Tribes in Anatolia During The National struggle

Tribes in Anatolia have had social, political and even military influence throughout history. This thesis examines in depth the critical importance of tribes in Turkish history, especially during the War of Independence. In the Ottoman Empire, tribes were both a source of power for the central authority and a challenge to the administration. The state tried to strengthen its central authority by settling tribes, collecting taxes and creating military units. Military units formed from tribes, such as the Hamidiye Regiments established during the reign of Abdulhamid II, played an important role in ensuring security, especially in Eastern Anatolia. During the National Struggle, tribes made significant contributions by fighting on the fronts and taking part in the political arena. Although the Allied Powers tried to pull the tribes to their advantage, many tribes supported the National Struggle. Tribal leaders fought on the fronts and contributed to the national will by taking their seats as deputies in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Tribes achieved great success in winning important victories, especially in the wars on the Eastern and Southern Fronts. During this process, the Turkish Grand National Assembly Government tried to gain the support of the tribes by taking legal measures. On the other hand, the government dealt with the settlement of tribes who wanted to migrate to the country with limited opportunities under war conditions. The support provided by the tribes to the National Struggle had a significant impact on the foundations of the new Republic of Turkey. However, at the same time, although some tribes had harmful actions that would disrupt unity and solidarity in the country, a significant number of the tribes in Anatolia actively supported the National Struggle. As a result of this thesis, the complex and multifaceted role of the tribes in Anatolia in the history of Turkey, especially their critical importance during the National Struggle, has been revealed.