102nd Anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's Arrival to Ankara

December 27, 2021, Happy 102nd anniversary of the arrival of Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Ankara. The date of December 27, 1919 is extremely important for the history of the Turkish Nation, and this date was an important part of the course of the National Struggle by the arrival of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the members of the Representative Committee on the Anatolian journey, which started in Istanbul on May 16, 1919, from Dikmen ridges. It is a process in which the foundations of the Republic were laid, and the preparations were made. Today, in the character and social texture of the Anatolian journey; It is the day when the people of Ankara, which embodies independence, freedom, self-sacrifice and solidarity, welcomed the Great Leader with great enthusiasm and love on the ridge of Dikmen-Keklikpınarı, after a long journey of 225 days and 9 days.

National struggle; In the middle of Anatolia, a barren, neglected, adobe married, 20-25 thousand population, a small city with narrow streets, mostly Muslim Turks, whose only connection with the outside world is a railway, was put into practice in Ankara. This steppe city first became the capital of the National Struggle and then the new Republic and the state of revolutions. December 27 has also become a legacy of the people of Ankara for the future, the city of people who carry the unquenchable fire of independence and freedom of Anatolia. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's choice of Ankara, first as the Delegation Center and the base of the National War of Independence, and then as the capital of the newly established Republic of Turkey; Being in the central position of Anatolia in the lands within the borders of the National Pact, the homeland that it intends to save, having a railway and telegraph network, its historical and social texture, being close to the occupied areas and having the opportunity to connect with the ports of İnebolu in the Black Sea and Antalya in the Mediterranean. It is located on strategic routes such as the Geyve Strait, Kütahya and Afyon reached by the enemy and has a railway connection with important places.

The dismissal of the pro-government Governor Muhittin Pasha and the establishment of a strong Defense-i Law branch, the presence of the 20th Corps in Ankara under the command of Ali Fuat Cebesoy, created an indisputable strategic advantage. Cebesoy, who was the first commander who actually started the War of Independence by giving the order to open fire on the British troops; “Ankara was a strategic location suitable for all kinds of organizations, unions and the beginning of a movement. It was our greatest desire to keep this place by us before the Istanbul Government and the British. If they had been aware of the decision we made in Istanbul, they would never have agreed to the transfer of the 20th Corps.” explained in words. Ataturk; The geographical importance of Ankara, "Those who take responsibility for the administration and management of the general situation, the closest danger to the most important target, is found as close as possible. As long as the closeness is not to such an extent that it obscures the generality of the evil eye. Ankara was the point of this law. In any case, we were not going to Balikesir, Nazilli or Karahisar, just because we would engage in fronts. But we were going to come to Ankara, which is no different from Sivas in terms of being happy with the fronts and Istanbul, and from the point of view of managing the general situation. It is convenient for Ankara to be the biggest center and authority for Western Anatolia".

When the scenery in Anatolia at the end of 1919, when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk came to Ankara, is evaluated within the conditions and necessities; foreign occupations, internal revolts, the betrayal of Istanbul's government, poverty, despair, exhaustion, real chaos, that is, nothingness. Except for a handful of lands in Central Anatolia, Anatolia was shared by the imperialist powers of the period and the Government Center Istanbul was occupied. The Greek armies are advancing in Central Anatolia, and sad news is coming from all over the country about the persecution of the invading forces. Local militias in Western Anatolia, Southeast and Eastern Anatolia are resisting with all their strength against the invading forces and this heavy punishment is in no way due to the fact that the Turkish Nation has such an honorable and glorious past that it did not become a prisoner of the invading imperialist powers in the face of injustice and oppression. It gives signs that it cannot be digested. It hurt the people of Ankara that the Greeks came to the vicinity of Polatlı and Haymana by burning and destroying Western Anatolia. The efforts of the British to establish the "Society of British Destroyers" in Ankara were supported by the Istanbul Government, and despite these formations, the young people of Ankara established the "National Perseverance Society". The events experienced, in the succinct words of the people of Ankara, "were cut to the bone", and the representatives of the people of Ankara officially declared that they did not recognize the Sultan, with the first rebellion telegram sent from Anatolia, which was referred to as the "Telegraphhane Incident" in the National Struggle diary, against the Sultan. This event was conveyed to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who was in Sivas, and at the meeting; “Like the people of Ankara, the provincial officials will act within the principles drawn by the Sivas Congress. From now on, they will only contact the Delegation, not the Istanbul Government.” decision has been taken.

