Non-muslims of Bursa during the period of NationalStruggle

The aim of this study is to discuss the place and importance of non-Muslim people in the history of Bursa city. The Bursa region has been home to various civilizations throughout history. The founding history of the city dates back to Paleolithic times. Its location on the transition point between Anatolia and Europe has caused the city to attract attention throughout its history. Throughout history, Bursa has been under the rule of Phrygian, Lydis, Persian, Bithynia, Roman and Byzantine, respectively. It came under the rule of the Turks during the Anatolian Seljuks. The fact that the city was made the capital of the country during the period when it was under the rule of the Anatolian Seljuk State and then the Ottoman Empire is important in terms of reflecting its strategic importance. It is known that in a long historical process under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, the relations between the state and society and society were maintained in harmony. With the start of the innovation movements of the Ottoman Empire and the proclamation of the Kanun-ı Esasi, arrangements were made in the social order. The innovation movements initiated during the disintegration period were not sufficient for the recovery of the Ottoman Empire. Citing the articles of the Mudros Armistice, which was signed after the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I, the Entente States started occupations in Anatolia. Izmir was occupied by the Greeks on May 15, 1919. The occupation process continued with the occupation of the cities in the Western Anatolia region. In order to resist the enemy occupation, the Turks were organized by establishing organizations called Kuva-ı Milliye. At this point, the attitudes and behaviors of non-Muslims against the occupation have a vital place. In this study, it will be emphasized what the attitudes of the non-Muslim people living in Bursa were from the beginning of the National Struggle period to the liberation of the city, and how they behaved.