Second Greco-Turkish War (1921-1922)

Above: Map showing the Partition of Anatolia by Treaty of Sevres 1920 (click map to enlarge)

After the end of World War I, by the Treaty of Sevres in August 1920, certain regions beyond eastern Thrace and the district of Smyrna in Anatolia had been given to Greece. The treaty had been forced upon a weak Turkey. Taking advantage of the situation Greece tried to push beyond these areas.

Above: Picture of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

The Greeks were disorganized with weak supply lines. Nevertheless they started an attack against nationalist Turks in Anatolia. The nationalists denied the Ottoman rule and hence did not think that the treaty was binding upon them. In April the Greeks were checked but by July they rallied and pushed on towards Ankara, crossing strategic railway lines. On their side the nationalist Turks had a firebrand leader in Mustafa Kemal Atartuk. The Greeks were defeated near the Sakarya River in the autumn of 1921. This had its repercussions in Greeks’ internal affairs. The monarchy was overthrown by a military coup. In the concluding peace treaty of Lausanne, at Switzerland, Greece was forced to return eastern Thrace, the islands of Imbros and Tenedos to Turkey. Also it had to deny its claims on Smyrna. Both sides agreed to an exchange of minority populations.

Above: Map showing the partition of Anatolia by Treaty of Lausanne 1923 (click map to enlarge)

The treaty of Lausanne in July 1923 marked the end of World War I. It was preceded by conferences lasting nearly seven months. Its signatories were representatives of the Ottoman Empire on one side and on the other Britain, France, Japan, Greece, Romania together with the Kingdoms of Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia on the other.

Above: Map of Turkey and Greece, and other neighboring Countries (click map to enlarge)

The treaty marked out the borders of modern Turkey. The latter gave up all claims on its former Arab provinces and recognized Britain’s suzerainty over Cyprus and Italy’s right over Dodecanese. On their part the Allies dropped their cry for independence of Turkish Kurdistand and demand for the cession of Turkish territory in Armenia. The Allies also gave the assurance that they would not try to influence Turkish affairs especially in affairs pertaining to finance and the army. The straits between the Aegean and Black Sea, known as the Turkish Straits came to be opened to all shipping vessels.

Below: Flag of Greece (left) and flag of Turkey (right)

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