Eastern question in the works of Kazım Karabekir

Except the fundamental problems such as insufficient educational opportunities andeconomic circumstances widespread in Anatolia, Eastern Question is a political issue. It isconceptualized by imperialist projects lead by imperialist states in a region where theystates compete to settle for making it a step for their geostrategic targets and acquiring itsnatural resources. And finally they wanted to set peacefully living oppressed nationsagainst each other in order dissolve and disband them totally. Eastern Question is anartificial problem, which had been created by imperialist states and tried to be exerted byforce into the Eastern nations who were living peacefully. In this research, this part of theEastern Question is tried to be emphasized in particular and analyses of two components?,which form the core of the Eastern Question, such as Kurdism movements and ArmenianQuestion are being handled.In fact, Eastern Question was a dilemma started in the 13th century and climbedhigh during the following ages. It has become an item on the agenda of the world politicsas Western capitalism developed and gained an imperial status. The projects intended todissolve and disband the Ottoman Empire using Armenianism and Kurdism which werepreviously spread culturally and became armed terrorist movements. They have earned thestatus of the issues bothering the Ottoman Empire mostly. These foreign supportedmovements have risen right after the Turkish War of Independence started by MustafaKemal Ataturk. And they were defeated by the achievement of Kemalist revolutionistcadres and seceded from the historical stage for a long period.During both the World War I and Turkish War of Independence, Kazım Karabekirstruggled with two determinative components of the Eastern Question such asArmenianism and Kurdism; in particular, after the successful war made with Armeniansecessionists, he persuaded the other side to sign the Treaty of Alexandropol which endedIVthe problem. Kazım Karabekir also initiated using the facilities of his Eastern Front Armyan organized effort to provide care for the orphan children who lost their fathers duringthese fightings. He was personally involved in training and education of thousands ofchildrenof indigent families and of the orphans. This was aimed at transforming them intoprofessional individuals and conscious citizens full of love of country. Kazım Pasha, whodealt with all issues of the East at all costs of exceeding his authority?s limits, also took astrong interest on the economic issues and developed theories and new ideas for theeconomic dilemmas of the country, and especially of the Eastern provinces. Whileperforming these, he did not only stay at the theoretical area, but also spearheaded theseimplementations as a man of action. The projects made in the area of education such as?Çocuklar Ordusu? (the Army of Children) and ?Sanayi Gürbüzleri? (Robusts of Industry)and in the area of economics, being the moderator of the Izmir Economic Congress and thefeasibility study made by a Turkish engineer called Şerif Bey about the factories whichneed to be established are few examples of his activist personality.Kazım Karabekir?s thoughts and actions about the Eastern Question, as a preciouscommander, are seen to be important and build the truss of the research , as he has dealtwith and stand in the focal point of educational, cultural, political and social problems ofthe Eastern region during his lifetime.In this research, the historical background of the Eastern Question is exhibited andalso all aspects of this issue is looked at from a person?s view point, who is a historicallyimportant person lived inside these events. As the conclusion it is understood that EasternQuestion is a multi-dimensional dilemma and the analysis about it can not be keptseparately from the fact of imperialist efforts of the foreign powers to remain in possessionof the region which can only be freed by an industrialization movement together with aneducational system based on consciousness of citizenship and a nation-state concept.Key Concepts: Kazım Karabekir, Eastern Question, Kurdism, Armenian Question,Turkish War of Independence