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The Time of Liberation 1919-1923 – Part 1

Week 4

1914-1918 -

The Ottoman Empire sides with Germany during World War I. The resulting loss causes the empire to be broken up. Much of its territory is divided between France and Britain, but modern day Turkey successfully defends itself against Greek invasion.

The Sykes-Picot agreement between France and Britain secretly promises to divide Ottoman holdings

in the Middle East between the nations.

- 1916

Historical Overview of Modern Turkey -1

Signing of the Armistice of Mudros (Oct 30,1918)

i) opening up the Straits,ii) guaranteeing access to the Black Seaiii) providing for Allied occupation of the fortresses along the Dardanelles and Bosphorus,iv) foreseeing immediate demobilisation of Turkish troops, except where necessary to preserve order,v) placing Allies in control of all the railroads,vi) Article VII: giving the Allies "the right to occupy any strategic points in the event of any situation arising which threatens the security of the Allies".

"The Big Four" made all the major decisions at the Paris Peace Conference (from left to right, David Lloyd George of Britain, Vittorio Orlando of Italy, Georges Clemenceau of France, Woodrow Wilson of the U.S.)

Largely as a result of British diplomacy, Paris Peace Conference authorizes Greek forces to land on Turkish territory

1) No more secret agreements between countries. Diplomacy shall be open to the world. 2) International seas shall be free to navigate during peace and war. 3) There shall be free trade between the countries who accept the peace. 4) There shall be a worldwide reduction in weapons and armies by all countries. 5) Colonial claims over land and regions will be fair. 6) Russia will be allowed to determine its own form of government. 7)German troops will evacuate Belgium and Belgium will be an independent country. 8)France will regain all territory including the disputed land of Alsace-Lorraine. 9) The borders of Italy will be established 10) Austria-Hungary will be allowed to continue to be an independent country. 11) Serbia, Montenegro, and Romania becoming independent countries. 12) The Turkish people of the Ottoman Empire will have their own country. Other nationalities under the Ottoman rule will also have security.(national self determination) 13) Poland shall be an independent country. 14) A League of Nations will be formed that protects the independence of all countries no matter how big or small.

Summary of the Fourteen Points

The Treaty of Versailles, 28 June 1919, (Germany) The Treaty of Saint-Germain, 10 September 1919,

(Austria) The Treaty of Neuilly, 27 November 1919, (Bulgaria) The Treaty of Trianon, 4 June 1920, (Hungary) The Treaty of Sèvres, 10 August 1920; subsequently

revised by the Treaty of Lausanne, 24 July 1923, (Ottoman Empire/Republic of Turkey).

5 major peace treaties were prepared at the Paris Peace Conference

The Treaty of Sèvres territorially carved up the ‘Sick Man of Europe’

Greek forces landing İzmir on May 15, 1919

Officialization Istanbul’s Occupation (May 16,1919)

1919, May 16

Mustafa Kemal Pasha departs from Istanbul on board the ship Bandırma heading for Samsun where he was appointed as Inspector of the Ninth Army Troops.

1919, May 23

In line with a wave of demonstrations around Turkey to protest against Greece's occupation of İzmir, the largest of these public meetings is held in Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul.

1919, Jun 21

Amasya Circular issued after a meeting in Amasya by the commanders Mustafa Kemal, Rauf Orbay, Ali Fuat Cebesoy and Refet Bele calling for a national movement to against the occupying powers.

1919, Jul 21

Erzurum Congress uniting representatives from Turkey's Eastern Anatolia provinces in Erzurum under the chairmanship of Mustafa Kemal and Kazım Karabekir.

1919, Sep 04Sivas Congress unites representatives from all over Turkey in Sivas.

Turkish Borders according to Misak-i Milli (National Pact/Oath) of 28 January1920

The Ottoman Parliament, gathered in a secret session, ratifies the decisions adopted in Erzurum Congress and Sivas Congress and the publishes the Misak-ı Milli (National Oath) document constituting the basis of principle of Turkey's frontiers.

