The many-sided destructive effects brought on by the World War I continued to be felt in Bursa, the capital city of the Hüdavendigâr Province. At the time of the Greek Occupation in Izmir in 1919, units belonging to the 56th Division under the command of Colonel Bekir Sami were stationed in Bursa. The unit commander and the enlightened citizens of the city founded a committee in Setbaşı in 1919 to be later known as the Legal Defense Committee. Soon, this committee grew to spread throughout the district. At the same time the rebellions of Ahmet Aznavour inflicted deep wounds on Bursa and vicinity. The rebellions were finally put down by the Nationalist Forces.
In the year 1920, the Ankara government sent Hacim Muhittin Bey as new governor to Bursa, a city granted great importance. But at the same time the British deployed troops to Mudanya, Gemlik and Karamürsel in order to support the Greek invasion. Consequently, the well-organized Greek forces thus supported invaded Balıkesir, and a day later Karacabey and Kirmastı.
The defensive lines of the Nationalist Forces around the Apolyont region were unable to show any presence faced with the enemy. All troops and equipment were taken out of Bursa and transferred to Inegöl. On July 8th, 1920, the city was occupied by Greek forces. The capture of Bursa by enemy forces engendered violent reactions. The long lasting discussions at the Turkish Grand National Assembly continued for days until Mustafa Kemal assumed responsibility of the situation.
During the early times of the occupation of Bursa, there was no pressure applied to the population of Bursa. But as the Greek army began to suffer numerous defeats, the occupational Army reacted by introducing censure, house searches and unjustified punishments, and travelling to antrading with Anatolia was forbidden.
Enemy troops, having suffered an unforgettable defeat as a result of a major battle on the 30th of August, did not neglect to persecute and pillage, burn and destroy while withdrawing. The rumor that Bursa was to be burned from top to bottom caused almost all to leave the city. The 3rd Army Corps under the command of Şükrü Naili Pasha advanced towards Bursa.
The cavalry of the ist Division was able to overcome the Greek opposition at various places on the 9th of September, and they entered in the south of the city the following day. In the early hours of the morning, the beautiful city of Bursa was returned to it's rightful owners without suffering any damage. The town hail was transformed into headquarters and order was established in the city. All collaborators were captured one by one and handed over to the forces of justice.
The city was rescued on September IIth 1922. During the fırst years of the Republic, Bursa seemed to be an agricultural city due to the products of the fertile land.
The traditional production has been silk. Over the last 25 years, Bursa has achieved a leading position in Turkey's textile and automotive industry.
