A Process, Two Perspectives From The Turkish Press: The Biga Incident During The National Struggle Period According To The Alemdâr And Izmir’e Doğru Newspapers (February 16 - April 16, 1920)

Abstract

The occupation of Anatolia by the Allied Powers after the Armistice of Mudros caused great sadness and disappointment, especially among the public. Kuva-yı Milliye (National Forces) was established against these occupations. The National Forces fought to defend the homeland against both the occupying Allied Powers and the Istanbul Government, as well as against their own brothers who were supporters of this government. With the initiatives of the Istanbul Government under the control of the Allied Powers, rebellions and uprisings broke out throughout the country. One of the most important of these rebellions took place in Biga. Because Biga was close to Istanbul and had many supporters of the Sultan, the people of Biga were under the influence of the Istanbul government and became anti-War of Independence. In order to eliminate the National Struggle in Biga, the Istanbul Government launched the Second Anzavur rebellion centered in Biga on February 16, 1920. The British were also influential in the start of this rebellion. The Istanbul Government, through its propaganda, not only ensured that the majority of the people of Biga joined the rebellion, but also caused desertions among the troops gathered to suppress the rebellion. But later, on April 16, 1920, Çerkes Ethem suppressed this uprising. On the one hand, many media outlets in Anatolia were active in supporting the unjust occupation of Anatolia and the resistance against the occupation, while on the other hand, many pro-Caliphate and pro-Sultan media outlets were also publishing against the National Struggle and the National Forces. One of the most important of these publications was Alemdâr newspaper. This newspaper, identified with Refi’ Cevad, reflected a proIstanbul Government and Allied Powers stance; on the other hand, it openly opposed the National Struggle Movement and Kuva-yı Milliye. It carried out an intense propaganda activity aimed at influencing public opinion and developed discourses that questioned the legitimacy of the War of Independence. The Biga Incident was closely followed by the newspaper; this uprising was evaluated in a way that supported the anti-War of Independence discourse and was used extensively to direct public opinion against the resistance in Anatolia. One of the prominent press organs published during the War of Independence was the Izmir’e Doğru newspaper. This newspaper, identified with Vasıf Çınar, openly supported the Ankara Government and the War of Independence, while taking a stance against the Istanbul Government and the Allied Powers. The Izmir’e Doğru evaluated the Biga Revolt as an organized threat against the War of Independence carried out in cooperation with the Istanbul Government and external powers. In this context, it called on the people to unite around the axis of national unity and resistance and undertook the duty of defending the legitimacy and righteousness of the War of Independence. The Biga Incident was closely followed by the newspaper and covered extensively in order to raise public awareness. This study examines the media coverage of the Biga Incident through articles and texts published in the Alemdâr and the İzmir’e Doğru newspapers. By examining the different issues and pages of these newspapers published in old letters, an attempt was made to reveal how the event in question was represented by the press of the period.