Havza Circular

Imagine a country that speaks with one voice! Imagine everyone demanding independence in unison. This is precisely what the Havza Circular was: the first time this voice resounded powerfully across all of Anatolia.

After arriving in Samsun, Mustafa Kemal Pasha wished to continue his work from a safer location. Therefore, on 25 May 1919, he arrived in Havza with his companions. His goal was to awaken the nation against occupation and to unite everyone in common purpose. When he met the people of Havza, he told them something profoundly important: “We will never be hopeless, we will work and we will save our homeland.” These words became a beacon of hope for a people grieving for their country in those days.

^{Havza Genelgesi'ni temsil eden görsel (Yapay zekayla oluşturulmuştur)}

During his 19 days in Havza, Mustafa Kemal Pasha did not limit himself to organizing rallies; he also laid out the grand strategy to save the homeland. His plan was built on four fundamental pillars: awakening the people against occupation, securing the support of the army, uniting the scattered national societies, and placing the will of the nation above all else. To him, true power lay in the people themselves. Therefore, he secretly sent letters to all commanders and governors across Anatolia, urging them to rally around this great cause. This plan was like a map of freedom, showing how the Turkish nation would move as one.

The flame of independence ignited in Havza deeply alarmed the British and the government in Istanbul. British commanders, disturbed by Mustafa Kemal’s mobilization of the people, demanded his immediate recall to Istanbul. Under this pressure, the Istanbul government issued Mustafa Kemal Pasha the order: “Return immediately!”

But Mustafa Kemal had no intention of returning. He knew that if he went back to Istanbul, the National Struggle would be left incomplete. In a historic message to the Sultan, he declared that he would remain in Anatolia until independence was achieved and would continue to work for the nation with unwavering dedication.

^{Havza Genelgesi'ni temsil eden görsel (Yapay zekayla oluşturulmuştur)}

28 May 1919 saw Mustafa Kemal Pasha send a crucial letter, known as a “circular,” to all administrators across Anatolia. This circular was in fact the first official plan drawn up to save the homeland.

The letter called on the people and officials to:

• Organize large and passionate rallies to protest the occupation of the homeland.
• Send telegrams to the government in Istanbul and foreign states asserting our rights.
• Act in unity and solidarity.

At Mustafa Kemal’s request,激动人心的集会在Havza举行。 30 May saw thousands gather together. Prayers were offered in mosques and speeches on freedom were delivered in public squares. These rallies marked the first major official act of defiance, demonstrating to the entire world that the Turkish nation would take charge of its own future.

^{Havza Genelgesi'ni temsil eden görsel (Yapay zekayla oluşturulmuştur)}