The Eastern Front in the Turkish War of Independence was one of the major fronts opened during the founding process of the Republic of Turkey. On the Eastern Front, war broke out between the Turkish army and Armenia. Thanks to the successes achieved on this front, Turkey’s eastern border was largely secured, and the Grand National Assembly (GNA) Government earned one of its first military and political victories. For this reason, questions such as the importance of the Eastern Front in the War of Independence, who was fought on the Eastern Front, and who was the commander of the Eastern Front frequently come up in historical research.
What Was the Eastern Front?
The Eastern Front was the area of military struggle opened in the east of Turkey during the War of Independence. On this front, war took place between the GNA Government and Armenia.
Among the reasons the Eastern Front was opened were:
- Armenian attacks
- Territorial claims over Eastern Anatolia
- The desire to secure the border
- The aim of protecting the National Pact (Misak-ı Milli)
among others.
Who Was Fought on the Eastern Front?
On the Eastern Front of the War of Independence, the main opponent was Armenia.
During this process:
- Armenian forces attempted to advance into Eastern Anatolia
- Turkish villages came under attack
- Clashes occurred in the border regions
The GNA Government launched a military operation to secure the region.
Who Was the Commander of the Eastern Front?
Kazım Karabekir was the most important commander of the Eastern Front.
Kazım Karabekir:
- Commanded the Turkish army in the region
- Organized successful military operations
- Won significant victories against Armenian forces
Due to his achievements on the Eastern Front, he is regarded as one of the important figures of the Turkish War of Independence.
Cities Recovered on the Eastern Front
The Turkish army made significant advances on the Eastern Front.
Among the cities recovered were:
- Kars
- Sarıkamış
- Ardahan
among others.
These successes played a key role in securing the eastern border.
The Importance of the Treaty of Gümrü
The Treaty of Gümrü was signed at the conclusion of the Eastern Front campaign.
The importance of this treaty can be summarized as follows:
- It was the first international treaty signed by the GNA
- Armenia recognized the National Pact
- The eastern border was largely secured
as noted above.
The Treaty of Gümrü is considered important for the international recognition of the GNA Government.
Why Was the Eastern Front Successful?
The Eastern Front in the War of Independence achieved success in a shorter time compared to other fronts.
Among the reasons for this success were:
- Strong public support
- Kazım Karabekir’s military success
- The relative weakness of Armenian forces
- The disciplined movement of the Turkish army
among others.
This success boosted the morale of the GNA.
The National Pact and the Eastern Front
The National Pact was one of the crucial decisions that defined the independence goals of the Turkish nation.
The struggle waged on the Eastern Front:
- Aimed to protect the borders defined by the National Pact
- Secured the safety of Eastern Anatolia
- Prevented Armenian claims
For this reason, the front also carried great political significance.
Relations with Soviet Russia
Following the successes achieved on the Eastern Front, relations between the GNA Government and the Soviet Union grew stronger.
During this process:
- Diplomatic contacts increased
- Aid agreements were made
- A sense of a common enemy developed
This situation also gave Turkey an advantage on the other fronts of the War of Independence.
The Results of the Eastern Front
The Eastern Front produced significant results for the Turkish War of Independence.
The main results were:
- The eastern border was secured
- The Armenian threat largely came to an end
- The GNA achieved its first political success
- The morale of the Turkish army rose
These developments made a significant contribution to the overall success of the War of Independence.
You may also be interested in our article titled What Is the Reform Edict? The Equality Debate in the Ottoman Empire and Its Effects.
The Eastern Front in the War of Independence in Brief
To summarize briefly, the Eastern Front in the War of Independence took place between the GNA Government and Armenia. The Turkish army under the command of Kazım Karabekir achieved significant successes, recovered Kars and its surroundings, and the Treaty of Gümrü was signed. This front is considered one of the GNA’s first military and political successes.
