Unionist and unionism in the early armistice era according to Alemdar newspaper

The Committee of Union and Progress (CUP) is considered one of themost influential political organizations during the decline of the OttomanEmpire. The CUP, which was a major modernization advocate, came topower during the Great War years. Due to the political agenda of the westernpowers and their specific interest in Ottoman lands, policies of the CUP werestrongly objected. These Western powers comprising of Great Britain, Russiaand France prevented the Ottoman renaissance by blocking the CUP throughspecific means. CUP also had opposing sources such as political opposition,the Ottoman sultanate and several major newspapers. One of theseprominent newspapers is `Alemdar? and its chief editor Refi Cevat. This studyanalyzes the relationship between the CUP, Alemdar, Refi Cevat, foreignpowers? interests in Ottoman lands and the Armenian question. Research forthis study was conducted by translating articles of a 6-month periodpublished in Alemdar during 1918-1919. This extensive research indicatedthat Alemdar chief editor Refi Cevat clearly intended to ruin CUP?s reputationby altering the public?s minds. Alemdar newspaper was also clearly againstan alliance with Germany and thus blamed the CUP for the failures and alldamages during the Great War. Refi Cevat frequently states the best interestfor the Ottomans would be an alliance with Great Britain even though it maynot serve the Ottoman national interests. During the studied six monthsAlemdar and Refi Cevat act as a western powers mouthpiece and blame theCUP for corruption, massacring the Armenians, and dragging the country toan entire collapse. The findings of this study point to the noticeable relationsbetween Great Britain and Alemdar newspaper. Refi Cevat?s columns arefound to be provocative and biased against the CUP.Key Words1. Committee of Union and Progress2. Alemdar Newspaper3. Refi? Cevad4. Mudros Armistice5. The Sultan Vahdettin