Özet:

In the prelude of the first Balkan War (1912­13) Gazi Ahmed  Muhtar Pasha was appointed Grand Vizier. The first action of his cabinet was to remove the martial law in July 1912. This  provided suitable conditions  for political  actions  in Istanbul. The Government’s  apathy towards  the war preparations  undertaken by the Balkan states  to end the Ottoman rule led Darülfünun  (University) students to make demonstrations in order to urge the government to  take actions. As  a result  of these demonstrations, the Government  re­instituted  the martial law and started to undertake reforms in Rumeli instigated by European  powers. As  Serbian  and Bulgarian forces entered Ottoman territories on  16th  October 1912, the Ottoman government declared war the day after. The city of Edirne was besieged by the Bulgarian army and the city had to survive under deplorable conditions until 22nd July 1913 when the Ottoman forces reclaimed  the city in 1913. Right  after the release of the Edirne, Darülfünun  students initiated an aid campaign and organised a journey to the city in order to convey  the aid material to its citizens who had much suffered during the occupation.

Anahtar Kelimeler: