Mustafa Kemal, departing from Istanbul with Bandirma Steamship landed in Anatolian territories in the morning on 19 May 1919 in Samsun. The reason for his being sent to Anatolia was to see and examine lack of public order and to take measures in Samsun and in the vicinity thereof. Mustafa Kemal Pasha, after having signed his popular circular named Amasya Circular, went to Sivas on 27 June 1919 to pass to Erzurum. Within the 1-day period he stayed in the city, he conveyed the necessary order to the concerned people for the Congress to be held in Sivas pursuant to the one in Erzurum and departed.
Atatürk, arrived in Erzurum on 3 July 1919. 5 days after he arrived, he resigned from his military profession, which he liked much and from his duty, on 8/9 July 1919. Now he was carrying on his historical duty taking his strength from and being inspired by the nation. Upon the wish of Erzurum people pursuant to his resignation from military profession, he was made the Activity Delegation Chairman of Erzurum branch of Eastern Provinces Organization for Defending Rights of Nation.
The organization was preparing for a congress containing eastern provinces in accordance with a decision reached beforehand. It was possible that Mustafa Kemal took part in this congress as the Chairman of Activity Delegation, but he wanted to participate as a member from Erzurum, in particular. However, Erzurum members were elected beforehand, but a solution was found. Two distinguished son of Erzurum, Kazım Yurdalan and Cevat Dursunoglu resigned from their membership from Erzurum, leaving their positions to Mustafa Kemal and Rauf Bey. So Mustafa Kemal Pasha could take part in the congress in a legitimate way.
Erzurum Congress was gathered in a single-storey Primary School hall on 23 July 1919 with attendance of 62 delegates. The Congress, working like a founder council, continued for 14 days and ended its activities on 7 August 1919. The congress was opened as the provisional chairman by Hodja Raif Effendi, one of the Erzurum Delegates, and after roll call, election of the chairman started. Mustafa Kemal was elected as the chairman after the election. It was not a coincidence that a congress of symbolic importance for national struggle was gathered in Erzurum. Erzurum was one of the regions where consciousness of defense revealed in the strongest way. Erzurum Congress formed a turning point on Turkish History. Initial foundations of Turkish Independence war were constructed in this Congress, and the historical decisions reached constituted the main principles of national fight.
Erzurum Congress, with its decision concerning the whole country exceeded a local congress and effected all events to develop afterwards. Sivas Congress decisions were based on Erzurum Congress decisions. Erzurum Congress decisions formed a base for Misak-ı Milli (National Oath). Reason of assembly of Turkish Parliament was based on Erzurum Congress decisions. The spirit of Mudanya and Lozan Agreements advocating independence were inspired by the decisions of Erzurum Congress. The spirit of Republic regime was based on domination of national will.