Bolshevik Tendencies and Sources in the Turkish Press during the National Struggle Period

Mustafa Arıkan

Article Details

Bolshevik Tendencies and Sources in the Turkish Press during the National Struggle Period

Authors:

Mustafa Arıkan

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Genel Türk Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal:

Yakın Dönem Türkiye Araştırmaları Issue 46, pp.239-278

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001340619

pISSN:

1304-9720

Keywords:

Abstract:

 The post-World War I conjuncture provided a conducive environment for an alliance between Bolshevik Russia and Türkiye, as both faced common adversaries. The nationalist cadres spearheading the National Struggle in Türkiye sought to establish contact with the Bolsheviks to counter the pressure imposed by the Entente Powers and explored grounds for collaboration. However, the emergence of various political actors amid the vacuum of authority in Türkiye significantly delayed the establishment of Ankara-Moscow relations. The primary actors engaging with the Bolsheviks immediately after the signing of the Armistice of Mudros included the Unionists, Mustafa Suphis team, and the Green Army. This study examines these distinct actors who played pivotal roles in relations with the Bolsheviks during the National Struggle period, operating independently of the official initiatives of the Ankara government. Additionally, it seeks to uncover the impact of these actors on the Turkish press of the era, particularly their influence on how Bolshevism and relations with the Bolsheviks were portrayed. To this end, the study comprehensively analyzes the publications of various newspapers and magazines from different regions of Anatolia during the National Struggle, including Hâkimiyet-i Milliye, İrâde-i Milliye, İzmire Doğru, Açıksöz, Anadoluda Yenigün, İstikbâl, Albayrak, and Öğüt, as well as Sebilürreşad. I. In addition to these pro-National Struggle publications, the study examines the approaches of Alemdar and Peyâm-ı Sabah newspapers, known for their opposition to the National Struggle, toward the Bolsheviks.

 The post-World War I conjuncture provided a conducive environment for an alliance between Bolshevik Russia and Türkiye, as both faced common adversaries. The nationalist cadres spearheading the National Struggle in Türkiye sought to establish contact with the Bolsheviks to counter the pressure imposed by the Entente Powers and explored grounds for collaboration. However, the emergence of various political actors amid the vacuum of authority in Türkiye significantly delayed the establishment of Ankara-Moscow relations. The primary actors engaging with the Bolsheviks immediately after the signing of the Armistice of Mudros included the Unionists, Mustafa Suphis team, and the Green Army. This study examines these distinct actors who played pivotal roles in relations with the Bolsheviks during the National Struggle period, operating independently of the official initiatives of the Ankara government. Additionally, it seeks to uncover the impact of these actors on the Turkish press of the era, particularly their influence on how Bolshevism and relations with the Bolsheviks were portrayed. To this end, the study comprehensively analyzes the publications of various newspapers and magazines from different regions of Anatolia during the National Struggle, including Hâkimiyet-i Milliye, İrâde-i Milliye, İzmire Doğru, Açıksöz, Anadoluda Yenigün, İstikbâl, Albayrak, and Öğüt, as well as Sebilürreşad. I. In addition to these pro-National Struggle publications, the study examines the approaches of Alemdar and Peyâm-ı Sabah newspapers, known for their opposition to the National Struggle, toward the Bolsheviks.

 The post-World War I conjuncture provided a conducive environment for an alliance between Bolshevik Russia and Türkiye, as both faced common adversaries. The nationalist cadres spearheading the National Struggle in Türkiye sought to establish contact with the Bolsheviks to counter the pressure imposed by the Entente Powers and explored grounds for collaboration. However, the emergence of various political actors amid the vacuum of authority in Türkiye significantly delayed the establishment of Ankara-Moscow relations. The primary actors engaging with the Bolsheviks immediately after the signing of the Armistice of Mudros included the Unionists, Mustafa Suphis team, and the Green Army. This study examines these distinct actors who played pivotal roles in relations with the Bolsheviks during the National Struggle period, operating independently of the official initiatives of the Ankara government. Additionally, it seeks to uncover the impact of these actors on the Turkish press of the era, particularly their influence on how Bolshevism and relations with the Bolsheviks were portrayed. To this end, the study comprehensively analyzes the publications of various newspapers and magazines from different regions of Anatolia during the National Struggle, including Hâkimiyet-i Milliye, İrâde-i Milliye, İzmire Doğru, Açıksöz, Anadoluda Yenigün, İstikbâl, Albayrak, and Öğüt, as well as Sebilürreşad. I. In addition to these pro-National Struggle publications, the study examines the approaches of Alemdar and Peyâm-ı Sabah newspapers, known for their opposition to the National Struggle, toward the Bolsheviks.

