Bolshevik tendencies and sources in the Turkish Press during the National Struggle Period

Abstract

The post-World War I conjuncture provided a conducive environment for an alliance between Bolshevik Russia and Türkiye, as both faced common adversaries. The nationalist cadres spearheading the National Struggle in Türkiye sought to establish contact with the Bolsheviks to counter the pressure imposed by the Entente Powers and explored grounds for collaboration. However, the emergence of various political actors amid the vacuum of authority in Türkiye significantly delayed the establishment of Ankara-Moscow relations. The primary actors engaging with the Bolsheviks immediately after the signing of the Armistice of Mudros included the Unionists, Mustafa Suphi’s team, and the Green Army. This study examines these distinct actors who played pivotal roles in relations with the Bolsheviks during the National Struggle period, operating independently of the official initiatives of the Ankara government. Additionally, it seeks to uncover the impact of these actors on the Turkish press of the era, particularly their influence on how Bolshevism and relations with the Bolsheviks were portrayed. To this end, the study comprehensively analyzes the publications of various newspapers and magazines from different regions of Anatolia during the National Struggle, including Hâkimiyet-i Milliye, İrâde-i Milliye, İzmir’e Doğru, Açıksöz, Anadolu’da Yenigün, İstikbâl, Albayrak, and Öğüt, as well as Sebilürreşad. I. In addition to these pro-National Struggle publications, the study examines the approaches of Alemdar and Peyâm-ı Sabah newspapers, known for their opposition to the National Struggle, toward the Bolsheviks.