May 4th: Dersim’s Tertele Genocide Memorial Day
- Survivors and their descendants frequently enough refer to the events of 1937 and 1938 in Dersim as "Tertele" (the day the world went down) or "Roza Şaye" (the...
- the massacres stemmed from the Turkish government's pursuit of a homogeneous state under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, leading to policies of Turkification and Islamization.
- In his 1936 parliamentary address, Ataturk stated, "If there is something important in our inner affairs, then it is only that of the matter.
Dersim Massacre: A Dark Chapter in Turkish history
Survivors and their descendants frequently enough refer to the events of 1937 and 1938 in Dersim as “Tertele” (the day the world went down) or “Roza Şaye” (the black day), marking the beginning of a massacre targeting Alevi Kurds and Kurds in the region. Estimates suggest that between 70,000 and 80,000 peopel were killed in what is considered the second-largest mass murder in Turkey after the Armenian Genocide. Tens of thousands more were subsequently deported from the area. Critics contend that international silence facilitated these atrocities.
Background: Homogenization and Turkification Policies
the massacres stemmed from the Turkish government’s pursuit of a homogeneous state under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, leading to policies of Turkification and Islamization. The “Settlement Law” (İskan kanunu) of 1934 aimed to dissolve concentrated populations by deporting individuals to different regions of the country. dersim, which had maintained a degree of autonomy within the Ottoman Empire due to its geographical isolation and diverse ethnic and religious makeup, became the first target of this depopulation effort.
In his 1936 parliamentary address, Ataturk stated, “If there is something important in our inner affairs, then it is only that of the matter. In order to tackle and clean this terrible pus inside, with the root, we have to do everything, no matter what it cost, and the government has to be equipped with far-reaching decisions so that it can meet.”
Uprising against Assimilation
Initially, the government abolished tribal and religious institutions in Dersim and confiscated their properties. The region was renamed Tunceli (meaning ”Iron Hand” in Turkish) and placed under military administration, granting authorities the power to make arrests and carry out deportations. This political and administrative reorganization, enforced thru military repression, led to the imposition of a state of emergency.
In 1937, an uprising against the Kemalist government’s assimilation and Turkification policies emerged, led by figures such as Pîr Sey Rıza (also known as Seyit Rıza) and the pair of Alişêr and Zarife, who spearheaded armed resistance. The significant role of women in the Kurdish resistance has past roots. However, the Dersim uprising was brutally suppressed, resulting in what manny describe as physical and cultural genocide.
The “Final Solution”
The Turkish government responded to demands for the abolition of the “Tunceli” laws and administrative reform with a military invasion. A secret decision by the Turkish Council of Ministers on May 4, 1937, authorized the army to carry out a “final solution” to the Dersim problem. Approximately 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers participated in the “Council and Deportation” operation, executing orders with extreme brutality. Reports indicate that men,women,children,and the elderly were shot or bayoneted to conserve ammunition. Children were allegedly kidnapped and deported, or lured with their mothers into the mountains and burned alive. Entire villages were razed and bombed by fighter planes.
In September 1937, the Turkish government offered a ceasefire, including a peace treaty and compensation. Sey Rıza, then 75 years old, traveled to Ezirgan (Erzincan) for peace talks but was arrested, summarily sentenced to death, and executed on November 15, 1937, along with his son Resik û con and five colleagues: Wusênê Seydi, Aliye Mirzê sili, Hesen Ağa, Fındık Ağa, and Hesenê Ivraimê, in Xarpêt (Elazığ).
Escalation of Violence
Following the execution of the leaders, the resistance continued, but by the spring of 1938, the military launched a renewed offensive. With Dersim lacking leadership, the military faced less organized opposition. The approximately 100,000 soldiers engaged in even greater brutality, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of people, primarily women and children. Civilians seeking refuge in mountain caves were walled in, poisoned, or burned alive. Many victims, particularly women, reportedly jumped from cliffs into the Munzur River to avoid capture.Tens of thousands were forcibly deported.
International Complicity allegations
The massacres in Dersim allegedly occurred with the knowledge and, in some cases, the participation of major powers, including Great Britain and Nazi Germany. The German ambassador to Trabzon reportedly received detailed reports of the atrocities but did not issue any protest.Furthermore, documents from Turkish state archives suggest that the poison gas used by the Turkish army originated from production facilities in Nazi Germany, with Turkish soldiers allegedly receiving training from German specialists in the use of these chemical weapons.
Calls for Recognition and Reconciliation
Decades later,the assimilatory state ideology of “one state,one nation,one language” persists in Turkey. Alevi organizations have been calling for an official apology and recognition of the massacre as genocide for years. They demand access to all state archives and other sources from 1937 to 1939 to facilitate a thorough inquiry. Further demands include research into the whereabouts of missing persons,identification of all victims,the restoration of the Dersim province name,and the disclosure of the location of anonymous mass graves where the executed leaders of the uprising were buried.
Dersim Massacre: Unveiling a Dark Chapter in Turkish History
The Dersim massacre, a tragic event in Turkish history, remains a sensitive topic. This Q&A aims too provide a factual adn comprehensive overview of the events of 1937-38, the context surrounding them, and their lasting impact. Details is drawn directly from the provided text.
