Turkish War of Independence

May 19, 1919 - August 30, 1922

Pre-war Politics

World War I ended in defeat for the Ottoman Empire. While Germany was restricted by the Treaty of Versailles, Habsburg Empire and Ottoman Empire were disintegrated.

From Ottoman Empire's territory, Saudi Arabia gained independence; France occupied Syria, Lebanon, and southern Anatolia(i.e.Asia Minor); Britain occupied rest of the Middle East, Dardanelles and Istanbul/Constentinople; Armenia claimed eastern Anatolia; Greece annexed Thrace and Smyrna/Izmir; and Italy claimed west and southwestern Anatolia. This left only the central-northern Anatolia under Turkish control, but with the Sevres Treaty 1920, allowing the allied forces to seize any remaining Turkish-controlled city if they found it necessary for their national security.

In fact, occupation of the regions listed above started immediately, once the World War ended. According to the cease-fire agreement (Mondros, Oct.30, 1918) remnants of the Ottoman army were supposed to be disbanded. In the capital (Istanbul), Mustafa Kemal already had great influence as the sole undefeated warhero of the nation. He used his influence to be assigned to Samsun in north Anatolia to administer the disarmament of the army. Once he was in Anatolia (May 19, 1919) as a pasha (equivalent Ottoman rank of army general) assigned by sultan Mehmed VI he was temporarily able to do whatever he wanted.

In this short period, he not only left the army intact, but traveled to as many towns as possible, persuaded locals to take his side, sent summons to every remaining free city for delegates. By the time the British-controlled government took his notice and the Sultan ordered his arrest, people no longer heeded their orders. Still in 1919, Mustafa Kemal organized congresses in two cities with the arriving delegates. They voted in favor of "Independence or Death" and "The borders at the time of the Mondros cease-fire (roughly today's Turkey) will be reclaimed". He also called for elections, after which the electees had to immediately go to Ankara to join the new parliament. By the time he arrived to Ankara, he had full support of most cities as well as high-ranking Ottoman army officers in Anatolia, many of whom he knew personally.

In March 1920 in Istanbul, the Ottoman Parliament voted in favor of the actions and decrees of Mustafa Kemal, and in return they were all arrested by the British, and exiled to Malta. This provided the legal basis Mustafa Kemal did not really need to establish the new parliament in April 23, 1920. He also resigned from his army position in order to hold the fledling parliament together in its first steps.

Eastern Front

Commander: Kazim Karabekir Pasha

Type  : Attrition war

Against  : Soviet Union, Armenia, Enver Pasha (potentially)

>>>>>Still under construction<<<<<

Southern Front

Commander: None

Type  : Guerilla war

Against  : France

Western Front

Commander: Ismet Pasha

Type  : Army maneuvers - Field battles

Against  : Greece, Britain (almost)

See Second Greco-Turkish War for summary of western front.

Post-war Diplomacy