In this process, the national organization "Anatolian Defense of Law Society" was established, which will express and defend the wishes of the nation without fear wherever they are in the country. With the establishment of the Republic, Rıfat Börekçi, who will serve as the President of Religious Affairs, was elected as the President of the Society. Ankara Governor Muhittin Pasha was expelled from Ankara with the power of the national forces and Ziya Pasha was appointed as the governor of Ankara. Rıfat Börekçi warned Ziya Pasha not to come to Ankara and had to return from Eskişehir before he came, Yahya Galip Bey was appointed as the Deputy Governor. Upon this situation, the Istanbul Government sentenced Rıfat Börekçi to death. Atatürk announced that he would come to Mufti Rıfat Börekçi after he was informed that security was provided in Ankara. 

In the meeting held under the chairmanship of Anatolian Defense Law Society Rıfat Börekçi in Ankara, due to the advance of his armies towards Central Anatolia and the persecution of the people in the areas they captured, 400 gendarmerie students to be sent to the front, a group from Seymen, and the "Kuvay-ı Milliye Detachment" from 3000 prisoners from the vicinity. It was decided to form and sent to the western front. In Anatolia, where hopes are exhausted, the people of Ankara determinedly, without compromising the spirit of the National Struggle; It has prepared it as a reliable center for Atatürk, the National Forces movement and the National War of Independence.

Even in the worst days of the country, the people of Ankara did not lose their spirit of the National Struggle, "Ahi Regiments", also known as "Yiğit Regiments", which is the military wing of the Ahi organization, still alive today and active in the formation of the Seymenlik tradition. Beginning from the Seljuk period, the Ahilik has played an important role in the state and social life as one of the most powerful non-governmental organizations of the Turks. The philosophy and ideas of Ahi Evren, who is known to live in Kırşehir, which has an important place in the philosophy and organization of the Ahi community, has become the mission of the Ahi community. Atatürk said that they were in favor of the National Struggle from the very beginning; "While the nation was poisoned from all sides in the most painful and disastrous days, the people of Ankara did not for a moment shake their faith and confidence in the attempts for the real salvation of the country and the nation." stated by word.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and members of the Representative Committee decided to go to Ankara on October 3, 1919, however, factors such as meeting with the Ali Rıza Pasha government on October 2-3, preparations for the election and the commanders' meeting delayed the implementation of this decision. Kazım Karabekir Pasha was afraid that the East would be left alone and would fall into confusion again, and he did not want the Delegation of Representatives to go to Ankara, even to the west of Sivas. However, in the code sent by Ali Fuat Pasha on 13 December 1919; “The roads were bad due to the weather conditions, Rauf Bey and Mustafa Kemal Pasha went to Hacıbektaş with a car to be obtained from Mucur and talked to Çelebi Efendi because the lodge's fathers and this person's action were in favor of the nation, and they helped him in this matter. stated that they will.” Upon these developments, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk told Fahrettin Altay Pasha that on 18 December 1919, he wanted the journey to be kept secret, that he would set off from Sivas at 9.00 in the morning with 3 cars and that the route would be via Kayseri-Hacı-Bektaş-Mucur-Kırşehir-Kaman-Beynam. stated by letter.

1919, I was just a citizen, a member of the nation. I had no title, no authority, no title. However, Ankara and its surroundings, together with their children, women and old people, filled the whole field from Ankara city to Dikmen Hill and welcomed me. The two sides of the street, which stretches from the station to the government office, were dressed in old Turkish clothes and were filled with Ankara Seymen, knives and guns in their hands. The Seymens and all the people with them were shouting: “We are all ready to die to save the country and the nation from the enemy, we are waiting for your order”. At that time, Ankara Station was under the occupation of invading officers and soldiers. These foreigners, who had thought that Ankara residents were dead and Ankara a ruin until that day, could not help expressing their concerns in the face of this sublime manifestation.” He spoke highly of the people of Ankara with his word. His arrival in Ankara and the temporary headquarters of the Representative Committee were announced to the whole organization with the communiqué made on 27 December 1919. Atatürk on behalf of the Representative Committee; “The Representative Committee, which departed from Sivas to Ankara via Kayseri, came to the city today, amid the warm and sincere patriotic displays of our great nation along the way and in Ankara. This unity and perseverance of our nation strengthens our convictions about the independence of our country in an unshakable way. For now, the headquarters of the Representative Committee is Ankara”. The real center of the national struggle has been Ankara, now there is a Center and a Chief.

