Turk-Soviet relations during the Turkish War of Independence (1919-1923)

In this thesis, after giving general information about the situation of the Ottoman Empire and the Russian Tsardom in the First World War and after the war; the Turkish-Soviet relations from the time Mustafa Kemal landed in Samsun on 19 May 1919 and started the Turkish War of Independence to the Treaty of Lausanne, when the war ended, were discussed. The aim of the research was to examine what developments took place in this period of Turkish-Soviet relations and the Soviet aid to the Turkish War of Independence. The diplomatic relations in this period, the events on the Eastern Front, the left movements in Anatolia, which were influenced by the Bolshevik Revolution, the weapons, ammunition and financial aid provided by the Soviets to the Turkish War of Independence formed the main subject of the study. During the source researches, Russian, Turkish and English sources written on this subject were examined. Apart from books, articles and internet resources, the news in the Turkish, Russian and Western press on the subject were also used. Thus, the contributions of Mustafa Kemal-Lenin friendship, positive developments in Turkish-Soviet relations, and securing the Eastern borders, to the National Struggle were revealed. Also, the important contributions of field Marshal Frunze's visit and Aralov's appointment as the Soviet Russian Ambassador to the relations were specified. In addition, it was emphasized how the Turkish-Soviet friendship and its effects on the National Struggle were carefully followed by the Western world and what kind of thoughts were formed.