THE FIRST ORDER OF THE NATIONAL STRUGGLE: İSKENDERUN

Abstract

It is said that the first resistance against the occupation of the Turkish homeland by the Allies was started by Kara Mehmet Sergeant in Dörtyol on 19 December 1918. But is this really the first resistance against the occupations? In this study, we claim that the first resistance against the occupation was given before 19 December 1918. The first resistance against the occupations started with the sinking of the British ship that had come to occupy Iskenderun with the order given by Mustafa Kemal himself. This resistance is described chronologically in our study.

Historians accept the day Mustafa Kemal landed in Samsun on 19 May 1919 as the beginning of the National Struggle. However, during his visit to Adana on March 15, 1923, in his historical speech at the Adana Turkish Hearth “…The first idea of ​​the struggle was formed in this city, this beautiful Adana…” In his statement, he clearly stated that the idea of ​​the Turkish War of Independence was formed in Adana. If we take the first resistance against the occupation of the Turkish homeland by the Entente powers after the Armistice of Mudros as the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence; We can say that the first resistance took place in Adana with the order given by Mustafa Kemal. Because the National Struggle started with the sinking of an Entente ship on 5 November 1918.

In the research; The developments immediately after the Armistice of Mudros were examined based on research works describing the period. Since Mustafa Kemal Pasha's attitude and activities are based on his correspondence with the capital, telegrams and letters that can be considered primary sources have been used