1) The future of the territories inhabited by an Arab majority at the time of the signing of the Armistice of Mudros will be determined by a referendum. On the other hand, the territories which were not occupied at that time and inhabited by a Turkish [ + Kurdish] majority are the homeland of the Turkish nation.2) The status of Kars, Ardahan and Batum may be determined by a referendum.3) The status of Western Thrace will be determined by the votes of its inhabitants.4) The security of Constantinople and Marmara should be provided for. Transport and free-trade on the Straits of the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles will be determined by Turkey and other concerned countries.5) The rights of minorities will be issued on condition that the rights of the Muslim minorities in neighboring countries are protected.6) In order to develop in every field, the country should be independent and free; all restrictions on political, judicial and financial development will be removed.

6 Principles of National Pact

The TGNA, established on the basis of national sovereignty, holds the opening session of its first term and elects Mustafa Kemal Pasha as president of the assembly (April 23,1920)

1920, Apr 26

Starting April 19, San Remo conference determines the allocation of mandates for administration to be imposed on the former Ottoman-ruled lands of the Middle East by the victorious powers.

1920, Apr 26

Mustafa Kemal Pasha writes a letter to Lenin, seeking Soviet aid. The letter will be answered officially and favorably by Chicherin on June 3.

1920, Aug 10

In Sèvres, the grand vizier Damat Ferid Pasha and three other Ottoman personalities sign the stillborn Treaty of Sèvres. In the absence of the Ottoman Parliament forced to close down in April, the sultan Mehmed VI Vahideddin will not ratify the text.

Two of the signatories of the Ottoman Empire. Left to right: Rıza Tevfik; Grand vizier Damat Ferid Pasha

The Turkish War of Independence (May 19, 1919 – July 24, 1923)

1920, Dec 02 Signature of the Treaty of Alexandropol (Gyumri), between

Turkey, as represented by the Turkish Grand National Assembly, and Armenia.

1921, Jan 09

First Battle of İnönü between Turkish and Greek forces. The battle lasts three days and ends with a victory for the Turkish troops under İsmet Pasha's command.

1921, Mar 16

Signature of the Treaty of Moscow, (Treaty of Brotherhood) a friendship agreement between Soviet Union and Ankara, as represented by the TGNA. Internationally recognized Turkish government and annulled the Treaty of Sèvres.

Turkey ceded Batum and the adjacent area North of the village of Sarp to Georgia (Kars Oblast went to Turkey); autonomous Nakhchivan oblast under Azerbaijan's protectorate;, the parties agreed to delegate the final elaboration of the status of the Black Sea and the Straits to a future conference of delegates of the littoral states, provided that the "full sovereignty" and security of Turkey.

1921, Mar 26 Second Battle of İnönü between Turkish and Greek forces.

The battle lasts five days and ends with a victory for the Turkish troops under İsmet Pasha’s command

1921, Aug 23 Battle of Sakarya between Turkish and Greek forces. The

battle lasts till September 13 and ends with a Turkish victory.

1921, Oct 13 Signature of the Treaty of Kars, between the three

republics of the Caucasus (Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia) and Turkey, as represented by TGNA.

1921, Oct 20 Signature of Accord of Ankara between France and

Turkey, as represented by the TGNA putting an end to the Cilicia War and preparing the ground for the evacuation of French troops from the southern front.

The Turkish Army's entry into Izmir on September 9, 1922, following the successful Izmir Offensive, effectively sealed the Turkish victory and ended the war.

1921, Oct 13

Signature of the Treaty of Kars, between the three republics of the Caucasus (Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia) and Turkey, as represented by the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

1921, Oct 20

Signature of Accord of Ankara between France and Turkey, as represented by the Turkish Grand National Assembly, putting an end to the Cilicia War and preparing the ground for the evacuation of French troops from the southern front.

1922, Sep 22 Turkish troops re-assume control of the city of

Çanakkale and its depending towns after almost four years, and following several days of tension of international scale, known as Chanak Crisis.

1922, Oct 11

Signing of the Armistice of Mudanya putting an end to the war in the field.

1922, Nov 01 Abolition of the Ottoman sultanate.

1922, Nov 17

Departure of the last Ottoman sultan Mehmed VI Vahideddin from Istanbul.

{To be continued – Part II