1919, I was just a citizen, a member of the nation. I had no title, no authority, no title. However, Ankara and its surroundings, together with their children, women and old people, filled the whole field from Ankara city to Dikmen Hill and welcomed me. The two sides of the street, which stretches from the station to the government office, were dressed in old Turkish clothes and were filled with Ankara Seymen, knives and guns in their hands. The Seymens and all the people with them were shouting: “We are all ready to die to save the country and the nation from the enemy, we are waiting for your order”. At that time, Ankara Station was under the occupation of invading officers and soldiers. These foreigners, who had thought that Ankara residents were dead and Ankara a ruin until that day, could not help expressing their concerns in the face of this sublime manifestation.” He spoke highly of the people of Ankara with his word. His arrival in Ankara and the temporary headquarters of the Representative Committee were announced to the whole organization with the communiqué made on 27 December 1919. Atatürk on behalf of the Representative Committee; “The Representative Committee, which departed from Sivas to Ankara via Kayseri, came to the city today, amid the warm and sincere patriotic displays of our great nation along the way and in Ankara. This unity and perseverance of our nation strengthens our convictions about the independence of our country in an unshakable way. For now, the headquarters of the Representative Committee is Ankara”. The real center of the national struggle has been Ankara, now there is a Center and a Chief.

Ankara has become the center of the National War of Independence, which will mark the century and set a model for all oppressed peoples in the world. In order to meet the people of Ankara, Atatürk invited the notables of the city to the Agricultural School on December 28, explained the military and political situation of the country, and stated the purpose of the Law of Defense. It was later moved to the "Steering Building" at the station, which was deemed more convenient in terms of safety and proximity to the city. This school has been a place where Atatürk could be alone to think and rest and hold private meetings in the first years of the National Struggle and the Republic. It was here that he found the environment that could transform personal determination into mass resistance to save the country, and the social solidarity they longed for. With the words "Ankara and the people of Ankara have a completely different place in my heart", Atatürk expressed Ankara's stance in the National Struggle; “In the history of the Struggle for

Independence, the name of Ankara will retain the most cherished position. You did not hesitate for a minute in the face of this difficulty, which some of us thought was almost impossible to cope with. 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 the other day. Thanks to the patriotic courage you showed at that time, it was possible to open the Parliament of Parliament, which was closed in Istanbul due to foreign intervention, with a greater authority and glory in Ankara with a independence worthy of nationality. The Grand National Assembly was able to continue its struggle for independence without fear, in your entourage. Therefore, Ankara, our compatriots have a special honor in this struggle for the independence of the homeland.” Mazhar Müfit, his arrival in Ankara; “As the news that Mustafa Kemal Pasha came that morning with the agencies, everyone was informed, 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 horses and carts, and a religious ceremony was held in front of the Hacıbayram Mosque from Ulucanlar; Dervishes in Ankara follow a Seymen regiment consisting of 700 infantrymen and 3000 horsemen. 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. Some of the people were lined up on the Namazgah hill and the other on the places where Yenişehir is located and on the Istasyon road.”

Ankara has become not only a province, a regional center and a capital city, but also the symbol of the Republic and the future of the country. The development of the National War of Independence showed that choosing Ankara as the center was the right decision. Especially the Sakarya Pitched Battles proved the success of the site selection, so it rose from being the temporary center of the Representative Committee to the capital of Turkey. I commemorate the members of the Representative Committee with mercy, love, respect and gratitude, especially the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who achieved the salvation of the Turkish Nation and founded the Turkish Republic by carrying out the historical march. Bless their souls.

REFERENCES;
ATATÜRK, Gazi Mustafa Kemal, “NUTUK (1919-1927)”, 2006.
ATAY, Falih Rıfkı, Çankaya, Pozitif Publications, Istanbul.
AYDEMIR, Sevket Sureyya, One Man 1919-1922, Remzi Bookstore, C-II, 1987, Istanbul
AYDOĞAN, Metin, Mustafa Kemal and the War of Independence, İnkılap Publishing House, 2017, Istanbul.
TRANSPORTERS, Erol, Our Idea Guide, Gazi Mustafa Kemal, Alfa Publications, 2008, Istanbul.
ÖZDEMİR, Wisdom, in War and Peace Kemal ATATÜRK, Doğan Egmont Publishing, 2019, Istanbul.
Assoc. Dr. Oğuz AYTEPE, Ankara University Turkish Revolution History Institute Journal of Atatürk Road, 29-30 May-November 2002, p. 31-38