The Greco-Turkish War: A Struggle for Territory and Nationalism (1919–1922)

The Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922, a crucial conflict during the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire after World War I, spanned from May 15, 1919, to October 14, 1922. The war pitted Greece against the Turkish National Movement, catalyzed by the ambitions of the Western Allies, particularly British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, who had promised Greece territorial gains at the expense of the defeated Ottoman Empire. Encouraged by these promises, Greece occupied Izmir and aimed for control over Southern Albania, Thrace, Istanbul, and Western Anatolia.

The Greek campaign began with significant Western backing, as the Allies, overconfident in their dominance over the Turks, aggressively pushed their pre-planned schemes. Greece's preparations included an attack on Thrace. The Ottoman Khalifah, under immense pressure from the Allies, was not prepared for a confrontation. Meanwhile, the Turkish nationalists, based in Ankara, were initially unable to mobilize a significant military response.

Greek forces, after occupying Adrianople and Izmir, engaged in severe repression, leading to widespread tyranny and atrocities against local populations. This prompted the Allies to establish a Joint Commission of Inquiry. The commission, unsurprisingly, held Greece accountable for exceeding the limits of civilized governance and recommended that Greece vacate Anatolia and return control to the Allies.

Despite these recommendations, the conflict escalated. Greece, bolstered by British and French naval support, launched renewed offensives against the Turkish nationalists. However, the nationalists, led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, managed to confront and repel Greek forces successfully. The Allies convened in London, ostensibly to address the situation, but their primary goal was to buy time.

In 1921, the war saw significant developments, including the death of Prince Andrew, brother of Greek King Constantine, during a battle. The nationalists' continued resistance culminated in decisive victories against the Greeks. The protracted conflict finally concluded with the Treaty of Lausanne on July 24, 1923. The treaty required Greece to return Eastern Thrace and the islands of Imbros and Tenedos to Turkey and relinquish its claim to Smyrna.

The Greco-Turkish War was a significant chapter in the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of the modern Turkish state. It highlighted the complexities of post-World War I geopolitics and the nationalistic fervor that shaped the region's future. The war's aftermath led to population exchanges and redrawn boundaries, significantly altering the demographic and political landscape of the region.
The Greco-Turkish War: A Struggle for Territory and Nationalism (1919–1922)