Mustafa Kemal Welcomes in Ankara:

27 December 1919 ...

Ankara is experiencing one of its unforgettable days. How everyone had heard that Mustafa Kemal Pasha would come to Ankara after the Sivas Congress. The streets don't get people. Who is there in this crowd... All kinds of people, from the two British battalions that have settled in Ankara for a while, to the prisoners who came out of the emptied prisons, to the people of all ages who flocked from the villages, to the bandits coming down from the mountains... All, It is as if it has become a single heart... One heart beating with the excitement of seeing Mustafa Kemal...

Teams playing drums, zurnas, and national costumes add a festive spirit to the environment.

Finally He came. He did not wear a soldier's uniform as he had declared that he had come to power as a "ferd-i millet (an individual of the nation)". He was wearing a jacket with a closed collar: on his head was a cap. He had set off in an old, clumsy car.

Seeing the deputy governor in the crowd, he stopped the car. He was astonished that such a large crowd had gathered, although he had not announced his arrival anywhere but the official offices. Undoubtedly, he was very pleased. Talking to the governor, pointing to the strangely dressed men gathered around the carriage, he asked:

-"Who are they?"

-"The bandits who have come down from the mountain, my Pasha."

Mustafa Kemal, with his extraordinary kindness that he never lost,

-"Whoever they are," he said.

"Since they've come this far, let's say hello to them."

And he jumped out of the car and plunged into the crowd, which was unlikely to contain very dangerous people.

-"Hello friends!"

He replied, united in one heart:

-"Hello, Pasha!"

-"How did you bother to come this far?"

Again, these words were answered in unison, as if they had been rehearsed:

-"We came to see you, Pasha!" "We came to die for the sake of the country!" "We are at your service, Pasha!"

The hard lines on Mustafa Kemal's face suddenly softened. People are trying to get closer to him in big waves, to move towards him in order to hear him.

Mustafa Kemal understood once again in Ankara that day that he would win the War of Independence; He once again renewed his confidence in himself and the Turkish people.

Source:   Anılarla Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, İsmet Kür, Alfa Yayınları, ISBN: 978-975-297-924-6.  Pages: 38-41

ATATÜRK'S ARRIVAL TO ANKARA

The occupation movements, which started with the signing of the Armistice of Mudros, prompted the Turkish people to protect their rights and to save the Turkish homeland, and led to the establishment of National Associations for this purpose since the end of 1918. The National Societies, which emerged as a reaction to the occupation and sought salvation remedies, were initially weak, scattered, and only thought of protecting their own regions, not the whole of their homeland. The efforts to unite these societies gradually until the Sivas Congress will constitute one of the most important targets of the national movement in this turning point.

The resistance movement, which started with the passage of Mustafa Kemal Pasha to Anatolia on May 19, 1919, took its first serious step with the Amasya Circular in June 1919. It was determined that the independence of the nation was in danger in Amasya, and it was foreseen that only the determination and decision of the nation could save the independence. The most important feature of Amasya Circular, which is Âmili Mustafa Kemal Pasha, is that it has a collecting spirit1.

Erzurum Congress (23 July 1919), another turning point of the Anatolian Movement, is the first manifestation of the movement towards national unity2. At the Erzurum Congress, the statute of the “Oriental Anatolian Defense Law Society” was accepted and the North-East Black Sea Region came under the administration of a single society3. The speech made by Mustafa Kemal Pasha after he was elected as the President of the Congress is important in that he determined the goals and principles of the National Struggle. The thought of Mustafa Kemal Pasha in this regard is as follows: "There can be no patriot who cannot see the bloody and dark dangers falling into him, that the victorious states disregard the armistice, that the national spirit will be the force that will have the last word to save the fate of the homeland and nation and enforce its judgment,

Congress decisions are announced with a declaration; The basic principles such as the integrity of the homeland, the fact that no separation can be accepted, that a temporary government will be established, that mandate and protection cannot be accepted, and that the National Assembly must convene immediately have been announced to the public.

Although the Erzurum Congress was of a local nature, with the intervention of Mustafa Kemal, decisions were taken regarding the integrity of the country. Thus, Mustafa Kemal Pasha's leadership path was opened and an organizational charter was prepared that would be accepted by the Anatolian and Rumelia Defense Law Society, which would be adopted at the Sivas Congress in the future5. He gave broad powers to the representative to realize the independence of the nation.

In the Sivas Congress, which was held between 4-11 September 1919, the Representative Committee elected in Erzurum was kept intact and the number of members in the delegation was increased to 16 with new members elected from other parts of the country. It was transformed into the Representative Committee of the Law Society6.

