Erzincan Soviet
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Yeşilyazı
Kurdish language
Armenian language
Erzincan Soviet Erzincan Şûrası | |
|---|---|
| 1916–1921 | |
 Flag | |
| Status | Unrecognized state |
| Capital | Erzincan (1916-1918) Yeşilyazı |
| Common languages | Turkish Kurdish language Armenian language |
| Government | Soviet republic |
| Historical era | World War 1 · Revolutions of 1917–1923 |
• Established | 1916 |
• Disestablished | 1921 |
| Today part of | Turkey |
The Erzincan Soviet was a Soviet republic created by local forces in the Erzincan region of Turkey during WW1 following the Battle of Erzincan.[1][2][3] It was dissolved in 1921 by the Kuva-yi Millye's intervention in the region, though some sources pin its dissolution on the Ottoman army.
The Erzincan Soviet was the first Soviet republic to be created on Ottoman territory[4] and was modelled on the communist governments established across the territory of the Russian Empire during the Russian revolution.[5][6]
Erzincan Armistice
In 1917, the Russian armies located in Anatolia were in disarray due to indiscipline and Bolshevik influence among the army. As the February Revolution started in Russia, power in the are had passed to a force known as the Special Transcaucasian Committee. However, this committee failed to improve the situation on the front, as Russian soldiers were unwilling to fight and desertion was common. In this state of disarray, the Russian army attacked Tunceli several times but was unsuccessful.[7][8]
Following the October revolution, Russian soldiers established "Revolutionary Soldiers' Councils" on the front lines of Anatolia and arrested pro-Tsarist generals and officers. Revolutionary forces in the Russian military units were formed as the 1st Red Guard Army which then released Ottoman prisoners of war after explaining the principles of communism to them and encouraged the local population to rebel.[9][10]
Following orders from the Soviet government, the 1st Army signed the Erzincan Armistice with the Ottoman government on December 17–18, 1917. According to the terms of the agreement, all Russian armies, including the Red Guards, were to withdraw from Anatolian territories within three months. However, the Ottoman army was not permitted to enter the vacated areas.[11]
