Colonel Mehmet Arif Bey: 1882-1926

This thesis paper focuses on the life of Colonel Mehmet Arif Bey. The purpose of the thesis is to research important events and occurrences in Arif Bey?s life based on an objective historical point of view. Arif Bey was trained in the most prominent military academies of the Ottoman State; as well staying in Germany as a military intern. He has fought in the Balkan Wars and served in several fronts of WWI. These were namely the Gallipoli, the Caucasian and the Syrian Fronts. Mehmet Arif Bey, who was in the cadre that landed in Samsun on May 19, 1919 with Mustafa Kemal Pasha, has commanded his division against French forces in the southern front. He had an important role in repressing the Düzce Rebellion. He has also played important roles in the 1st and 2nd Battles of Inonu and the Battle of Kutahya-Eskisehir; and later served in the Office of Supreme Command. After the Turkish War of Independence, Colonel Mehmet Arif Bey moved to politics. After being elected as a parliamentarian, he joined the opposition side and became a member of the Progressive Republican Party. He has addressed the parliament many times, as well as introducing several bills. He was named as a suspect in the Assassination Plot of Izmir; suspected of being involved in the Ankara side of the plot, he was tried by the Independence Tribunal and executed. The life of Colonel Mehmet Arif Bey is crucial to comprehending the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the consequent rise of Modern Turkey.