What was the Dersim Massacre?
The Dersim Massacre refers to a series of events in 1937 and 1938 in the Dersim region of Turkey (now Tunceli). It involved the killings of tens of thousands of Alevi Kurds and Kurds, along with the forced deportation of many more. It’s considered one of the darkest episodes in modern turkish history.
What were the main factors leading to the Dersim Massacre?
Several key factors contributed to the Dersim Massacre:
- homogenization policies: The Turkish government, under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, aimed to create a homogenous state, leading to policies of Turkification and Islamization.
- Assimilation Efforts: The “Settlement Law” of 1934 targeted regions like Dersim, aiming to depopulate them and assimilate their inhabitants into the dominant Turkish culture.
- autonomy and Resistance: Dersim had historically maintained a degree of autonomy, and the local population resisted the government’s attempts at control.
Why was Dersim targeted specifically?
Dersim,due to its geographical isolation and diverse ethnic and religious makeup (primarily Alevi Kurds),was seen as a challenge to the government’s plan for a unified,homogenous Turkey. its relative autonomy made it a prime target for the implementation of assimilation policies.
What was the “Final Solution” and how was it implemented?
The “Final solution,” a term used in the provided text, refers to the Turkish government’s military operation in Dersim aimed at quelling the resistance. In 1937, after demands for reforms were ignored, the army was authorized to carry out this operation. Approximately 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers participated, employing extreme brutality. this included:
- Executing men, women, children, and the elderly.
- Kidnapping and deporting children.
- burning entire villages.
- Bombing villages from the air.
Who was Sey Rıza and what happened to him?
Pîr Sey Rıza, also known as seyit Rıza, was a key leader of the resistance in Dersim. After a ceasefire was offered, he traveled to Erzincan (formerly Ezirgan) for peace talks but was arrested. He was summarily sentenced to death and executed on November 15, 1937, in Elazığ (formerly Xarpêt) along with his son and several colleagues.
How did the violence escalate after the execution of the leaders?
Following the execution of the resistance leaders, the violence escalated. In the spring of 1938, the military launched a renewed offensive, encountering less organized opposition. This resulted in even greater brutality, with:
- Tens of thousands of deaths, primarily of women and children.
- Civilians being walled in,poisoned,or burned alive in caves.
- Forced deportations of tens of thousands of people.
Were any other countries involved in the Dersim Massacre?
According to the provided text, there are allegations of international complicity, including:
- Great Britain: Allegedly, the massacre occured with their knowledge and, in some cases, their participation.
- Nazi Germany: The German ambassador to Trabzon reportedly received detailed reports of the atrocities without protest. Moreover, the use of poison gas by the Turkish army allegedly originated from Nazi Germany.German specialists were also said to have trained Turkish soldiers.
What is the legacy of the Dersim Massacre?
The legacy of the Dersim massacre includes:
- Lasting Trauma: Survivors and their descendants continue to grapple with the trauma of the atrocities.
- Assimilatory Ideology: The “one state, one nation, one language” ideology persists in Turkey.
What are the current calls for recognition and Reconciliation?
Alevi organizations and other groups are calling for:
- An official apology.
- Recognition of the massacre as genocide.
- Access to state archives from 1937-1939, for thorough inquiry.
- Research into the whereabouts of missing persons.
- Identification of all victims.
- Restoration of the Dersim province name.
- Disclosure of mass grave locations.
What kind of resistance was there to the government’s actions?
Initially, local tribal and religious institutions were abolished in Dersim, along with the confiscation of their properties. When the region was renamed tunceli (meaning ”Iron Hand” in Turkish) and placed under military governance, this military repression led to a state of emergency. An uprising against thes policies formed in 1937, led by figures like Pîr Sey Rıza and the pair of Alişêr and Zarife.
Who was Sabiha Gökçen,and what role did she play?
The text notes that Sabiha Gökçen,Atatürk’s adopted daughter,piloted one of the planes that bombed Dersim villages. She is a controversial figure in Turkey, and numerous streets and one of Istanbul’s major airports are named after her.
How many people were killed in the Dersim Massacre?
Estimates suggest that between 70,000 and 80,000 people were killed in the Dersim Massacre.
What did Ataturk say about Dersim?
In a 1936 address,Ataturk said,”If there is something important in our inner affairs,then it is only that of the matter. In order to tackle and clean this terrible pus inside, with the root, we have to do everything, no matter what it cost, and the government has to be equipped with far-reaching decisions so that it can meet.”
Key Figures and Their Roles
here’s a rapid overview of some key figures mentioned in the text:
| Figure | Role | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Mustafa Kemal Atatürk | President of Turkey | Promoted policies that led to the Dersim Massacre. |
| Sey Rıza (Seyit Rıza) | Resistance leader | A key figure in the uprising against the government. Executed. |
| Alişêr and Zarife | Resistance leaders | Spearheaded armed resistance; key figures in the Dersim uprising. |
| Sabiha Gökçen | Pilot | Piloted one of the planes that bombed Dersim villages. |