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The Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire had for a long time before World War I been considered what the Tsar Nicholas I of Russia described as “the sick man of Europe.” And as the Ottoman Empire lost political influence, many of the countries under its rule rebelled for independence, and by the 20th Century, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia had all gained independence. However, despite having lost much of its power, the Ottoman Empire was still located in a valuable geographical position. The Bosphorus and the Dardanelles were of great interest to Russia, since it would allow easier naval communication with the rest of the world, allowing imports and exports to quickly pass through Russia. The attempt to gain control over the Balkans was the main reason why Russia joined World War I.
The Treaty of Sevres
The Treaty of Sevres was the first peace treaty signed by the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I on the 10th of August 1920. Its main aims included the allied control over the straights of Dardanelles, the independence of Saudi Arabia, Turkish loss of control over Sudan and Libya, Greek control over Eastern Thrace and Turkish Aegean islands, and League of Nations mandate with political control by France and Britain over Mesopotamia, Palestine, and Syria.
The Treaty of Sevres was nearly as harsh as that made for Germany, with the intention of liquidating the Ottoman Empire, and abolishing Turkish sovereignty. In Asia, continent which held most of its empire, Mesopotamia, Palestine, and Transjordan were given over as British mandates, as Syria and Lebanon were, on the other hand, passed on as French mandates. Other than this, Smyrna and its bordering nations underwent Greek mandate until a plebiscite determined its final fate. Turkey however, maintained Anatolia. Armenia and Kurdistan gained independence, and became separate republics. In Europe, Italy gained the Dodecanese and Rhodes, previously contested in the Italo-Turkish war in 1911, and the Thrace and Aegean Islands were given to Greek control. Turkey remained with power over Constantinople and its surrounding area, including the Straight of Dardanelles, which was both neutralized and internationalized, allowing any ship to freely pass.
And as it can be seen from the geographical impact suffered by Turkey, the Ottoman Empire lost much of its power and influence, mainly over the Middle East with the creation of new countries, and internalization of the Straight of Dardanelles and the Strait of Bosphorus. Other than this, Mustafa Kemal Pasha gained more supporters as he disagreed with the treaty, and led the Turkish War of Independence, abolishing the Sultanate. Due to the international recognition of the new government on November 1st of 1922, a new treaty was to be made. The Treaty of Lausanne.
The Ottoman Empire lost the control over its economy as it was given to the Entente, however only France, Italy and Germany had any power over the Turkish economy. This included control over their national bank, imports and exports, national budget, financial regulations, the tax system, and even requests for loans and debt repayments. Also, there was no commerce whatsoever with the Germany and its allies as it was strictly forbidden.
The current Turkish government, led by the Sultanate agreed with the Treaty of Sevres, though not many people did. And with the motivation of a better treaty, Mustafa Kemal led a rebellion and the Turkish War of Independence, which overthrew and abolished the Sultanate. He emerged the leader of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, which demanded a new treaty. The Treaty of Lausanne.
The Treaty of Lausanne
The Treaty of Sevres was signed and ratified. However, after Mustafa Kemal Pasha led the Turkish War of Independence and ended the Sultanate on November 1st of 1922, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey was recognized as the new government by the Treaty of Lausanne. The Treaty of Lausanne, signed July 24 1923, allowed the new Turkish government to be the only defeated country to be presented in the formulation of the Treaty. The terms of the Treaty of Sevres were cancelled, as the new Turkish government didn’t approve. The main aims of the new treaty included the expulsion of the Greeks, and the control of Constantinople given back to Turkey.
As it was the only defeated country to negotiate its treaty, Turkey recovered Thrace and many Aegean Islands, alongside land from the Syrian border, the Smyrna district, and nationalized the Straights of Dardanelles and Bosphorus, though kept it demilitarized. Turkey also regained full control over all of their territory, and international Zones of Influences were withdrawn. Other than this, the limitation on their military was cancelled, and no reparations were paid by Turkey. However, Turkey surrendered all former territories beyond their new drawn borders. A separate treaty was also signed with Greece.
One of the greatest accomplishments of the Treaty of Lausanne was that it wasn’t signed in France, and was the only peace treaty of World War I that allowed the defeated country to represent itself, and argue during the formulation of the treaty, which was finally signed on July 24th of 1923. However, it was only on August 6th of 1924 that the Treaty was put into practice.
Turkey, amongst territory, reclaimed some political power as they were once again in complete control of the Straight of Dardanelles and the Straight of Bosphorus, which remained an important passageway of trade for the rebuilding countries after the destruction of World War I.
This also improved their economy, which they regained control over, as there were large markets with merchandise and merchants from around the world. Never the less, German commerce was still strictly forbidden.
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