„VARLIK VERGISI“ – и политика турске владе према грчкој националној мањини у Другом светском рату
“VARLIK VERGISI” – and the Policy of the Turkish Government toward the Greek Minority in the World War II

Summary/Abstract: The paper deals with an important segment of the policy of neutral Turkey during the World War II its policy regarding the minorities that, with its tightening, aggravated the position of the non Muslim communities. Among various repressive measures, the special tax varlik vergisi, introduced in November 1942, is especially significant. Under the pretext of preventing making illegal profits, tax liabilities much higher than those imposed on the majority population were imposed on Greek, Armenian and Jewish businessmen, both Turkish citizens and foreigners. Failure to settle these liabilities within short deadlines would result in seizure of property, internment and forced labour in remote areas. The official justification of this openly xenophobic measure provided by the authorities and their media reflected the influence of the ideas that were coming from the Axis countries and were supported by some in Turkey, including a part of the political elite. The author considers this phenomenon in the light of war events and the position of Turkey as a neutral country, focusing on its relations with the exiled Greek government and the UK.

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