The Historical Background and Provisions of the Treaty of Lausanne

Abstract

This study explores the historical background and key provisions of the Treaty of Lausanne, signed on July 24, 1923, which marked the formal conclusion of hostilities between the Allied Powers and the newly established Republic of Turkey following World War I and the Turkish War of Independence. The treaty replaced the earlier Treaty of Sèvres (1920), which had been rejected by Turkish nationalists under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The research examines the political, diplomatic, and military factors that led to the negotiation of the Treaty of Lausanne, including the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the rise of Turkish nationalism, and the shifting priorities of European powers. It also analyzes the major provisions of the treaty, such as territorial adjustments, the abolition of capitulations, population exchanges, minority rights, and economic arrangements. This study underscores the treaty's enduring significance in shaping the modern boundaries and sovereignty of Turkey and its role in redefining international relations in the post-Ottoman Middle East.