The Treaty of Sèvres was one of the post-World War I treaties that aimed to partition the Ottoman Empire and outline the terms of peace with the Allies. It was signed on August 10, 1920, in the town of Sèvres, France, but was never ratified by the Ottoman government or its successor, the Republic of Turkey.
Historical Context
Following the defeat of the Central Powers in World War I, the Allies sought to dismantle the Ottoman Empire, which had been a significant part of the Central Powers. The Treaty of Sèvres was one of several treaties imposed on the defeated nations. The treaty was influenced by:
Provisions of the Treaty
The treaty included several key provisions:
- Territorial Changes: It drastically reduced the territory of the Ottoman Empire:
- Thrace west of the Maritsa River was ceded to Greece.
- Italy was granted control over the Dodecanese islands and a sphere of influence in Anatolia.
- Armenia was to become an independent state, and a large part of Eastern Turkey was to be given to the First Republic of Armenia.
- Syria and Lebanon were to be under French mandate, while Palestine and Mesopotamia (Iraq) were to be under British mandate.
- Capitulations: The treaty reintroduced the capitulations system, allowing foreign powers extensive rights within the remaining Ottoman territories.
- Minority Rights: It provided for the protection of minorities, including Armenians, Greeks, and others, within Turkey.
- Control over the Straits: The Straits Commission was established to control the Dardanelles and the Bosporus, with international oversight.
- Military Restrictions: The Ottoman army was limited to 50,000 men, and the navy was to be disarmed.
Rejection and Consequences
The Treaty of Sèvres was met with significant opposition from the Turkish nationalist movement led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. His government, based in Ankara, refused to recognize the treaty:
Legacy
Although never implemented, the Treaty of Sèvres remains a significant event in the history of the Middle East:
- It marked the beginning of the end of the Ottoman Empire and the modern reshaping of the Middle East.
- It contributed to the ongoing conflicts and nationalistic movements in the region.
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