This delegation worked as a temporary government in line with the decisions taken at the Sivas and Erzurum Congresses until the Grand National Assembly of Turkey was opened in Ankara. Now, the Anatolian and Rumelia Defense Law Society has drawn the target and boundaries of a legitimate national resistance and struggle that decides and executes on behalf of the whole country.

The decisions taken at the Sivas Congress had positive effects on the people. People have begun to believe that the country is in safe hands. This trust played an important role in the successful implementation of the liberation movement led by Mustafa Kemal Pasha.

Mustafa Kemal Pasha, acting on behalf of the Representative Committee at the end of the Congress in Sivas, began to seek ways to establish contact with the Istanbul Government. As a result of telegraph negotiations with the newly elected Sadr-ı Azam Ali Rıza Pasha, the Amasya Interview was held on 20-22 October 1919 with the suggestion of Ali Rıza Pasha. This interview led to the recognition of the Representative Committee by the Istanbul Government8.

Mustafa Kemal Pasha continued his work in Sivas for a while. Afterwards, he left Sivas on 18 December 1919 to go to Ankara as previously decided.

THE STATUS OF ANKARA IN THE NATIONAL STRUGGLE

At the beginning of the National Struggle, Ankara looked like a barren, neglected and dusty little city in the middle of Anatolia with narrow streets and adobe houses9. It is connected to the outside world by a single railroad and the fact that the houses are built around the castle provides great security to the city10.

Most of the people of Ankara are Muslim Turks. There were also Christians and Jews. Christians were mostly engaged in trade in the city. Turks mostly worked in jobs such as grocers, watchmen or warehousemen11. Rich non-Muslims lived in vineyards such as Keçiören, Etlik, Çankaya and Dikmen12. There were 8 schools in the city for the Greek, Armenian, Catholic and Jewish communities13.

According to the 1914 population statistics, the population of the city of Ankara together with its villages is 84665. Of this population, 69066 are Islamic, 3327 Greeks, 3.341 Armenians, 1026 Jews, 699O Armenian Catholics, and 915 Protestants14. Based on this information, it can be said that the total non-Muslim population was less than one-seventh of the population, with an estimation for 1919.

Citizens of different religions could practice their religion freely. There were 32 mosques, 92 masjids, 27 madrasas, 11 lodges, 17 tombs and 12 churches in the city.

It is seen that the population of the center, which was around 27000 before the First World War, was around 20000 when the Representative Committee came to Ankara. There was a decrease in population due to war, immigration and the fire of 1917.

Ankara had an economic structure consisting of agriculture and animal husbandry and industry based on them. 90% of the population worked in the agricultural sector. The arrival of the railway to Ankara in 1892 led to an increase in agricultural production. The most important commercial commodity produced is mohair. In addition, the production of rugs, carpets, saddlebags, towels, belts, cloths, socks has also developed in the region.

The shopping centers located outside the castle formed the lifeblood of Ankara's trade and played a role in keeping the economic life alive.

THE REASONS MUSTAFA KEMAL PASHA CHOOSE ANKARA

Geopolitical and Strategic Position of the City:

For strategic reasons, the idea of ​​moving Payitaht to a city in Anatolia was first put forward by Helmuth Von Moltke in the 1850s15. Later, Marshal Von Der Goltz, who came to Turkey as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1883 and served in the Turkish army for a long period of 16 years, expressed the same opinion and stated that it would be more beneficial to transfer the capital to Anatolia. Goltz's work “Millet-i Müsellaha” translated into Turkish, books read by Mustafa Kemal Pasha It is possible to say that Mustafa Kemal Pasha had some similar ideas.

The basis of these ideas is Ankara's central location, being on strategic roads, its distance to the occupied places, the possibility of communication with the ports of İnebolu in the Black Sea and Antalya in the Mediterranean, and the ease of benefiting from the railway and telegraph network.

In addition to having a railway connection with Istanbul, it also had the same railway connection with important locations such as the Geyve Strait, Kütahya and Afyon, which the enemy reached17.

The telegraph system in Ankara normally had enough technical equipment and personnel for a provincial center. On the other hand, the missing lines were completed to the extent of the insufficient means, and contact was established with almost every part of Anatolia18.

The presence of the 20th Corps led by Ali Fuat Pasha in Ankara, which is sufficient for combat capabilities, can be shown as an important reason.

Considering and Preparing Ankara as a Center:

When Mustafa Kemal Pasha went to Samsun, it is very difficult to say the name of a center that was determined for the National Struggle, but there were signs of this decision during his activities in Istanbul. It is possible to determine that Mustafa Kemal Pasha and Ali Fuat Pasha had some opinions about "Ankara", which has certain strategic and security features in the inner regions.

