Turkish War of Independence

Quick Facts: Who was Turkish War of Independence?

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Turkish War of Independence

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The Turkish War of Independence (1919–1923) ended the Ottoman Empire and established modern Turkey.

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Origins & Early Life

The Turkish War of Independence (15 May 1919 – 24 July 1923) was a series of military campaigns and a revolution waged by the Turkish National Movement, after the Ottoman Empire was occupied and partitioned following its defeat in World War I. The conflict was between the Turkish Nationalists and the Allied and separatist forces over the application of Wilsonian principles, especially self-determination, in post-World War I Anatolia and eastern Thrace. The revolution concluded the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the Eastern question, ending the Ottoman sultanate and the Ottoman caliphate, and established the Republic of Turkey. After leading the nationalists to victory, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk introduced revolutionary reforms as president of the new republic. While World War I ended for the Ottomans with the Armistice of Mudros, the Allies continued occupying land per the Sykes–Picot Agreement, and to facilitate the prosecution of former members of the Committee of Union and Progress and those involved in the Armenian genocide. Several Ottoman commanders therefore refused orders from the Ottoman government to disband their forces.

Career & Major Achievements

In an atmosphere of turmoil, Sultan Mehmed VI dispatched general Mustafa Kemal Pasha (later Atatürk), to restore order; however, he became an enabler and leader of Turkish Nationalist resistance. In an attempt to establish control over the power vacuum in Anatolia, the Allies agreed to launch a Greek force to occupy Smyrna (İzmir), inflaming sectarian tensions and beginning the Turkish War of Independence. A nationalist counter government led by Mustafa Kemal was established in Ankara when it became clear the Ottoman government was appeasing the Allies. The Allies pressured the Ottoman "Istanbul government" to suspend the Constitution, Parliament, and sign the Treaty of Sèvres, a treaty unfavorable to Turkish interests that the "Ankara government" declared illegal. Turkish forces defeated the French in the south, and remobilized army units went on to partition Armenia with the Bolsheviks, resulting in the Treaty of Kars (1921).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Western Front is known as the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922). The regular army, organized from militia forces under İsmet Pasha (İnönü), fought the Greeks to a standstill in the First and Second Battles of İnönü, but was checked at the Battle of Aslıhanlar–Dumlupınar. The Greeks emerged victorious in the Battle of Kütahya-Eskişehir and drove on Ankara. The Turks checked their advance in the Battle of Sakarya and counter-attacked in the Great Offensive, which expelled Greek forces. The war ended with the recapture of İzmir, the Chanak crisis and another armistice in Mudanya.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1919: 1919 Milestone — The Turkish War of Independence (15 May 1919 – 24 July 1923) was a series of military campaigns and a revolution waged by the Turkish National Movement, after the Ottoman Empire was occupied and partitioned following its defeat in World War I.
2. 1921: 1921 Milestone — Turkish forces defeated the French in the south, and remobilized army units went on to partition Armenia with the Bolsheviks, resulting in the Treaty of Kars (1921).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Turkish War of Independence

True or False: “Did the Treaty of Sèvres grant favorable terms to Turkish interests compared to the subsequent Treaty of Lausanne?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The Treaty of Sèvres was unfavorable to Turkish interests; the later Treaty of Lausanne provided much more favorable terms.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adelina Patti — Historical peer (Died in 1919) (1919): Legendary Spanish-Italian soprano renowned for her bel canto technique and lyrical voice.
• Ahmed Abdallah — Historical peer (Born in 1919) (1919): Comorian politician who served as President of the Comoros from 1978 to 1989.
• Aaron Spelling — Historical peer (Born in 1923) (1923): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• Ahmet Ertegun — Historical peer (Born in 1923) (1923): Pioneering Turkish-American music executive, co-founder of Atlantic Records.
• Aaron Beck — Historical peer (Born in 1921) (1921): Father of Cognitive Therapy and CBT, revolutionizing psychiatric treatment.
• ʻAbdu'l-Bahá — Historical peer (Died in 1921) (1921): Successor to Baháʼu'lláh and guiding light of the Baháʼí Faith.
• Aage Bohr — Historical peer (Born in 1922) (1922): Pioneering Danish nuclear physicist, Nobel laureate for atomic structure theory.
• Agnes Nixon — Historical peer (Born in 1922) (1922): Pioneering soap opera writer and producer, creator of 'One Life to Live' and 'All My Children'.

Frequently Asked Questions about Turkish War of Independence