A review of the history of the Municipality of Samsun (1930-1945)

This study aims to examine Samsun Municipality's activities between 1930 and 1945. In this context, the study focused on the works carried out by the municipality to ensure urbanization in Samsun, overcome the economic difficulties caused by the 1929 World Economic Crisis and heal the social wounds. When the activities of Samsun Municipality in the period 1930-1945, which is the focus of the thesis, are examined, it is understood that the municipality carries out its activities by determining priorities despite all economic impossibilities. In the Republican era, when the main goal was to bring a modern look to cities, Samsun Municipality focused on the city's infrastructure for this purpose. Numerous roads, pavements, and bridges were built or repaired. Facilities were developed for the city's electricity and water needs. In addition, important steps were taken to heal the social wounds of a society that had come out of war. When the allowances allocated from the municipality's budget are examined, it is clearly seen that social welfare has a large share. Particularly, poor children of school age were protected. Likewise, in accordance with the aim of the republic to create a healthy society, a wide range of services was created, from hospitals to women's and children's care houses. Drying and improving swampland were common practices to combat epidemic diseases such as malaria. Schooling activities in the countryside were attributed a particular importance. A considerable amount of budget was allocated for schooling not only in the centre but also in the neighboring districts and villages. The municipality intervened, especially in price increases, to improve the city's economic conditions and eliminate the negative impact of the 1929 world economic crisis. In order to revive the economic life of the city, efforts were made to make the piers in the port appropriate for the conditions of that day. As a result, Samsun Municipality succeeded in providing services to the public in many areas, such as infrastructure services, zoning and settlement activities, health, education and social aid from its establishment until 1945. Although its financial sources are extremely limited, the municipality provided Samsun with a city image and succeeded in providing services to all segments of society. The current study collected data from the Presidency of State Archives, Ottoman and Republican Archives, Samsun Municipality Assembly Decisions, Samsun 19 Mayıs Halkevi Magazine, Provincial Yearbooks, Samsun, Ahali, Aks-ı Sadâ, Haber and also T.C. Official Gazette was utilized. Furthermore, the research works written on the subject were also scrutinised. Keywords: Samsun, Municipality, Republic, 1930-1945, Activities