Turkish nationalist leaders convened the Erzurum Congress in Erzurum on July 23, 2026 [2].

The gathering served as a critical milestone in the transition from the Ottoman era to the modern Republic of Turkey. By organizing a unified front, the delegates sought to establish the political and military framework necessary to secure national sovereignty.

The congress occurred 107 years ago [1]. During this period, the region faced significant instability following the end of World War I. The primary objective of the delegates was to organize a formal resistance against the occupying forces present in the territory.

These leaders focused on laying the groundwork for a future Turkish state. The discussions in Erzurum centered on the necessity of a national movement to prevent the partitioning of the homeland, a strategy that would eventually lead to the War of Independence.

The Erzurum Congress is remembered as the moment when the fate of the nation began to shift toward self-determination. The delegates coordinated efforts to mobilize military and civilian support to challenge foreign mandates. This coordination ensured that the resistance was not fragmented but operated under a centralized vision for a sovereign republic.

Historical records indicate that the meeting established the principles of national independence. The resolve shown by the nationalist leaders in Erzurum provided the momentum required to transition from local resistance to a national government. This process eventually culminated in the formal establishment of the Republic of Turkey, ending centuries of imperial rule.

“The Erzurum Congress convened, a key milestone in the foundation of the modern Republic of Turkey.”

The Erzurum Congress represents the shift from spontaneous local resistance to a structured political movement. By defining the goals of the nationalist movement in 1919, the delegates created the legal and ideological precursor to the Turkish War of Independence and the subsequent abolition of the Ottoman sultanate.