Karadeniz’de Millî Mücadele Yıllarında Rum Nakline Giden Süreç (1921)

Abstract

During the First World War, deportation was carried out in the Black Sea region as a result of the activities of the Greeks such as espionage and gangs (1916). With this practice, the transfer of the Black Sea Greeks to the inner regions took place. During the years of the National Struggle, the Greeks of the Black Sea continued their activities of espionage, gangs and associations. In 1919, while the Greek activities in the Black Sea region continued intensively, the events intensified in the Samsun region. The Greek gangs, equipped with weapons and ammunition that were brought to the region by secret means, started to show their influence in Trabzon after the occupation of Izmir. The Ankara Government had to take some precautions especially for the Black Sea Greeks who were working to establish the Pontus state. Independence courts were appointed in regions where Pontic activities were intense. At the same time, the Central Army was formed (December 1920). On March 26, 1921, the Greeks declared that they would formally blockade the Black Sea coast and treat captured Turkish officers and soldiers as pirates, confiscate war material and sink Turkish ships. The activities of the Greek ships in the region opened up the possibility of the Greeks to make a landing and open a second front. After the bombing of İnebolu on 9 June, the Central Army offered to transfer the Greeks. The transfer of the Christian population on the Black Sea coast on 12 June was not found appropriate. However, the entire Black Sea coast was declared a war zone. In a very short time, with a new decree, a decision was made for the transfer of 15-50 year old Greeks who were able to hold a gun in the Black Sea. Guard units were formed against the dangers that may be encountered on the roads during the transport. In 1921, the transfer of the Greeks to the inner regions took place in the form of convoys.