Circassians of Türkiye - From the Ottoman Empire to Turkey War Violence Nationalism

“For the administrators of the early Republican period, Circassianism was a phenomenon that reminded them of the Ottoman past that they did not want to remember, the civil war between Istanbul and Ankara, or the 'traitor' Circassian Ethem. On the other hand, since most of the population is in villages and rural areas, the Circassians were not completely assimilated or adopted the Turkish identity.”

Caner Yelbaşı tells the story of the Circassians during the nation-state building process from the First World War to the Republic period. The period of 1919-1920, which witnessed major separations and fractures, has a special place in this process. Circassians who support the Sultan and the Istanbul Government - and Circassians who support the Kuva-yi Milliye and the Ankara Government... Cooperation - and competition between the Circassian paramilitary forces and the Ankara government... The "issue" of Circassian Ethem, who turned from a powerful and respected ally to an enemy... Circassian Ethem' The narrowly attended "Circassian Congress" held in the Greek-occupied region in Izmir after the liquidation of Turkey - and the indifference of the large Circassian majority to this "separatist" initiative...

The book explains that the perception of threat against Circassians continued for a long time after the establishment of the Republic. The formation of this perception is due to both the memory traces of the Circassian Ethem experience and the involvement of some prominent Circassians in the Union and Progress opposition against Mustafa Kemal; The fact that the Circassians were seen as remnants of the old regime, in which they held a prestigious position, played a role. However, over time, it seems that the regime's threat perception regarding the Circassians has disappeared. Moreover, they find wide employment, especially in the state security apparatus. "Issues" regarding language and identity rights will begin to make themselves known gradually only after the 1950s...

A work that serves as a basic reference source about the last hundred years of history of the Circassians in Türkiye.

(From the Promotional Bulletin)

Dough Type: 2nd Dough

Size: 13 x 19.5

First Print Year: 2019

Number of Printings: 1st Edition

Language Turkish