 Birinci Dünya Savaşı sonrasında ortaya çıkan konjonktür, Bolşevik Rusya ile Türkiye arasında ortak düşmanlara karşı doğal bir ittifak zemini doğurmuştur. Türkiyede Millî Mücadeleyi yürüten kadrolar, İtilâf Devletlerinin baskılarına karşı Bolşeviklerle temas kurmaya ve bir ittifak oluşturmaya çalışmıştır. Ancak Türkiyedeki otorite boşluğunun etkisiyle ortaya çıkan farklı siyasal aktörlerin varlığı, Ankara-Moskova ilişkilerinin gelişimini geciktirmiştir. Bolşeviklerle ilişkiler konusunda Mondros Mütarekesinin imzalanmasından hemen sonra sahneye çıkan ana aktörler İttihatçılar, Mustafa Suphi ekibi ve Yeşil Orduculardır. Bu çalışma, Millî Mücadele yıllarında Bolşeviklerle ilişkiler noktasında Ankara Hükümetinin resmî girişimleri dışında öne çıkan farklı aktörler hakkında bilgi vermeyi amaçlamaktadır. Çalışmanın diğer bir hedefi ise Ankara Hükümeti dışında Bolşeviklerle temas eden bu aktörlerin, dönemin Türk basını üzerindeki etkilerini ortaya koymaktır. Bu çerçevede Millî Mücadele döneminde Anadolunun farklı bölgelerinde yayınlanan Hâkimiyet-i Milliye, İrâde-i Milliye, İzmire Doğru, Açıksöz, Anadoluda Yenigün, İstikbâl, Albayrak ve Öğüt gazeteleri ile Sebilürreşad dergisinin Bolşevizm ve Bolşeviklerle ilişkiler konusundaki yayınları kapsamlı bir biçimde incelenmiştir. Anadoluda yayınlanan bu gazeteler dışında Millî Mücadeleye muhalefetleriyle bilinen Alemdar ve Peyâm-Sabah gazetelerinin Bolşeviklere ilişkin yaklaşımlarına da kısaca temas edilmiştir. Gazetelerin haber ve yorumları üzerinde yapılan analizlerle, bu yayın organlarının Bolşeviklerle ilişkiler konusunda hangi aktörün etkisi altında ne gibi yayınlar yaptıkları, çalışma boyunca ortaya konulmuştur.

Article Details

Bolshevik Tendencies and Sources in the Turkish Press during the National Struggle Period

Authors:

Mustafa Arıkan

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Genel Türk Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal:

Yakın Dönem Türkiye Araştırmaları Issue 46, pp.239-278

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001340619

pISSN:

1304-9720

National Struggle

Bolshevism

Bolsheviks

Turkish Press

Foreign PolicyMillî Mücadele

Bolşevizm

Bolşevikler

Millî Mücadele Basını

Dış Politika

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Mustafa Arıkan

Publisher: Istanbul University

Main Topics: Genel Türk Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal: Yakın Dönem Türkiye Araştırmaları Issue 46, pp.239-278

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 12/2024

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001340619

pISSN: 1304-9720

Issues

Authors:

Mustafa Arıkan

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Genel Türk Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal:

Yakın Dönem Türkiye Araştırmaları Issue 46, pp.239-278

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001340619

pISSN:

1304-9720