Social and economic situations in provinces of Erzurum adn Van after World War I.

World War I destroyed provinces of Eastern Anatolia socially and economically, which was incredibly higher than other Ottoman provinces. While Russia and Ottoman empires were fighting, Armenians who are one of minorities of Ottoman Empires has played determinative roles in the war by joining the war in Russians' side. After having negative results from Sarıkamış Operation, provinces such as Erzurum, Van, Trabzon, and Bitlis were occupied by enemies and public's struggle for life which continues for years and involves famine, poverty, and deaths have started. Even though occupations were done in 1918, public's struggle for life has been continuing for years. Searching what publics struggle continued erienced before and after 1918 is important because it gives opportunity to learn about history from ordinary people. In this context, our study handles with social and economic life of public who lives in Erzurum and Van provinces, whose land was occupied by Russia between 1915 and 1916, and whose land was saved from the occupation together (Vilayat-ı Müstahlasa). The study involves events in Kafkas front, which caused the occupation of Eastern Anatolia provinces, Russian administration in such provinces with the the beginning of the World War I, and existing conditions in Erzurum and Van after the emancipation of these provinces. Additionally, each of these provinces' conditions of economy, commerce, transportation, communication are compared, and health education, situation of gamins are determined after and before 1918. By this way, Armenians' claims about the region of Erzurum and Van are handled. As a consequence, it was determined that all Ottoman efforts about reviving social life of provinces which are ruined in terms of public work and housing were not enough due to the lack of money. It was concluded that public couldn't supply their own needs.