Mustafa Kemal Pasha told Ali Fuat Pasha in Istanbul, “You must be at the head of this corps (20th Corps), important things will happen from now on. Dominate your corps. Give safety around. Especially, keep in close contact with the people.”19 expresses his opinion as follows:

“In the opinion of Mustafa Kemal Pasha and mine, Ankara was a strategic location suitable for all kinds of organizations, unions and the beginning of a movement. Before the Istanbul Government and the British, it was our greatest desire to keep this place by us. If they had been aware of the decision we made in Istanbul, they would never have agreed to this transfer (transfer of the 20th Corps to Ankara) (Istanbul Government)”20.

At the end of the Sivas Congress, this issue was discussed among the members of the Representative Committee and the commanders, and Ankara, Konya and Eskişehir were emphasized. The fact that Konya's unsettled situation in this period did not completely disappear was seen as an obstacle, and those who participated in the negotiations mostly saw Ankara as appropriate21. Kazım Karabekir Pasha, who did not agree with this idea, opposed the transition to a center further west than Sivas22 for security reasons.

Main Reasons Given by Mustafa Kemal Pasha:

There are different reasons for Mustafa Kemal Pasha to come to Ankara. The reasons he put forward are not groundless, but the product of a broad and detailed thought. Because Mustafa Kemal Pasha, in his Speech, stated, “The foundations of the Ottoman State have collapsed, its life span has been completed, and there remains an ancestral homeland where a handful of Turks live.”23 He correctly and accurately revealed the state of the state during the armistice period. As it can be understood, he thought of the salvation solution even before leaving Istanbul, and determined his main goals, which he put into practice as soon as he set foot in the Anatolian lands, to establish an independent and new Turkish State within the borders of the National Pact. During the National Struggle, Mustafa Kemal Pasha was the person who defended the full realization of the National Pact at the highest level. He did not limit the movement only to Eastern Anatolia, He did not consider it possible to establish a new state without ending the occupation in Southern and Western Anatolia. According to him, there is no great danger in the east. The corps in Erzurum is in a position to easily prevent any danger that may arise.

Despite the presence of the 15th Corps, supported by the Kuvay-ı Milliye, in the eastern provinces, a front had not yet been formed against the occupation of Adana. On the İzmir fronts, there were different and scattered forces and harmful activities arising from this disorder. Then the real danger is the Greek Army, which is behind the imperialist powers in the west.

In this respect, the way and method to be applied is that those who take the responsibility of managing and managing the general situation should be as close as possible to the most important goal and the nearest danger. As long as this closeness is not so much as to lose sight of the general situation! Ankara was a point that gathered these conditions in itself... It was to come to Ankara, which is connected to the fronts and Istanbul by rail and which is no different from Sivas in terms of managing the general situation”24.

The idea of ​​“being as close to the target and danger as possible” in Mustafa Kemal Pasha's words above was not groundless. 750 years ago, the conquerors of Anatolia, the Seljuks and the Edge Principalities, chose places close to Byzantium as their bases in order to further their conquests.

In Ankara's election as the center of the National Struggle, we see that Mustafa Kemal Pasha followed the policy of being close to Istanbul and keeping it under control, in addition to this main idea based on historical foundations. From Ankara, which has a railway connection with Istanbul, the work of the Assembly of Deputies could be followed more closely and necessary measures could be taken25. In addition, the presence of Ali Fuat Pasha in Ankara as the corps commander was considered a matter to be evaluated in terms of safety and convenience26.          

Supporters of Ankara's National Forces:

Shortly after the Armistice, at the beginning of 1919, two squadrons of British military established their headquarters at the station and occupied the station and the city. Later, a French military unit also came and settled in the first Grand National Assembly building in Ulus, the construction of which was not yet completed27. The attacks of foreign soldiers on Turkish and Muslim people were increasing day by day.

At the time of these events, the staff of the Ankara Governor's Office was as follows; Governor: Muhittin Pasha, Letterman: Halet Efendi, Treasurer: Yahya Galip (Kargı), Police Chief: Mithat Bey, Mufti: Rıfat Hoca (Börekçi) and Gendarmerie Commander: Abdurrahman Bey28.

Among this staff, only Governor Muhittin Pasha was a supporter of Damat Ferit, and because of his insistence on this attitude, he caused the reaction of the people of Ankara, was arrested by Ali Fuat Pasha and sent to Sivas and was brought before the Representative Committee29. The people of Ankara appointed Defterdar Yahya Galip Bey, who was a member of the National Forces, instead of Muhittin Pasha, as the Deputy Governor, but they did not accept Ziya Pasha sent by the Istanbul Government.

