Batum immigrants (1914-1930)

Abstract

After the acquisition of Batum by Russia through the Berlin Congress, mass migration movements were observed from this region to Anatolia. Migrations from Batum to Anatolia continued over the course of World War I, the Turkish War of Independence and the early years of the Republic. the settlement demands of immigrants coming from Batum and its surroundings were generally received positively both by the Ottoman government and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Housing and land were provided to immigrants who came to Turkey and these immigrants were settled in various provinces and districts of Anatolia. Those who fulfilled the conditions were also given the right for citizenship. This study deals with the situation of immigrants who came to Turkey from Batum during World War I, the Turkish War of Independence and the early years of the Republic in the light of various archival documents.