Dersim Rebellion

Quick Facts: Who was Dersim Rebellion?

Subject:

Dersim Rebellion

Known for:

Turkish military operations against Kurdish rebels in Dersim Province during 1937-1938.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Dersim massacre, also known as the Dersim genocide, was carried out by the Turkish military over the course of three operations in the Dersim Province (renamed Tunceli) against Kurdish rebels of Alevi faith, and civilians in 1937 and 1938. Although most Kurds in Dersim remained in their home villages, thousands were killed and many others were expelled to other parts of Turkey. Twenty tons of "Chloracetophenon, Iperit and so on" were ordered and used in the massacre. According to Turkish Army general Osman Pamukoğlu in the 1990s, the Dersim massacre was carried on the operational order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. On 23 November 2011, Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan apologized for the massacre, describing it as "one of the most tragic events of our near history" adding that, whilst some sought to justify it as a legitimate response to events on the ground, it was in reality "an operation which was planned step by step".

Pivotal Works & Achievements

However, this is viewed with suspicion by some, "who see it as an opportunistic move against the main opposition party, the secular CHP", and specifically against Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, an Alevi with roots in the region. Kurdish tribes, which were feudal (manorial) communities led by chieftains (agha) during the Ottoman period, enjoyed a certain degree of freedom within the boundaries of the manors owned by the aghas. Local authority in these small manorial communities was in the hands of feudal lords, tribal chieftains and other dignitaries, who owned the land and ruled over the serfs who lived and worked on their estates. However, the general political authority in the provinces, such as Dersim, was in the hands of the Ottoman government. Following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, some Kurdish tribes became unhappy about certain aspects of Atatürk's "Kemalist policies", described as "the ideology of the new political élite tied to the single-party régime", imposing a policy of Turkification, including the removal of functionaries of "Kurdish race" in Turkish Kurdistan and land reform, and staged armed revolts that were put down by the Turkish military.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Dersim had been a particularly difficult province for the Ottoman government to control, with 11 different armed rebellions between 1876 and 1923. The rebellious stance of the aghas in Dersim continued during the early years of the Republic of Turkey. Aghas in Dersim objected to losing authority in their manorial affairs and refused to pay taxes; and complaints from the provincial governors in Dersim were sent to the central government in Ankara, which favoured land reform and direct control over the country's farmlands, as well as state planning for agricultural production. In an Interior Ministry report in 1926, it was considered necessary to use force against the aghas of Dersim. Historically, the majority of Dersim spoke Zaza, while a minority spoke Kurmanji, although it changed after the imposition of the Turkish language and bans on minority languages.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1876: 1876 Milestone — Dersim had been a particularly difficult province for the Ottoman government to control, with 11 different armed rebellions between 1876 and 1923.
2. 1923: 1923 Milestone — Following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, some Kurdish tribes became unhappy about certain aspects of Atatürk's "Kemalist policies", described as "the ideology of the new political élite tied to the single-party régime", imposing a policy of Turkification, including the removal of functionaries of "Kurdish race" in Turkish Kurdistan and land reform, and staged armed revolts that were put down by the Turkish military.
3. 1926: 1926 Milestone — In an Interior Ministry report in 1926, it was considered necessary to use force against the aghas of Dersim.
4. 1937: 1937 Milestone — The Dersim massacre, also known as the Dersim genocide, was carried out by the Turkish military over the course of three operations in the Dersim Province (renamed Tunceli) against Kurdish rebels of Alevi faith, and civilians in 1937 and 1938.
5. 2011: 2011 Milestone — On 23 November 2011, Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan apologized for the massacre, describing it as "one of the most tragic events of our near history" adding that, whilst some sought to justify it as a legitimate response to events on the ground, it was in reality "an operation which was planned step by step".

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Dersim Rebellion

True or False: “The Turkish military operations in Dersim were solely a response to armed rebellion without prior planning.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Evidence suggests the operation was planned step by step, as noted by Prime Minister Erdoğan's apology.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdelaziz Bouteflika — Historical peer (Born in 1937) (1937): Algerian politician who served as the seventh President of Algeria from 1999 to 2019.
• Alain Badiou — Historical peer (Born in 1937) (1937): Influential French philosopher known for 'Being and Event' and universalism.
• Abu Taher — Historical peer (Born in 1938) (1938): Bangladeshi military officer, insurgent, and political activist known for his role in the 1975 coups.
• Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud — Historical peer (Born in 1938) (1938): Somaliland politician, served as President from 2010 to 2017.
• Al Davis — Historical peer (Died in 2011) (2011): Pioneering NFL executive and coach, known for building the legendary Oakland Raiders.
• Alan Rubin — Historical peer (Died in 2011) (2011): American musician known for playing trumpet, flugelhorn, and piccolo trumpet.
• Aaron Spelling — Historical peer (Born in 1923) (1923): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• Ahmet Ertegun — Historical peer (Born in 1923) (1923): Pioneering Turkish-American music executive, co-founder of Atlantic Records.
• 13th Dalai Lama — Historical peer (Born in 1876) (1876): Spiritual leader of Tibet who championed national independence and modernization.
• Abdulaziz — Historical peer (Died in 1876) (1876): Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, whose reign spanned major reforms and decline.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dersim Rebellion