The foreign soldiers' perception of Ankara as a colony city, the arrest of 93 people, as well as the efforts to develop the British Opponents Association, and some negative activities of minorities in cooperation with foreigners, mobilized the people of Ankara30. Under the chairmanship of Mufti Rıfat Efendi, the intellectuals of the city tried to spread the idea of ​​"national resistance" among the people through shows and newspapers. Lieutenant Colonel Mahmut, Avni Refik (Berkmen), Teacher Ayaşlı Ali Rıza, Mahir (İz), Yakup, Ekrem and Fevzi Beys "Azmi National Society" They tried to create a local unity among the people by establishing a national organization called 31. On the other hand, the newspapers "Mefkure" and "Selamet" and the weekly "Ankara" Newspaper, which had started its publication life before, were publishing for the same purposes.

Former Ankara Deputy Ömer Mümtaz Bey, who was in the Heyet-i Temsiliye, had established the Ankara Delegation Center of the A-RMHC, which included Mayor Kütükçüzade Ali Bey, again under the chairmanship of Mufti Rıfat Bey, in line with the directives he received upon his return from Sivas.

Ankara residents, who showed the first reaction to the occupation of Izmir after the armistice, sent protest telegrams to Istanbul on May 16, 1919, and also organized a large protest meeting in Ankara on May 26, 191932. In addition, we should mention Ali Fuat Pasha's suggestions and directions in Ankara's reactions to this and similar reactions and in the organization of these activities. Ali Fuat Pasha constantly enlightened the notables of Ankara about the National Struggle and the personality of Mustafa Kemal Pasha, and prepared Ankara to become the center of the new state.

During the National Struggle, the Ankara Defense of Rights Association provided material and moral aid in line with the interests of the nation and the country, and formed the National Forces and sent them to the front. In addition, during the 4-month period from December 27, 1919, when Mustafa Kemal Pasha and his friends came to Ankara to April 23, 1920, almost all expenses were covered by the Mütafaa-i Hukuk Cemiyeti, financed by the people of Ankara33. Again, the fact that Ankara was a province that gave the highest number of officers and soldiers during the war is a good example of the self-sacrifice and heroism of its people. As it is seen, Mustafa Kemal Pasha adopted Ankara before he came to Ankara, and the people of Ankara adopted Mustafa Kemal Pasha. The acceptance of Mustafa Kemal Pasha as a leader by the people of Ankara and their integration with him is clearly seen during the welcome.

"In the history of the War of Independence, the name of Ankara will retain the most cherished position. You did not hesitate for a minute in the face of this difficult situation, which some of us thought was almost impossible. An example of it was the other day when I set foot in Ankara from Sivas, three years ago. You took me in your arms with the sincere and heartfelt cheer you showed even then. Thanks to this patriotic courage you showed at that time, the Grand National Assembly of Parliament, which was closed in Istanbul due to foreign intervention, is in Ankara with a broader authority and a independence worthy of nationality. The Grand National Assembly was able to continue the struggle for independence, without fear, in the presence of your surrounding. Therefore, Ankara, our citizens have a special honor in this struggle for the independence of the homeland."34

MUSTAFA KEMAL PASHA'S ARRIVAL TO ANKARA

As a result of the meeting held by the Representative Committee and the commanders in Sivas, the assembly of the Parliament in Istanbul and the transfer of the Representative Committee to Ankara were facilitated. Ali Fuat Pasha, who participated in this meeting, made preparations for the accommodation places and people to be interviewed on the way that the Representative Committee would pass on his way back to Ankara, determined the place of work in Ankara and gave the necessary report for the operation of the delegation.35

The Delegation of Representatives set out from Sivas on 18.12.1919. Arrived on the ridge of Ankara Dikmen on Saturday, 27 December 1919, via Kayseri-Mucur-Hacı-Bektaş-Mucur-Kırşehir-Karaman-Beynam Village. During the nine-day journey, they stayed for one day each in Kayseri and Mucur for examinations and interviews, and seven days were spent on the road36. The following names were included in the delegation that came to Ankara with three cars; In the first car, M. Kemal Pasha, Rauf (Orbay) Bey, Advisory Member of the Representative Committee Ahmet Rüstem and Adjutant Captain Cevat Abbas (Gürer); In the second car, members of the Representative Committee Mazhar Müfit (Kansu) and Hakkı Behiç Bey, and Sivas Congress Delegates İbrahim Süreyya (Yiğit) Bey and the Secretaries; In the third car, Dr. Major Refik (Saydam) Bey, Hüsrev (Gerede) Bey and servants37.

