The Founding of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey

On April 23, 1920, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey was established in Ankara, marking a pivotal moment in Turkish history and the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence. This event was instrumental in the eventual formation of the Republic of Turkey and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire.

Historical Context

Following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I, the Treaty of Sèvres was imposed by the Allied Powers in 1920, which sought to partition the Ottoman territories. This treaty was met with significant opposition within Turkey, as it threatened the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation.

Key Events Leading Up to the Assembly’s Founding

• Occupation of Istanbul: In March 1920, Allied forces occupied Istanbul, the Ottoman capital, which further galvanized nationalist sentiments across Anatolia.
• Rise of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: Mustafa Kemal, a former Ottoman military officer, emerged as a leader of the nationalist movement. He called for a national congress to resist foreign occupation and the dismemberment of Turkish lands.
• Nationalist Congresses: Prior to the assembly’s founding, several congresses were held, including the Erzurum and Sivas Congresses in 1919, which laid the groundwork for a unified national resistance.

The Establishment of the Assembly

• Location: Ankara was chosen as the site for the assembly due to its central location and relative safety from Allied forces.
• Composition: The assembly was composed of representatives from various regions of Turkey, including those who had been part of the dissolved Ottoman parliament.
• Objective: The primary goal of the assembly was to organize and lead the national struggle for independence against occupying forces and to establish a new, sovereign Turkish state.

Significance and Aftermath

• Leadership: Mustafa Kemal was elected as the first speaker of the assembly, effectively becoming the leader of the national movement.
• Legitimacy: The assembly declared itself the legitimate government of Turkey, rejecting the authority of the Ottoman Sultanate and the Treaty of Sèvres.
• War of Independence: The establishment of the assembly marked the formal beginning of the Turkish War of Independence, which lasted until 1923. The conflict resulted in the successful expulsion of occupying forces and the abolition of the Ottoman Sultanate.
• Republic of Turkey: On October 29, 1923, the Republic of Turkey was officially proclaimed, with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk as its first president, solidifying the achievements of the nationalist movement initiated by the assembly.

The founding of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on April 23, 1920, remains a cornerstone of modern Turkish history, symbolizing the nation’s struggle for independence and sovereignty.