Why wasn’t Constantinople returned to Greece after the Ottoman Empire lost WW1
Why wasn’t Constantinople returned to Greece after the Ottoman Empire lost WW1, Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) was not returned to Greece after World War I for a combination of political, military, and diplomatic reasons, despite the defeat of the Ottoman Empire. Here are the key factors that contributed to this outcome:
Allied Occupation and Plans After WWI
After the Ottoman Empire’s defeat in World War I, the city of Constantinople was temporarily occupied by Allied forces, and there were discussions about the future of the region. The Treaty of Sèvres (1920) aimed to dismantle the Ottoman Empire and redistribute its territories. According to the treaty, some territories in Anatolia were to go to Greece, including the Smyrna (Izmir) region, but Constantinople was left under international control. The idea of giving Constantinople directly to Greece was entertained but never implemented.
Rise of Turkish Nationalism and the War of Independence
The Greek army invaded western Anatolia, including Smyrna (Izmir), hoping to expand its territory. However, this provoked fierce resistance from the Turkish nationalist movement, led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, which sought to reject the terms of the Treaty of Sèvres and maintain Turkish sovereignty over Anatolia, including Constantinople.
The Turkish War of Independence (1919-1923) resulted in a decisive victory for the Turkish nationalists, who expelled Greek forces from Anatolia. This reversal on the battlefield made it impossible for Greece to hold on to any new territorial claims, including the idea of taking Constantinople.
The Treaty of Lausanne (1923)
The Treaty of Lausanne replaced the Treaty of Sèvres and recognized the Republic of Turkey as the successor state to the Ottoman Empire. It reaffirmed Turkish control over Constantinople and the rest of Anatolia. In the treaty negotiations, Greece, having been defeated in its war with Turkey, had to give up its ambitions in Anatolia, including any claim to Constantinople.
Strategic Importance and International Interests
Constantinople held immense strategic significance due to its control over the Bosporus Strait, which links the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. International powers such as Britain, France, and Italy had their own interests in maintaining a stable Turkish state to balance power in the region, particularly against Soviet Russia. Allowing Constantinople to fall into Greek hands could have upset this balance and created new geopolitical tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East.
Population and Demographic Factors
By the early 20th century, the population of Constantinople had shifted, with a Muslim Turkish majority. The changing demographics made it less practical to turn the city over to Greece, where the population was predominantly Orthodox Christian. This demographic reality further discouraged Allied powers from supporting Greek claims to the city.
Conclusion
Constantinople’s retention by Turkey was shaped by a combination of military resistance, strategic concerns of the great powers, and diplomatic settlements. The Greek defeat in the Greco-Turkish War and the successful Turkish War of Independence led to the Treaty of Lausanne, which solidified Turkish control over the city.
