Summary
Highlights
The Western Front was crucial in the Turkish War of Independence. Initially, it comprised Kuvâ-yi Milliye forces, later replaced by a regular army after the unsuccessful Gediz Offensive. The front was divided, with İsmet Pasha commanding the Northern Front. The First İnönü Battle, a defensive war, saw the Turkish regular army emerge victorious, boosting morale and recruitment. İsmet Pasha was promoted to General after this victory. The battle's primary objectives for the Greeks were to enforce the Treaty of Sèvres, capture Ankara, and eliminate the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).
Internally, two major developments followed the First İnönü Battle. The 1921 Constitution (Teşkilat-ı Esasiye) was adopted, formally establishing the Turkish state. Its first principle, 'sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation,' laid the groundwork for a republic, though the official proclamation would come later. Secondly, the National Anthem (İstiklal Marşı) was accepted on March 12, 1921. Written by Mehmet Akif Ersoy, it was dedicated to the heroic army and first published in Hakimiyet-i Milliye newspaper. Ersoy, a member of parliament for Burdur, did not take the prize money, donating it to charity, as he believed the anthem was a national, not personal, achievement.
Externally, the victory led to the London Conference. Britain, wanting to soften the Treaty of Sèvres and stall for time for the Greeks, invited both the Ottoman government and the TBMM. Ahmet Tevfik Pasha, representing the Ottoman government, famously conceded the floor to Bekir Sami Kunduh, the TBMM's Foreign Minister, asserting that the true representatives were the TBMM. This act prevented disunity and affirmed the TBMM's legitimacy internationally, marking the first time the Entente Powers recognized the TBMM's existence, although no agreement was reached due to the TBMM's insistence on the National Pact (Misak-ı Millî).
The TBMM also forged important agreements. The Afghanistan Friendship Treaty established mutual support between the two nations, and Afghanistan became the first Islamic country to recognize the TBMM. The Moscow Treaty with Soviet Russia was also critical. Both countries shared an enemy in capitalist Europe, leading to an alliance. Russia recognized the TBMM and rejected the Treaty of Sèvres. This agreement also voided all previous Ottoman-Russian treaties, effectively abolishing capitulations regarding Russia, and included a provision about the status of the Turkish Straits. However, in exchange for Russian support, the TBMM ceded Batum to Georgia, marking the first concession from the National Pact. The Moscow Treaty made Soviet Russia the first major Western European power to recognize the TBMM, offering military and financial aid vital for the Turkish War of Independence.
The key events following the First İnönü Battle are often remembered with the acronym 'TİLİM': Teşkilat-ı Esasiye (1921 Constitution), İstiklal Marşı (National Anthem), Londra Konferansı (London Conference), Afganistan Dostluk Antlaşması (Afghanistan Friendship Treaty), and Moskova Antlaşması (Moscow Treaty). The 1921 Constitution and National Anthem were internal developments, while the others were external. These events collectively solidified the TBMM's authority and international standing, demonstrating the significant impact of the First İnönü Battle on the course of the War of Independence.