Firstly, the convoy stood next to Deputy Governor Yahya Galip (Kargı) Bey and 20th Corps Commander Ali Fuat Pasha, who were waiting for them between Gölbaşı and Şehir. Mustafa Kemal Pasha got out of the car and met with the greeters, then took them to his car and continued on their way to the city.

Mazhar Müfit, who was with the Pasha himself until Mustafa Kemal Pasha's entrance to Ankara38 and the Agricultural School allocated to the delegation, described his situation as follows;

That morning, the news of Mustafa Kemal Pasha's arrival was announced by the agencies, and on the other hand, all the people of Ankara were prepared to welcome them with drums and zurnas. From the Çankaya and Dikmen hills, beautiful-sounding hafizes were chanting the call to prayer and salat. And thousands of people from the villages came to Ankara with their horses and carts; Towards noon, the bellmen shouted, “He is coming,” and the chosen cavalry from Ulucanlar gathered in front of the Hacıbayram Mosque and a religious ceremony was held; Dervishes in Ankara follow a Seymen regiment consisting of seven hundred infantrymen and three thousand horsemen.

Behind them are all the tradesmen and then the school students. School students lined up on İstasyon Street, some of the Seymen regiments were lined up in Dikmen vineyards, some in Çankaya vineyards, Kızılyokuş skirts and another part on the station road. The gendarmerie and about twenty police were also here.

Some of the people were lined up on the Namazgah hill, and the other on the places where Yenişehir was located and on the Istasyon road.

On behalf of the City of Ankara, there were Mufti Hoca Rıfat Efendi, Major Fuat Bey, Kınacızade Şakir Bey, Aktarbaşızade Rasim Bey, Toygarzade Ahmet, Ademzade Ahmet, Hatip Ahmet, Kütüpçüzade Ali, Hanifzade Mehmet, Bulgurzade Tevfik Bey, who were members of the Defense Law Society, in the welcoming committee on behalf of the City of Ankara.

In front of a fountain at the foot of Dikmen vineyards, Eskişehir Deputy Emin (Sazak) and Ankara notable Naşit Efendi and his friends were waiting.

Ali Fuat Pasha, the Commander of the Twentieth Corps, and Yahya Galip Bey, the Deputy Governor, had come as far as Lake Emir, namely Gölbaşı.

We were coming down the Red Hill just at ten past three. When we caught up with Pasha on the way, Pasha took Rauf Bey and me in his car. In the welcome that started from there, we were advancing among the "live" voices and applause.

From the Çankaya and Dikmen hills, beautiful-sounding hafizes were chanting the call to prayer and salat. Two victims were sacrificed in Kızılyokuş, and in Yenişehir, which was completely empty at that time, a man named Salamon Efendi, who was one of the directors, had a small wooden house. When he got there, a calf was sacrificed by the seymen.

The welcoming committee and the officers were here. Pasha got out of the car, asked how they were all remembered, and shook their hands. Further on, we saw about seven hundred young people in zeybek clothes lined up with machetes in their hands. Pasha greeted them with "Hello", they replied with "thank you" and the conversation went like this:

Mustafa Kemal Pasha

"Guys, why did you come here?

Youth

"We came to shed our blood on the way of the nation."

Youth

-Become "I swear! There is Mustafa Kemal Pasha".

Meanwhile, thousands of people were resounding with their voices and applause. Finally, he turned to the station road. Gendarmerie and police were also lined up in the station square. They were also greeted. After a while, we passed between male and female students and came to the People's Party building (now the UN Assembly Museum).

At that time this building was the French headquarters. The French flag was hoisted. French Captain Doburazo was laughing at us in the space by the window. Tents were set up in the garden across from the building; There were French soldiers. They were also looking at us in amazement. It didn't take long; this building became the parliament building and the Turkish flag was hoisted and became a place where the republican government was established.

We came to the government square amid applause and all kinds of cheers and prayers.

Yahya Galip Bey said "welcome" with a speech and Fahrettin Bey, one of the foreign ministers, started to give an exciting speech.

The weather was sunny, but a dry cold was fiercely freezing. Mustafa Kemal Pasha, thinking that the female students lined up there were cold, told Governor Yahya Galip Bey to leave the children. Yahya Galip Bey said to the orator, "It's not just the children, we're frozen too," and said to the orator, "Sir, cut it short, we're shaking." Hatip Bey, too, was forced to cut it because he could not bring forward the speech because of excitement. It was not possible to continue the speech, not because he could not bring it forward, but because he had a cough at that time. Then we entered the government house. Tea was drunk in the governor's room, resting for a while. We warmed up. Corps was visited. We got into the cars and went to the Agricultural School, which was allocated to us, outside the city. This building, which is on a hill, served us as our headquarters for a long time. Ali Fuat Pasha allocated a room for each of us, Our names were written on the doors of the rooms, nurses and maids were placed, and our rest was assured. When I got to the top floor of this building, the first room on the right was reserved for me, a large room on the left side of the corridor was reserved for Mustafa Kemal Pasha, and the rooms on the right side of my room were allocated to Rauf Bey and other friends.

