Abstract:

During The World War II, epidemics had severe consequences in many countries where the war was effective. Although he did not actually participate in the war, Turkey had its share of this situation and because of the economic picture created by the war around the world, it was in the fight against epidemic diseases throughout the country. Bursa, which was the fourth largest city of Turkey during the war, became a city where epidemic diseases were seen intensely. Due to the economic conditions during the war years, the poverty experienced in all areas also prevented the provision of adequate hygiene conditions in the society. Smallpox, typhus, malaria, and tuberculosis were epidemic diseases that caused the death of many people in this period and were heavily felt in the city. However, despite the intense work of both local administration and state-supported work organizations in the fight against the epidemic, it was insufficient. The aim of this study is to reveal the picture that emerged in Bursa under the influence of the severe conditions caused by the war and to make various inferences in this area. In the study conducted official sources of the period, especially the archive documents obtained from the Presidency Directorate of State Archives, and many periodicals that had an impact on the local were used. In addition, many copyrighted works and thesis studies related to the subject have been of sources that have been examined in detail in the study.

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