The assembly of Erzurum Congress was resolved upon the cooperation of the provinces of Erzurum and Trebizond against the Armenians and Greek desires over the region. As it is known, the territorial integrity of the Eastern regions was assured in accordance with the Brest-Litovsk Agreement that had been concluded between the Ottoman State and Russia. However, the Allied States did not recognise this agreement. The Armenians who took courage from this situation started to attack to the Eastern provinces. Furthermore, there was an opinion for the establishment of an Armenian state in the region that was supported by the Western states. This opinion caused great sorrow and anxiety among the Turkish nation that constituted the overwhelming majority in the region. On the other hand, the coasts of the Black Sea were face to face with the threat of the Greek and Armenian people. Therefore, Trebizond National Society of Defence of Rights had resolved for the armed resistance in its second congress that it organised upon the invasion of Izmir. Furthermore, this society resolved that extensive congress should be gathered that would represent the Eastern Anatolia. Therefore, this society started to encourage Erzurum towards this purpose. As a result, the congress committee of Trebizond National Society of Defence of Rights and Erzurum Branch of the National Society of Defence of Rights of Eastern Provinces had reciprocally transmitted telegrams. They wired these telegrams in relation with the assembly of a congress to be organised for the establishment of the union of the Eastern provinces on the date of 30th May 1919. These two societies had wired these telegrams by chance with the same purposes and on the same date without any knowledge. These telegrams laid foundation for Erzurum Congress and they constituted an important step in the establishment of the national union and solidarity. It was resolved that the congress would be organised on the date of 10th July. However, due to the delays of some delegates, the congress was opened on the date of 23rd July with public celebration that coincided with the festival of constitution at the same time. Approximately 56 delegates had participated in Erzurum Congress and they represented the provinces of Erzurum, Trebizond, Sivas, Bitlis and Van. The Governors of Elazig and Diyarbakir did not send their delegates to the congress. Mustafa Kemal Pasha and Rauf Bey had participated in the congress by proxy to represent Kazim and Cevat (Dursunoglu) Beys that were the delegates of the centre of Erzurum.
Mustafa Kemal Pasha was elected as the chairman of the congress in the first day and he gave an informative speech about the state of affairs and the ways to be followed. In his speech, he pointed out that there could not be any patriot who would not perceive and get the creeps against these bloody and ambiguous dangers that they were involved by the pressure of the history and the events. He dealt with the transgressions and invasions that violated the provisions of the armistice. He told that the history would not ever deny the existence and rights of a nation; and that the provisions that were resolved against our country and nation were obliged to fade out thereof. He expressed that the heroic spirit of the national movement that had turned into nearly an electricity network over the entire country would be the decision-making force to save and rescue the future of the country and the nation and to apply the requisite actions. He pointed out that a determination that would be dominant over the future of the nation would only come into existence from Anatolia. He stated that the first targets of the congress activities would be the establishment of a national assembly based on the national determination and the institution of a government that would be alimented by the national determination.
As a result of the congress activities that lasted for fourteen days, the regulations were arranged and the provisions of this regulation was notified with a declaration. This declaration was sent to every corner of the country and the representatives of the invader forces in Istanbul. The principles and resolutions that were announced with this declaration were as follows:
The country is an integral union within the national borders. It cannot be separated.
In case that the Ottoman Government is discharged against all sorts of foreign invasions or interventions, the nation shall resist and defend the country all together in a union.
In case that Istanbul Government cannot establish the independence of the country, a temporary government shall be established to this effect. This government shall be elected by the national congress. If this congress cannot be assembled, this election shall be performed by the Representative Committee.
It is essential that the national power shall be effective and the national determination shall be dominant.
Any privileges that can derange our political sovereignty and social balance shall not be granted for the Christian minorities.
Any mandate and protection shall not be accepted.
All efforts shall be endeavoured for the immediate gathering of the National Assembly and the establishment of the supervision of the Assembly over all sorts of governmental affairs.
Furthermore, a Representative Committee composed of 9 persons was established in Erzurum Congress and Mustafa Kemal Pasha and Rauf Bey had also participated in this committee. Similarly, the societies that came into existence from the national sense had been united under the general name of Eastern Anatolian Society for Defence of Rights.