There was a small iron safe in my room. Other rooms are just like this, only the safe was in my room and the others did not. Because I had the money and account of the delegation. It was evening. The maid brought a paper written by Mustafa Kemal Pasha. It was a draft and was to be signed. This draft was a telegram announcing our arrival in Ankara to the entire organization39. It was written like this:

“ The Delegation of Representatives, which departed from Sivas to Ankara via Kayseri, on the route and in Ankara, the warm and sincere cheers of our great nation came to the city today in patriotism. This example of unity and determination shown by our nation unshakably strengthens their belief in confidence in the future of our country. For now, the headquarters of the Representative Committee is in Ankara.

Regards Sir!

On behalf of the Representative Committee, Mustafa Kemal. ”40

In this telegram, we said, “For now, the headquarters of the Representative Committee is in Ankara”; However, we had decided long ago, in Sivas, that we would go to Ankara and that Ankara would be the permanent center. But we kept this circumstance, namely the central government, secret, because the time for the announcement had not yet come. As you know, Mustafa Kemal Pasha did not want anything to come true before the time came. He believed that every decision has its time, and it was this principle, which we think has been fully complied with41.

MUSTAFA KEMAL PASHA'S ACTIVITIES IN ANKARA

Mustafa Kemal Pasha found it necessary to meet and exchange ideas more closely with the people of Ankara, who welcomed him and the Representative Committee with very sincere, bright and reassuring feelings. A conference to be given to the people of Ankara at a time when the deputies going to Istanbul are expected to come to Ankara to meet with the Representative Committee42 will be useful42. For this reason, on 28 December 1919, the notables of the city were invited to the Agricultural School. In his speech with the people of Ankara43, he explained the political and military situation of the country. At the insistence of the Istanbul Government, he asked the deputies, who stopped by Ankara to attend the parliament to be held in these cities under enemy occupation, to establish a "Defense Law Group" in the Parliament and summarized the A-RMHC program as "National Pact". This draft program prepared in Ankara,

Mustafa Kemal Pasha, in Ankara, ensured that the National Strength was carried out in an order in which the National Assembly existed, that the case was justified and that the idea that it was based on a legitimate basis was adopted internally and externally. Such a study was deemed necessary in order to prove that the National Struggle that started in Anatolia was not a rebellion against the Sultan and the Istanbul Government, but the legitimate defender of a nation that was being tried to be destroyed44.

The deputies, who came to Ankara in groups as of January 3, 1920, started to go to Istanbul after meeting with Mustafa Kemal Pasha. Most of the deputies who came to Ankara were Western Anatolian deputies, with the exception of İzmir and Balıkesir. According to the decision taken by the members of the Representative Committee and the commanders in Sivas, although Mustafa Kemal Pasha was elected as a member of the Parliament from Erzurum, he did not go to Istanbul and remained at the head of the Representative Committee in Ankara; It was decided that H. Rauf Bey, who was elected from Sivas, would go to Istanbul and attend the meeting45. The accuracy of these decisions became clearer with the dissolution of the Parliament.

Mustafa Kemal Pasha believed that the success of the National Struggle movement would be possible by directly "contacting with the nation".

To put it in his own words; He found it useful and necessary to "immediately interfere with the Anatolian existence and act with them"46. Mustafa Kemal Pasha, who knew very well that the press was one of the means that would ensure the formation of national unity during the war, always kept his sensitivity on this issue. By publishing the newspapers İrade-i Milliye and Hakimiyet-i Milliye, the public tried to illuminate the game. Especially with the publication of Hakimiyet-i Milliye in Ankara, it was tried to prevent the Turkish folk dance from being dragged into wrong ways, and it was thought to warn the nation against internal and external publications that would endanger the national unity. In addition, in this way, the decisions that would lead the National Struggle movement to success would be delivered to the people in a short time and the relations between the Representative Committee and the people would be improved.

In line with these aims, Mustafa Kemal Pasha wanted the Hakimiyet-i Milliye to be published on the second day of his arrival in Ankara, and he named the newspaper himself47. Some of the possibilities of the province were used to publish the newspaper and it started its publication life under the direction of Recep Zühtü (Soyak) Bey on January 10, 192048. Despite its limited financial means, Hakimiyet-i Milliye has become the most important news source in a short time and has been shown as a constant source by Anatolian newspapers49.

