World-history / Attitude of the Allied Powers & the Peace treaties / Treaty of Sevres (1920)
Treaty of Sevres (1920)
The Treaty of Sèvres was a significant agreement signed with the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) after World War I. It had several important provisions:
- Territorial Losses to Greece and Italy:
- Greece gained substantial territories, including Eastern Thrace and Smyrna (modern-day Izmir), as well as several Aegean islands.
- Italy was also granted certain territorial gains, primarily in Anatolia.
- Opening of the Dardanelles:
- The treaty stipulated that the Dardanelles, a strategically vital waterway connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, would be permanently open to international navigation. This was aimed at ensuring free passage for ships.
- Mandates for Former Ottoman Territories:
- The Ottoman Empire's colonies were converted into mandates and assigned to various Allied Powers:
- Syria: Placed under French mandate.
- Transjordan, Iraq, and Palestine: Placed under British mandates.
These mandates essentially meant that Britain and France were given administrative authority over these regions on behalf of the League of Nations, with the expectation that they would prepare them for eventual self-government.
The Treaty of Sèvres was, however, met with significant opposition and resistance within Turkey. It was never fully implemented due to various factors, including Turkish nationalist movements led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The treaty's provisions were later revised in the Treaty of Lausanne (1923), which established the boundaries of modern-day Turkey.
