Abstract:

Having a structure convenient for defence and being on the crossroads of main routes, Erzurum Province has an important position regarding military, political and economic aspects. This condition made vicinity of Erzurum the main target for Tsarist Russia which had some expectations on the area. The Russian Army, having turned towards for Erzurum from 19th century onwards, made its existence felt in the area with the new offensive move during World War I. Nevertheless, western press followed the fierce battles taking place in the Caucasian Front day by day through the sources based in Petrograd-London-Paris and perceived the fall of Erzurum as one of the most significant political incidents in 1916. In this study, the fall of Erzurum to Russian occupation on February 16, 1916 and its reflections in western public opinion will be studied through leading newspapers and journals of that time

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