THE HISTORY
After defeating the Ottoman Empire in World War I, who fought alongside Germany, Austria and Hungary.
Britain, France, Italy, and other Allies decided to constrict one of the mightiest and longest-lasting dynasties in world history; the Ottoman Empire.
In the year 1920, 3 years prıor to Turkey becoming a Republic, the “Treaty of Sèvres” was one of a series of treaties signed by the Central Powers after World War One.
It ordered the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire, which led to its ultimate annihilation. The treaty, which liquidated the Ottoman Empire and virtually abolished Turkish sovereignty, greatly angered the Turkish.
Signed on 10 August 1920 following 15 months of planning, the “Treaty of Sèvres” was designed to strangle the ‘Sick Man of Europe’. Italy, Britain and France signed it on behalf of the victorious Allies.
The “Treaty of Sèvres” divided the territory of the Ottoman Empire in the Middle East.
France took over Lebanon, Syria and territory in southern Anatolia, while Britain took possession of Palestine and Iraq, gaining generous oil concessions in the process. These terms were decided in the secret Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1917. https://historylearning.com/
One Hundred and four years later, Türkiye has marked the 101st anniversary of the founding of its Republic with nationwide festivities commemorating this historic milestone.
101 years ago, in July of 1923, the “Treaty of Lausanne” was signed which defined the borders of the new Turkish Republic. This treaty prevented Anatolia and Eastern Thrace (northwest of turkey) to be partitioned the way other Ottoman provinces had been namely, Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Arabia.
The Treaty was signed for a period of a hundred years which ended in 2023.
It was signed between the Allied powers; Britain, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Romania, Yugoslavia, and the then Ottoman Empire.
The Ottoman Empire was represented by Ismet Inonu as a delegate of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
The treaty led to the international recognition of the sovereignty of the new Republic of Turkey.
The Treaty of Lausanne contains 143 articles and was distributed over 17 documents. Its main contents are as under:
- It abolished the Treaty of Sevres and its unfair clauses
- Demarcated and recognized the new borders.
- It formally recognized the Turkish Republic under Mustafa Kemal and the abolition of the Caliphate.
- The Treaty delineated the borders of Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey and formally conceded all Turkish claims on the Dodecanese Islands (Article 15), Cyprus (Article 20), Egypt and Sudan (Article 17), Iraq and Syria (Article 3).
- The Dodecanese is a group of islands in the Aegean Sea, off the southwestern coast of Turkey in southeastern Greece.
- The Fate of Mosul was left to be determined through the League of Nations. Mosul is a major city in present-day northern Iraq and serves as the capital of the Nineveh Governorate.
- The separate Kurdish territory, which was a part of the treaty of Severs was abandoned.
- Armenian people were split between the Soviet Union and Turkey.
- Turkey had to renounce its sovereignty over Cyprus, Libya, Egypt, and Levant cities located in Syria e.g. Adana and Gaziantep.
- Syria and Lebanon fell under French occupation. Moreover, Egypt, Sudan, and Iraq became officially part of the British occupation.
- Palestine came under British authorities (before being handed over to the newborn state of Israel).
- As a punitive action, to crush Turkey, the Turkish straits between the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea were declared open to all shipping and unrestricted civilian passage through Turkish straits. The purpose was to limit its resources from the international passage.
- More restrictions were clamped on Turkey as it was prevented from drilling for oil and gas. https://thediplomaticinsight.com/
Going back in time, Ataturk had officially declared the name of the nation and proclaimed its status as a republic 0n October 29, 1923.
Afterwards, there was a vote in the Grand National Assembly and Ataturk was unanimously elected the first president of the Republic of Türkiye.
Since then, Türkiye has celebrated Republic Day every October 29, across all provinces and abroad.
Here’s a brief account of some of the many key developments of these 101 years:
Secure elections
Foremost among the achievements is the stabilization of the democratic system, which has faced many obstacles in the past, from military coups to closure of political parties and issues of representation in Parliament.
The country managed to conduct largely democratic elections following its transition to a multi-party system in 1950. The number of political parties had risen to 126 in 2023.
