24 July - Treaty of Lausanne 1923

 

On 24 July 1923, the Treaty of Lausanne was signed in Switzerland, marking a significant moment in modern history as it officially ended the conflict between the Allied Powers and the Ottoman Empire following World War I. This treaty replaced the earlier Treaty of Sèvres, which had been rejected by Turkish nationalists led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

The Treaty of Lausanne established the borders of modern Turkey and effectively dissolved the Ottoman Empire, leading to the creation of the Republic of Turkey. It recognized the sovereignty of Turkey and provided for the withdrawal of Allied forces from Anatolia and Eastern Thrace. The treaty also involved a population exchange between Greece and Turkey, affecting the lives of millions.

Key provisions of the Treaty of Lausanne included:

• Recognition of the borders of Turkey, which included most of the Anatolian Peninsula and Eastern Thrace.
• Renunciation of Turkish claims to territories outside these borders, including areas such as Syria, Iraq, and Palestine, which were placed under British and French mandates.
• Establishment of the demilitarized zones around the Turkish straits and regulation of their navigation, ensuring freedom of passage for all nations.
• Protection of minority rights within Turkey, particularly for Greek Orthodox Christians and Muslim Turks in Greece.
• Financial and economic provisions, including reparations and the settlement of debts.

The signing of the Treaty of Lausanne was a pivotal moment in shaping the political landscape of the Middle East and Southeastern Europe. It laid the groundwork for the establishment of modern Turkey and marked the end of the Ottoman era, paving the way for a new chapter in Turkish and regional history.