Ereğli Coal Basin and formation in Republic Era

Ereğli Coal Basin has kept its importance since it was discovered. Process, starting with discovery in 1829 in Zonguldak Ereğli, has kept on going both managing the company and marketing it to in national and international markets. During Ottoman period, the company was operated by domestic and foreign capital owners. However, the desired production target couldn?t be reached. In 1867, during Dilaver Pasha Period, compulsory working application was made, it wasn?t successful though. During Bahriye surveillance it was allowed to cell % 40 of the produced coal and it increased the production of coal and capital flow to the company. But as the foreign capital tried to out according to its own benefit, the production couldn?t be as targeted. Production of coal was influenced by the harsh conditions the war and Constitutional Monarchy.In such hard conditions management of the coal basin passed to National Government. National Government?s positive attitude resulted in too much work in coal basin. First, the period starting with encouraging the private enterprises, continued with governmental management as the private sector was inadequate about heavy industry. Both with the help of İzmir Economic Congress and İş Bank and after the amendment Encouraging Industry, the coal mines experienced a major change. Therefore the difference between domestic capital and foreign capital emerged. With the applications between 1930 and 1940 coal mine basin experienced a big change. But, because of the II.World War development slowed.Ereğli Coal Basin also comes in to mind in ?Job Obligation Application? which was applied after Second World War to increase the production of coal. Between 1940-1947 people are forced to work in the coal mine in harsh conditions. And in this part of thesis, the information is gathered by talking to those people, having been forced to work. When having these talks ?Oral History? method is used. Questions prepared before are asked to the ?Obliged workers? and than analysed. As the age of the people is over 80, it shows the importance and hardness of the work. The result is quite benefited. Because it is quite hard to find people having worked in the coal mines over 80 as our life expectancy is short.Key Words: Ereğli, Coal, Dilaver Pasha, National Protection Act, Job Obligation, Oral History.