What is the Treaty of Lausanne? Articles, History, Significance and Results

With the declaration of the Ottoman Empire as a sick man, our lands were occupied by colonial states. The Turkish nation did not remain silent about this invasion and with the spark started by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, an all-out struggle began. After the last Greek soldier poured into the cool waters of the Aegean, it was time for diplomacy. Treaty of Lausanne signed during this period, It is the title deed of the Republic of Turkey.

The Treaty of Lausanne is one of the most important treaties that our country has signed. Because we officially took the rights we won by fighting at the table, and at the same time, we announced to the whole world that the Republic of Turkey is a free and independent country. The negotiations were not easy. Bride What is the Treaty of Lausanne, what are its articles, when was it signed Let’s take a closer look and see its importance and results.

Treaty of Lausanne date:

The First World War ended in 1918 and the Ottoman Empire had lost. It’s been a long time since they saw him as a sick man. Western colonial countries that took advantage of the Ottoman’s loss of war They began to invade the lands of our country in droves. Moreover, in this process, they wanted to tear these lands to pieces by encouraging the nations that have been living in these lands for years or who are our neighbors to rebellion.

While the British, French, Italians, Greeks, who actually occupied our country, and the Armenian, Greek and Kurdish gangs who rebelled with their support, blood was shed on our lands from all sides. Turkish people did not allow this and with the spirit of national struggle initiated by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, he opposed the occupation. In the end, we were the winner.

As the Ottoman parliament disappeared, there was now the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Izmir, especially Greek soldiers occupying a large part of the Aegean region With the last one being sent from the region, the invading states had to decide to sit down with the Turks and sign a peace treaty.

What is the Lausanne Treaty, when was it signed?

Treaty of Lausanne, or the Treaty of Peace of Lausanne, as we called it at that time, in Lausanne, Switzerland It is a peace treaty signed between the British Empire, the French Republic, the Kingdom of Italy, the Japanese Empire, the Kingdom of Greece, the Kingdom of Romania and Yugoslavia and the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

for the Treaty of Lausanne. The first negotiations began on 20 November 1922. The United States of America attended the meeting as an observer, under the chairmanship of İsmet İnönü, representing the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. A delegation consisting of Rıza Nur Bey and Hasan Saka attended. The meetings had started, but the westerners did not have a conciliatory attitude towards the Turks.

The Turkish delegation left the meeting because there was no agreement on the abolition of the capitulations, the Straits issue, and the Mosul and Kirkuk issue. Negotiations resumed after a while. During the negotiations that started again, many centuries-old problems were resolved and The Lausanne Peace Treaty was signed on 24 July 1923. It was announced to the whole world that the Republic of Turkey is a free and independent country. After this treaty, a republic was declared on 29 October 1923.

Some of the articles of the Treaty of Lausanne and some of the solved problems:

Limits:

In the Treaty of Lausanne; The Syrian border was determined according to the Ankara Agreement dated October 20, 1921, the Greek border was determined according to the Mudanya Armistice Agreement, the Iranian border was determined according to the Kasr-ı Şirin Agreement, and the Bulgarian border was determined according to the 1913 Istanbul Agreement. The Iraqi border remained unclear. Islands other than Gökçeada, Bozcaada and Tavşan Island are to Greece, 12 islands were left to Italy. After the Second World War, the Italians left these 12 islands to Greece.

The straits:

It has been decided that the straits, which is one of the most discussed issues, will be managed by the Turkish commission. It was decided to demilitarize the two shores of the Straits. Freedom was imposed on merchant ships and a limit on warships. In the event of an attack on the Straits, the League of Nations will take the measures.

Debts:

We agreed to pay the debts that the Ottoman Empire started to take and could not pay since 1854. It is agreed to be paid in installments in Turkish Lira or French Franc. We paid the last installment of the debt on May 25, 1954. Within the scope of the agreement, the General Debt Management and the Public Debt Administration were abolished.

War reparations:

Due to the loss of life and property caused by the Greek government during the occupation, it was decided to pay war compensation to the Turks. However Because the Greeks don’t have money Karaağaç and its surroundings were left to Turkey.

Minorities:

Everyone living within the borders of the National Pact is considered a Turkish citizen. The privileges granted to minorities were abolished and They were given equal rights with the Turks. Europeans were prevented from interfering in internal affairs. It was decided to make an exchange between the Greeks living in Turkey and the Turks living in Greece.

Capitulations:

Capitulations, one of the most discussed issues, were completely abolished with the Treaty of Lausanne. well Westerners who trade in the country will not have privileges, They will have to comply with Turkish laws.

Patriarchate and foreign schools:

Privileges given to the patriarchate, the religious center of world orthodoxy, were abolished. provided that he does not engage in political activities allowed to exist. Foreign schools operating in the Ottoman Empire and often making religious and political provocations were allowed to continue their existence on the condition that they act in accordance with Turkish laws and do not provide education with religious and political content.

Issues resolved against us by the Treaty of Lausanne:

• Relinquishing Western Thrace to the Greeks
• Leaving 12 islands to Italy
• Payment of Ottoman debts
• The Patriarchate remains in Istanbul

These are the problems that the delegation of the Turkish Grand National Assembly could not solve as desired. Failure to take Hatay, Mosul and Kirkuk and the Straits issue are among the issues that remain unresolved. Hatay later joined the territory of the Republic of Turkey. The Straits problem was later resolved in our favor with the Montreux Straits Convention.

The results of the Treaty of Lausanne:

• With the independence of the Republic of Turkey to be established, the national pact was recognized by the world.
• The Treaty of Sèvres, which is the occupation plan of our lands, has become invalid.
• With the abolition of the capitulations, the Turkish economy has also become independent.
• It has been proven that the Greek and Armenian claims are unfounded.
• Relations with Western states have softened.
• With the disintegration of Kurdistan and similar Turkey, the establishment of the countries planned to be established was prevented.
• The foundations of foreign policy were laid.
• Our military victories were ultimately crowned with political victories.
• Most importantly, this victory of the Turks inspired all the peoples of the world.

Significance of the Treaty of Lausanne:

The Ottoman Empire, which ruled all over the world for hundreds of years, With the Treaty of Karlowitz, it lost its first large territory in the west. And from that day on, things got progressively worse. As a result of the wrong decisions taken, the entire empire was actually occupied and eventually collapsed. The biggest reason for this process was the wrong foreign policies of the Ottoman Empire.

Even if they ousted the invaders from their lands with the War of Independence, Turks were seen only as warriors in the eyes of the westerners. The Treaty of Lausanne changed that. It was seen that the Turks were not only good fighters but also good politicians. Because İsmet İnönü’s eyes were black. When they didn’t get what they wanted, he left the meeting and called on the country to be ready for a new war. Being aware of the military power of the Turks, the westerners refrained from this situation and largely accepted our requests.

During the collapse period, our lands, where the westerners raced as they wished, became ours again with the Treaty of Lausanne. A clear message has been given to them that they cannot do what they want here. with the Treaty of Lausanne. Turks will not accept neither political nor economic colonization, It has been announced to the whole world that they are completely independent and equal with European nations.

guarantee of the independence of the Republic of Turkey. What is the Treaty of Lausanne, what are its articles, when was it signed We talked about its importance and results by answering frequently asked questions. You can share your thoughts on the subject in the comments.