Diversification in political representation
With women granted full political rights in 1934, their representation in the Parliament hit a high in the May 2023 elections, reaching 121 women MPs.
With the age limit for contesting polls reduced to 18 in 2017, the entry of young candidates into Türkiye’s Parliament has also diversified the age range of representatives.
In addition, voter turnouts have increased dramatically.
Adopting presidential system and electoral alliance law
In the referendum of 2017, the parliamentary system was changed to a presidential model, following a prior move to formalize the election of presidents by popular vote.
In 2021, the electoral alliance law was passed, allowing smaller parties to form blocks or alliances. This helped these parties to pass the 7% threshold for participation, which itself was reduced from 10%.
The first electric car: TOGG
A politically stable Turkish Republic paved the way for technological innovations in automotive, defence and energy sectors.
Türkiye’s 60-year dream, the first electric car, TOGG, was introduced in 2019, which is a significant symbol of the country’s advancement in hi-tech.
Breakthroughs in defence and increasing security
In the past two decades, Türkiye’s defence sector has reduced its foreign dependency from 80% to 20%.
Agriculture
As one of the world’s most significant agricultural producers, Türkiye has consistently ensured the security of food supply throughout the 100-year history of the Republic.
The country adapted technological innovations in the sector and initiated policies to ease the migration from rural to urban areas, while encouraging domestic production. After going through many transformations, especially in the last 20 years, Türkiye’s agriculture sector is now among the 10 largest in the world. https://www.trtworld.com/
What does it mean for Turkiye from 2023
With the expiration of the 100-year treaty in 2023, Turkiye will be able to drill for oil, establishing a new channel connecting the Black Sea and Sea of Marmara for collecting the fees from passing ships.
Moreover, it will be able to spearhead gas exploration in Syria, Iraq, and Libya, especially after the discovery of oil in Mosul which remains the most significant area for Turkiye.
Erdogan reclaimed the Greek Islands in the Aegean after the expiration of the Treaty, which was handed over to Greece. Turkiye will be free to take charge of the rich and underground resources in Northern Iraq and begin exploration.
Likewise, it will be able to take back control of Libya and Cyprus and maintain a presence in the Mediterranean region. https://thediplomaticinsight.com/
FESTIVITIES
Today, 29th October 2024 events began with a ceremony in Ankara, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, alongside key government and military figures, paid tribute to the republic’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk at Anitkabir, his mausoleum.
Erdogan emphasized Türkiye’s resilience and determination to continue Ataturk’s vision of modernisation and development. He also said “Today, we are filled with happiness and rightful pride as we celebrate the first ANNIVERARY of the new century of our Republic.”
Addressing challenges, Erdoğan declared, “Neither terrorist organizations, nor those who seek to flood our region with blood and fire through expansionist ambitions, nor the imperialists who support and embolden them, can prevent us from achieving the goals of our struggle.” https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/
In Kusadasi
The October 29th Republic Day celebrations in Kuşadası began with great enthusiasm and pride.
As part of the holiday program, a meaningful wreath-laying ceremony was first held in Atatürk Square.
Kuşadası District Governor İbrahim Keklik, Kuşadası Garrison Commander Per. Lieutenant Colonel İlker Görkem, Kuşadası Mayor Ömer Günel, deputy mayors, municipal council members, administrative and civil administrators serving in the district, political party representatives and many citizens attended the ceremony. https://raillynews.com/
The celebrations extended across the country, with notable events in Istanbul featuring impressive light displays over the Bosphorus.
Citizens, from schoolchildren to officials, gathered for parades, concerts, and fireworks, expressing unity and pride. Internationally, Turkish embassies hosted similar gatherings, underscoring Türkiye’s global presence.
This year’s Republic Day events not only honoured the nation’s historical journey but also highlighted Türkiye’s contemporary achievements and aspirations, especially in economic and social development.
President Erdogan’s message celebrated the Republic’s enduring principles and conveyed a vision of Türkiye as a strong, resilient nation on the world stage. https://www.trtworld.com/
