What Happened in 1919 for the Greece vs Turkey War?
The Greek-Turkish War, also known as the Asia Minor Campaign, was a devastating conflict that took place in 1919-1922 between Greece and Turkey. The war was sparked by the Allied powers’ decision to give Greece permission to occupy parts of Western Anatolia, which had been ceded to Turkey after the Ottoman Empire’s defeat in World War I. This decision led to a series of events that ultimately resulted in the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of modern-day Turkey.
Background
Prior to the war, Greece and Turkey had a long-standing rivalry that dated back to the Ottoman Empire. The two nations had clashed several times throughout history, including during the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913, where Greece had gained significant territories from the Ottoman Empire.
In 1918, the Allied powers, which included Greece, Britain, France, and the United States, had been victorious in World War I. As a result, they sought to redraw the map of the Middle East and redefine the borders of the various nations in the region.
The Occupation of Western Anatolia
In February 1919, Greece, with the backing of the Allied powers, launched a military campaign to occupy parts of Western Anatolia, which had been ceded to Turkey after the Ottoman Empire’s defeat. The Greek army, led by General Anastasios Papoulas, arrived in Smyrna (now İzmir) on May 15, 1919, and began to spread throughout the region.
Turkish Resistance
However, the Turkish people did not take kindly to the Greek occupation. A Turkish nationalist movement, led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, emerged to resist the Greek occupation. Atatürk, who would later become the founder of modern Turkey, believed that the Turkish people had a right to self-determination and that the Greek occupation was a threat to Turkish sovereignty.
The Nationalist Movement
In April 1919, the Turkish National Assembly, a group of Turkish intellectuals and politicians, was established in Ankara. The assembly, which was led by Atatürk, called for the resistance of the Greek occupation and the establishment of an independent Turkish state.
The Greco-Turkish War
The conflict between Greece and Turkey escalated into full-scale war in May 1920. The Turkish Nationalist Army, led by Atatürk, launched a series of attacks against the Greek army, which had occupied parts of Western Anatolia.
Key Events
- Battle of İnönü: The Turkish Nationalist Army won a decisive victory against the Greek army at the Battle of İnönü, which took place on May 11, 1921. This battle marked a turning point in the war, as it demonstrated the strength and determination of the Turkish Nationalist Army.
- Battle of Dumlupınar: The Turkish Nationalist Army won another decisive victory against the Greek army at the Battle of Dumlupınar, which took place on August 30, 1922. This battle marked the end of the war and the defeat of the Greek army.
Treaty of Lausanne
The Treaty of Lausanne, which was signed on July 24, 1923, brought an end to the war and established the borders of modern-day Turkey. The treaty also led to the exchange of populations between Greece and Turkey, which resulted in the forced relocation of millions of people.
Aftermath
The war had devastating consequences for both Greece and Turkey. The conflict resulted in significant loss of life and destruction of property, and both nations were left to deal with the aftermath of the war.
Table: Key Dates of the Greco-Turkish War
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 1919 | Greece launches a military campaign to occupy Western Anatolia |
| May 15, 1919 | Greek army arrives in Smyrna (now İzmir) |
| April 1919 | Turkish National Assembly is established in Ankara |
| May 11, 1921 | Battle of İnönü |
| August 30, 1922 | Battle of Dumlupınar |
| July 24, 1923 | Treaty of Lausanne is signed |
Conclusion
The Greece-Turkey War of 1919-1922 was a devastating conflict that had significant consequences for both nations. The war marked the end of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of modern-day Turkey, and it led to the forced relocation of millions of people. The conflict also demonstrated the strength and determination of the Turkish Nationalist Army, which was led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Today, the legacy of the war continues to shape the relationship between Greece and Turkey, and it remains an important part of their history and identity.
