Treaty of Sèvres Divides the Ottoman Empire

August 10th, 1920

August 10th, 1920

Treaty of Sèvres Divides the Ottoman Empire
How Long Ago?

104 years, 7 months, 4 days ago

Location

Sèvres, France

Category

Politics & Government

War/Conflict

World War I

People
  • Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
  • Mehmed VI
Links & References
Tags

Treaty of Sèvres Divides the Ottoman Empire

Representatives of the Ottoman sultan Mehmed VI signed the Treaty of Sèvres, which aimed to partition the Ottoman Empire among the Allied Powers. This agreement followed World War I and was part of the peace settlement. The treaty was signed in Sèvres, France, and marked a significant reduction of the Ottoman territories and influence after their defeat.

Treaty aimed to partition the Ottoman Empire.

Sultan Mehmed VI's representatives signed it.

Recognized new independent states like Armenia.

Facilitated the rise of Turkish nationalism.

What Happened?

The Treaty of Sèvres was signed on this day by representatives of Mehmed VI, the last Ottoman sultan, and the Allied Powers, significantly altering the geopolitical landscape of the post-World War I era. Following the war's conclusion, the Allies aimed to dismantle the remnants of the Ottoman Empire, which had sided with the Central Powers during the conflict. The treaty was part of a larger series of agreements, which also included the Treaty of Versailles, that sought to establish a new world order after the devastation of the war.

The treaty included terms that recognized Armenia and Kurdistan as independent states, and it severely limited the territory of the Ottoman Empire, reducing it primarily to the Anatolian peninsula. Additionally, it placed parts of the territory under the control of various Allied nations, including Greece, France, and Britain. This division was intended to curb Ottoman influence and stabilize the region, but it met with significant resistance from both local populations and nationalist movements within the empire.

The signing occurred in Sèvres, a suburb of Paris, and was the culmination of negotiations reflecting the goals of the victorious nations to reallocate land based on strategic interests and nationalist aspirations. Notably, the treaty was rejected by the Turkish nationalist movement led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, leading to further conflict and the eventual establishment of the Republic of Turkey.

Why Does it Matter?

The Treaty of Sèvres is interesting due to its immediate and long-lasting implications for the Middle East and the formation of nation-states. It marked the beginning of significant territorial disputes and nationalistic movements within the region. The rejection of this treaty by Turkish nationalists ultimately led to the War of Independence and the establishment of modern Turkey, reshaping the regional balance of power.

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