Abstract:

This study investigates the telegraphs that were sent to the Istanbul government, the delegates of Entente States (Allies), the Assembly of Notables, press organizations, President Wilson, the presidencies of Müdafaa-i Hukuk Cemiyeti [Defense Law Society], Redd-i İlhak Cemiyeti [Refusal of Annex Society], and to the other public authorities in Istanbul to determine how the content of these missives expressed the thoughts and feelings experienced by the entire nation two months into the occupation of Izmir. To achieve this aim, the study examines the social status of the people who sent the telegraphs, the distribution of the governmental departments from which the telegraphs were sent, and the topics of the telegraphs, determines the prevalence of the places from which the telegraphs were sent within the current borders of Turkey and the social representation level of the telegraphs, and finally, identifies whether the government or the people were the sources of reaction. During the period in question, it is known that the middle-class was at the helm of organizing the War of Independence and that for two months, sixty demonstrations were held, later rising in number to somewhere between five hundred and a thousand. In identifying the main focus of the social reactions and thereby, the bases of the War of Independence, it was seen that the widespread social reaction, where making sacrifices and being possessed of a sense of unity were key elements, contributed to securing victory.

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