During this 17-day period, from December 27, 1919, when Mustafa Kemal Pasha and the Representative Committee came to Ankara, to January 12, 1920, when the Parliamentary Deputies were opened, the National Forces and the Istanbul Government and foreign countries were at the headquarters in the School of Agriculture. It laid the groundwork for the formation of the necessary conditions for the opening of the first BMM that was contacted.

CONCLUSION

It is not a coincidence that Ankara was chosen as the center of the National Struggle. Mustafa Kemal Pasha talked about this issue with his friend Ali Fuat (Cebesoy) Pasha before he left Istanbul. After he went to Anatolia, he kept this issue as a "National Secret" as he did in all his works. He revealed this thought only after the Sivas Congress. Only Kazım Karabekir Pasha opposed this idea of ​​his.

Choosing Ankara as the center of the National Struggle is a correct and correct decision. Because Ankara is the center of Anatolia. It is located at the junction of roads connecting Anatolian cities. On the other hand, it is in a strategic position to keep occupied Western Anatolia and Istanbul under control. In addition, the presence of the 20th Corps under the command of Ali Fuat Pasha in Ankara is an important element in terms of ensuring the security of the region. In addition, the readiness of the people of Ankara to support Mustafa Kemal Pasha and the Representative Committee financially and morally has an important role in the selection of Ankara as the center of the National Struggle.

As a result, the developments that took place after 27 December 1919 revealed the accuracy of Ankara's election as the center of the National Struggle. Now, Ankara is the place where Atatürk's idea of ​​returning to Sine-i Nation took place and reached its climax. Therefore, Ankara is the body of an operation and a symbol of a great idea.

NOTE: This article; It was presented as a speech text in the television documentary (TRT-1) prepared for the anniversary of Atatürk's arrival in Ankara.

1 Ali Fuat Cebesoy, Milli Mücadele Hatıraları, İstanbul, 1953, s. 76.

2 Mahmut Goloğlu, Erzurum Kongresi, Ankara, 1968, s. 7.

3 Mahmut Goloğlu, a.g.e., s. 101.

4 Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Nutuk, C.I. (Hazırlayan: Zeynep Korkmaz), Ankara, 1984, s. 45.; C. III, Belge: 38.

5 Mahmut Goloğlu, a.g.e., s. 101.

6 Bekir Sıtkı Baykal, Heyet-i Temsiliye Kararları, Ankara, 1989, s. IX.

7 Bekir Sıtkı Baykal, a.g.e., s. XII.

8 Nutuk, C.I., s. 167.

9 Samet Ağaoğlu, Kuvay-ı Milliye Ruhu, İstanbul, 1964, s. 39.

10 Arnold Toynbee, Türkiye, Bir Milletin Yeniden Doğuşu, İstanbul, 1971, s. 103.

11 Vehbi Koç, Hayat Hikayem, İstanbul, 1973, s. 11.; Bilal N. Şimşir, Ankara... Ankara Bir Başkentin Doğuşu, Ankara, 1988, s. 43.

12 Vehbi Koç, a.g.e., s. 15.

13 Yurt Ansiklopedisi, İstanbul, 1981, s. 548.

14 Kamil Erdeha, Milli Mücadelede Vilayetler ve Valiler, İstanbul, 1975, s. 231.

15 Bayram Sakallı, Milli Mücadele’de Ankara (PANEL), T.B.M.M. Kültür, Sanat ve Yayın Kurulu, No: 19, 28 Nisan 1986, Ankara, s. 43.

16 Nusret Baycan, “Ankara’nın Başkent Oluşu”, Atatürk Araştırma Merkezi Dergisi, C. VII. s. 19, Kasım 1990, s. 121.

17 Nusret Baycan, a.g.e., s. 120.

18 Asaf Tanrıkut, Türkiye Posta ve Telgraf ve Telefon Tarihi Teşkilat ve Mevzuatı, Ankara, 1986, C. II, s. 678.

19 Falih Rıfkı Atay, 19 Mayıs, Ankara, 1944, s. 10 vd.; Çankaya, İstanbul, 1984, s. 158.

20 Ali Fuat Cebesoy, a.g.e., s. 48.: Ankara’nın öneminin İngilizler tarafında da kavranması, 20. Kolordu’nun nakli meselesinde M. Kemal veAli Fuat Paşalar ile İngilizler arasında bir sürtüşmenin meydana gelmesine sebep olmuştur. İngilizler, ordunun nakli meselesini 2 ay kadar geciktirmeyi başarmışlardır. (B. Şimşir, a.g.e., s. 97-98).

