Seyhan (Adana)city in republic era with its historical, social, political and economic aspects (1923-1956)

In historical time flow Cukurova and Adana expressions became one and used for each other. Gulek Pass which is this regions important strategical place and region?s important productive areas which is in Adana province frontier was effective for that two expressions became one. Because of this specialities, in history there were a lot of countries which wanted to have this region. This region was conquered by Turkish people at last. Turkish people started to live in here by Abbasid, then they gathered under Ramazanoğulları and after that under Ottoman State govern until now. Turkish governing stabilized this region which was always in crisis, in economic and social way. Because of that, trade activitiy increased and as a result lots of mosques, medressehs, public baths, caravansary has been built. However, Ottoman States stabilized condition started to corrupt. Cukurova region was effected of this situation too. Because of conflict, some of important Turkoman tribes even tried to rebellion. But, İbrahim Pasha who took control of the region between 1833-1840 years, succeeded in becoming authority of the region. In this years, some of agricultural reforms were done and Cukurova?s fate has changed. However, after region became Ottoman State?s region once again in 1840, order was destroyed. After that, Ottoman officials, took control of Turkomans in the region and made them live in stable place by soldiers named Fırka-i İslahiye. Turkomans also needed for cotton production. Because of increased agricultural production, first industy factories has been built. During the end of the 19th century, Adana-Mersin railway construction and increased trade activity started the capitalist progressive of region by connection with world markets. However, with the 1909 Armanian events, 1st World War and the Turkish War of Independence, economic and social situation of Adana was destroyed. Except that industy factories which appeared in Ottomans latest periods and continued to existing in republic period had important additions to city and city has become like old days in a short time. This period resulted with a huge change of Cukurova region in 1950's centered on Adana. Seyhan Dam, Adana Cement Factory and Incirlik Military Base, and the aid of tractor which was sent to region by "Marshall Asist" constructed the basic of this change. With the increasing of tractors, lands which is to be sown were increased and this lands watered by Seyhan Dam, so crops increased in a big rate. In addition to this, cheap electricity which is produced from dam is started to used in industry and products are produced cheaper, so region is increased to trade competition in international countries. As a result, as there were cash, region had new industry facilities and started to have migration rapidly. However, that period?s officials couldn?t adapt this rapid develeopments, and so Adana changed into crooked urbanization city. In this study, socio-economic structure of Adana city, between 1923-1956 years, will be evaluated with various ways. Key Words Adana, Seyhan, Çukurova, Cotton, History of the City