World History: Turkey in World War II

Turkey in the Second World War took a neutral position and did not officially support any of the opponents. Only in 1945 the country declared war on Germany and Japan. Turkish soldiers did not take part in hostilities. In this article we will consider the internal situation of the country and diplomatic relations with other states in 1941 - 1945. And try to determine the role of Turkey in World War II.

Situation of the country before the war

Before the Second World, the signs of Turkey's orientation toward France and England, which had been outlined since the 1930s, turned into a stable trend. The active supporter of this line was Foreign Minister Saracoglu, who took office in 1938. After Albania was occupied by Italy in April 1939, Great Britain provided Turkey with guarantees of security and independence. In October 1939, Ankara signed an Anglo-French-Turkish act on mutual assistance. At the same time, the country tried to maintain diplomatic relations with Germany. Thus, on June 18, 1941, a non-aggression pact was signed between the two Powers. In general, Turkey in the Second World War maneuvered between the two blocs, seeking to maintain neutrality.

Turkey at the initial stage of the war

Even before the occupation by the German troops of France, there have been changes in Turkey's policy. She completely shifted to neutrality, not denying a supportive attitude toward England. However, the defeat of France and the further military-political successes of Germany prompted the government of the country to negotiate with the Hitlerite leadership. They ended with the signing on 18 June 1941 of a treaty of friendship and non-aggression. It should be noted that before that Germany successfully occupied the Balkan countries and came close to the borders of Turkey. At the same time, rumors spread in Ankara about a possible military threat from the USSR.

Thus, in 1940, Turkey's participation in the Second World War was in question. The government continued its policy of maneuvering by concluding agreements with the warring parties. The Turkish position acquires a more definite character after the entry into the war of the Soviet Union.

Turkey in 1941

June 22, 1941 Germany brought down a powerful blow to the USSR. The largest state in the world has been drawn into a military conflict. After the outbreak of the German-Soviet war, Turkey handed over on June 25, 1941 to the government of the USSR a note confirming its neutrality. Ankara continued to adhere to its obligations. But in the following years, especially after the repression of the Soviet Union against the Muslim peoples of the Crimea and the Caucasus, anti-Soviet sentiments grew in Turkey.

Turkey in 1942 - 1945: the internal situation

Despite the fact that Turkey did not participate in the Second World War, the conflict had a strong impact on the country's economic situation. The number of the army was constantly increasing (by 1942 it was 1 million soldiers and officers). Military spending by 1945 "ate" about half of the country's budget. Turkey during the Second World War experienced a decline in the economy, agriculture and culture. This was due to mass mobilization and the introduction of cards for bread in Ankara and Istanbul. The cities were deprived of their hands, and the prices of the most necessary products grew. In 1942, a property tax was introduced, which was collected from property owners and entrepreneurial incomes. This led to a deepening financial crisis, which was associated with abuse of officials.

Political situation in the country

Turkey during the Second World War experienced an upsurge of nationalism - pan-Turkism. This was reflected not only in the foreign policy plans of the elite, which concerned the USSR. This clearly manifested itself in the internal actions of the Turkish government, which turned to the ideology of pan-Turkism, proposed by the Young Turks and the renewed concept of racism developed by Nihal Atsyz.

From 1940 to 1945 in the Vilaet (provinces where national minorities lived ) martial law operated. In this regard, there are often unjustified confiscations of property. In 1942, the government formed Shukru Saracoglu, launched a wide campaign of patriotic propaganda in the Pan-Turkic style.

The question of Turkey's entry into the war

Since 1943, the anti-Hitler coalition began to make efforts to enter into conflict on its side of Turkey. Especially in this was interested Churchill. Turkey's entry into the war would open the Second Front on the Balkan Peninsula and avoid the appearance of Soviet troops on this territory. In the winter of 1943, the Adana Conference was held. Churchill made every effort to get the president of Turkey to abandon the position of neutrality. But these negotiations have not been successful for either side. Turkey in the Second World War continued to maintain neutrality. However, the government's sympathies were already on the side of Germany.

In October 1943, representatives of the Allied countries gathered at a conference in Moscow. They decided to get Turkey to abandon neutrality by the end of the year. This issue was also discussed at the Cairo and Tehran conferences. However, Turkey declared that it was not ready to enter the war.

Turkey in the final stage of the war

Turkey during the Second World War led a dualistic policy towards the rival powers. In 1944, the Allies ceased to supply weapons to the country. In this regard, the Turkish government was forced to abandon the export of chromium to Germany. However, in June 1944, several German naval vessels entered the Black Sea. This led to an aggravation of the situation, and the allies demanded from Turkey to sever relations with Germany. On August 2, all agreements on economic cooperation between the countries were terminated.

In February 1945, the Yalta Conference began its work. During the talks, the Allies decided that only those countries that were in the conflict on the side of the anti-Hitler coalition can take part in the formation of the United Nations. In this regard, on February 23, 1945, Turkey declared war on Germany. Despite the fact that her army did not participate in the fighting, the country received an invitation to join the UN.

Discussion about the Straits

After the war, the issue of the Black Sea straits began to be discussed at the Potsdam Conference . During the discussions an agreement was signed. The straits were to be under the control of Turkey and the USSR, as the most interested Powers. In addition, for their security and peace in the Black Sea region, they can not allow the use of these routes by other states with hostile intentions.

The international situation of Turkey in the post-war years

After the war, the policy of Turkey clearly defined the pro-Western orientation. So, wishing to demonstrate loyalty to the US, the government of A. Menderes in July 1950 sent to Korea its brigade. Turkey became the only country in the Middle and Near East that participated in the war on the Korean peninsula.

In October 1951, the country joined NATO, and also signed treaties with Pakistan and Iraq. Under the patronage of Britain and the United States in November 1955, a new military bloc was created - the Baghdad Pact (Great Britain, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan). In 1959, it was transformed into the Organization of the Central Treaty, the headquarters of which was located in Ankara.

conclusions

Thus, it is impossible to say exactly whether Turkey participated in World War II or not. Officially, the country adhered to the position of neutrality. But the government was constantly inclined to cooperate with one or the other side. Turkey refused neutrality only in February 1945, but its army did not take part in hostilities.