İkinci Dünya Savaşına Kadar Türk Boğazları Jeopolitiği
Geopolitics of the Turkish Straits Until the Second World War

Summary/Abstract: Throughout world history, the Turkish Straights have fallen under the control of many a powerful state. They moreover are significant in that they physically separate Asia from Europe whilst conversely politically uniting them. Controlling Istanbul through by taking control over the Turkish Straights has been ultimate political dream of countless nations due to its unique geopolitical position. The Turkish domination of the Turkish Straights as well as the Marmara and Black Seas during both the conquest of Istanbul in 1453 and the Treaty of Kucuk Kaynarca in 1774 contributed greatly to the Ottoman State becoming a world empire. One of the most important reasons behind the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the break out of First World War (in 1914) was the desire of occupying forces to acquire the Turkish Straights. The new Turkey rejected the Treaty of Serves that had been imposed on the Ottoman State. In doing so, it reached a significant number of its National Pact goals upon signing the Lausanne Peace Treaty after it won the [Turkish] War of Independence. However, the idea of an international commission with the Treaty would manage the Turkish Straights posed threatened Turkey’s national sovereignty. Hence, following the Montreux Convention in 1936 (a great diplomatic mission in Turkey), the Turkish Straights was taken (back) under Turkish sovereignty. In doing so, this also forbade anyone from occupying Turkey during the Second World War. The Turkish Straits have played a key role in Turkey’s success in pursuing a policy of balance between warring states and staying out of the war.

• Details
• Contents