity of the Ottoman Empire. It can be appreciated that it is difficult to address and present all aspects of a very dynamic and long period in a province like Erzurum within a specific range of pages. This study aims to evaluate Erzurum during the National Struggle period in a general framework, based on archival documents, the period’s press, memories, and works related to the subject.

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