In Which Cities Were Congresses Held?

Congresses and Meetings

During the years of the War of Independence, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk traveled to many cities to raise public awareness and bring people together. He organized many congresses, which increased the spirit of unity, togetherness, and solidarity among the people. It is beneficial to know these cities and processes for general knowledge and to better understand the history of Turkey.

Erzurum Congress

The Erzurum Congress convened between July 23 and August 7, 1919. 62 different delegates participated in the congress. These delegates came from the cities of Bitlis, Trabzon, Erzurum, Sivas, and Van. These cities were under occupation at that time. Initially, the president of the congress was Hoca Raif Efendi, a delegate from Erzurum. However, an election was later held, and Mustafa Kemal Pasha was unanimously elected as the congress president. The most important feature of the Erzurum Congress is that the decision for unconditional national independence was made for the first time. Mandate and protection were rejected. National borders were mentioned for the first time in this congress. The Erzurum Congress appeared to be a regional gathering. However, the decisions they made were national and concerned the entire country. It boosted the morale of the people and increased their resistance.

Balıkesir Congresses

Five congresses were held in Balıkesir during the congress period. These congresses, held between 1919 and 1920, were initiated in the days following the occupation of Izmir. These uprisings and gatherings gained thirteen months for the army in the National Struggle. 48 delegates participated in the Balıkesir Congress, which convened immediately after the Erzurum Congress. During the meeting, decisions were made regarding the cessation of commercial relations with the Greeks and the declaration of mobilization in the region. Furthermore, a decision was made regarding the age range of those who would go to the front. This information was disseminated to the public.

Alaşehir Congress

The Alaşehir Congress convened between August 16, 1919, and August 25, 1919. The decisions made by the congress, which convened to solve the problems in Western Anatolia, were regional. As a result of the congress, a decision was made to be more resistant against the Greek Army.

Sivas Congress

Mustafa Kemal Pasha was at the head of the Sivas Congress, which convened between September 4, 1919, and September 11, 1919. It was convened to seek national solutions to the occupations and to make important decisions about the future of the country. The Sivas Congress, a more comprehensive version of the Erzurum Congress, forms the foundation of the new Turkish State. Therefore, it holds an important position for the Republic of Turkey. The most significant decision made was that the homeland is an indivisible whole within national borders. The Representative Committee was elected to implement the decisions made. The Turkish Nation would resist all kinds of occupations and fight collectively.

Amasya Meetings

The Amasya Meetings were held on October 22, 1919, between the Istanbul Government and the Representative Committee. Salih Pasha from the Istanbul Government and Mustafa Kemal Pasha, Rauf Orbay, and Bekir Sami Bey from the Representative Committee discussed the decisions accepted at the Sivas Congress. As a result, the Istanbul Government accepted the opening of the Parliament. However, it imposed the condition that it must be in Istanbul. The Istanbul Government recognized the associations established in Anatolia and the Representative Committee.