21 Nutuk, C.I., s. 228; Ali Fuat Cebesoy, a.g.e., s. 259.

22 Kazım Karabekir’in konuyla ilgili telgrafı için bkz.; Nutuk, C.I., s. 229.

23 Nutuk, C.I., s. 9.

24 Nutuk, C.I., s. 230.

25 Nurettin Tursan, Ankara’nın Başkent Oluşu, Harp Akademileri Komutanlığı Yayını, İstanbul, 1981, s. 31.; Gotthard Jascke, “Ankara Wird Hauptstant Der Neuen Türkei”, Die Welt Des Islams, Vol. III, Nr. 3-4, Leiden, 1954, s. 263.

26 Selahattin Tansel, Mondros’tan Mudanya’ya Kadar, C.II, İstanbul, 1991, s. 168.

27 Azmi Süslü, Milli Mücadele’de Ankara (PANEL), T.B.M.M. Kültür Sanat ve Yayın Kurulu Yayınları, No: 19, Ankara, 28 Nisan 1986, s. 18.

28 Kamil Erdeha, a.g.e., s. 238.

29 Mazhar Müfit Kansu, Erzurum’dan Ölümüne Kadar Atatürk’le Beraber, C.II, Ankara, 1988, s. 488.

30 Azmi Süslü, a.g.e., s. 19; Mahmut Goloğlu, Üçüncü Meşrutiyet (1920), Ankara 1970, s. 7; Bilal N. Şimşir, a.g.e., s. 103.

31 Bayram Sakallı, a.g.e., s. 46; Mahmut Goloğlu, a.g.e., s. 7.

32 Bayram Sakallı, a.g.e., s. 49; Bilal N. Şimşir, a.g.e., s. 107.

33 Bayram Sakallı, a.g.e., s. 49; Geniş bilgi için bkz. Bilal N. Şimşir, a.g.e., s. 171-184.

34 Bayram Sakallı, a.g.e., s. 50.

35 Ali Fuat Cebesoy, a.g.e., s. 259.

36 Enver Behnan Şapolyo, Kemal Atatürk ve Milli Mücâdele Tarihi, İstanbul, 1958, s. 357.

37 Mahmut Goloğlu, a.g.e., s. 9.

38 Atatürk’ün Ankara’da karşılanışı ile ilgili canlı tasvirler için bkz.; Enver Behnan Şapolyo, Kemal Atatürk ve Mücadele Tarihi, İstanbul, 1958; Enver Behnan Şapolyo, “Atatürk Ankara’da”, Ülkü, s. 23, s. 371-373; Naşit Hakkı Uluğ, “Ankara’nın Gazi Bayramı Ülkü s. 1, s. 9-10; Naşit Hakkı Uluğ, Hemşehrimiz Atatürk, İstanbul, 1973; Yunus Nâdi, Ankara’nın İlk Günleri, İstanbul 1955; M. Müfit Kansu, Erzurum’dan Ölümüne Kadar Atatürk’te Beraber, C. II., Ankara, 1988; Behçet Kemal Çağlar, Atatürk 19 Yıl Önce Bugün Ankara’ya Gelmişlerdi, Ankara Halkevi Yayınevi, Ulus Basımevi, Ankara, 1938; Ali Fuat Cebesoy, Milli Mücadele Hatıraları, İstanbul, 1953; Ali Fuat Cebesoy “Büyük Önderi Karşılarken”, Ulus, 28.12.1937.19.

40 Nutuk, C.I., s. 228.

41 Mashar Müfit Kansu, a.g.e., s. 500.

42 Cemil Özgül, Heyet-i Temsiliye’nin Ankara’daki Çalışmaları, Araştırma Merkezi Yayını, Ankara, 1989, s. 62.

43 Atatürk’ün Söylev ve Demeçleri, C.II, TİTE Yayını, Ankara, 1981, s. 4.

44 Cemil Özgül, a.g.e., s. 66-67.

45 Cemil Özgül, a.g.e., s. 66.

46 Kılıç Ali, Kılıç Ali Hatıralarını Anlatıyor, İstanbul, 1955, s. 12.

47 Yücel Özkaya, Milli Mücadele’de Atatürk ve Basın (1919-1921), Ankara, 1989, s. 61; İzzet Öztoprak, Kurtuluş Savaşı’nda Türk Basını, Ankara, 1981, s. 11.

48 Mahmut Goloğlu, a.g.e., s. 14; Erdeba, s. 254.

49 Yücel Özkaya, a.g.e., s. 68.

Prof. Dr. E. Semih Yalçın*

*Gazi University Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of History, Lecturer

Source: ATATÜRK ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ DERGİSİ, Sayı 29, Cilt: X, Temmuz 1994