University Solution to the Problems of Anatolia in the Early Republican Period of Turkey: Research and Educational-Enlightenment Journeys of Professors (original) (raw)

The young republic, which had set out to modernise Turkey, soon had to contend with the Sheikh Said rebellion. Although the Sheikh Said rebellion was suppressed by Ankara's measures, the process inevitably caused a shock in the country. The atmosphere in the country, the reactions to the rebellion, the problems of Anatolia and even the search for solutions to existing problems were put on the agenda. Darülfünun was one of the institutions that developed solutions to the problems of Anatolia. As a matter of fact, students are responsible for informing/awareness of the local people about the problems of Eastern Anatolia; With the aim of helping them to adapt to the state and the new development process, they started an initiative to establish delegations consisting of Darülfünun people/intellectuals who would travel and work in Anatolia. This planning was transformed into Research and Educational-Enlightenment Committees consisting of the leading professors of the time, and three groups of professors were determined to follow different paths. The groups of professors organised various conferences, held some events and carried out studies. They completed their trip in the autumn of 1925 and shared their results with some activities. Although Darülfünun was sometimes criticised by the press, these activities of Darülfünun in Anatolia influenced different groups or organisations and set an example. This study, based on periodicals and other sources, examines the professors' travels in Anatolia. Research and Educational-Enlightenment Committees are considered as a limited initiative that is in the line of public education studies and has influenced and mobilized some segments of society.