When you see the title, you might think that Turkey did not participate in World War II and remained neutral throughout the war. However, while Turkey did not actively engage in the war, it officially declared war on the Axis powers, Germany and Japan, in the final days of the conflict. So, what were the reasons that led Turkey to enter this war, and why did Turkey remain neutral during World War II?
Since its establishment, the Republic of Turkey, under the leadership of Atatürk, followed a policy of "Peace at home, peace in the world." As Atatürk mentioned in his meeting with General McArthur, he foresaw that Germany might initiate a world war, and Turkey decided to remain neutral in such a potential conflict.
From the onset of World War II until its conclusion in 1945, both Germany and the Allies, including Britain, repeatedly tried to involve Turkey in the war. Despite all the pressure, the Republic of Turkey maintained its neutrality, refusing to join either side.
In 1939, as suspicions of the outbreak of World War II grew, countries began signing a series of alliance agreements in response to Germany and Italy's aggressive stances. Turkey, in this context, declared its alignment with Britain and France against these aggressions by signing a joint declaration.
Following the Non-Aggression Pact between Stalin and Hitler on August 23, 1939 (which was later broken by Hitler when he invaded Russia), France and Britain furthered their relations with Turkey, culminating in an alliance agreement signed in Ankara on October 19, 1939. According to this agreement, if a European country declared war on Turkey, France and Britain would come to its aid, and vice versa.
If you wonder why Turkey didn't send troops to this alliance, it's because shortly after the outbreak of World War II, France was completely occupied, leading to its surrender, and Britain did not insist on sending troops. As a result, Turkey steered clear of the war.
In 1940, with Italy entering the war, World War II spread to the shores of the Mediterranean. By 1941, the entire Balkans had been occupied by the Nazis. As the war approached Turkish borders, Britain, seeking to safeguard its interests and oil fields in the Middle East, urged Turkey to join the conflict. However, at the same time, Germany, planning to attack Soviet Russia, sought a non-aggression pact with Turkey to secure its southern fronts. Consequently, on June 18, 1941, the Turkish-German Friendship Pact was signed, in which both parties pledged not to attack each other.
In 1942, as World War II surged ahead, it became a year in which both sides heavily pressured Turkey to join their ranks in the war. However, Turkey, citing military and strategic necessities, continued to reject all offers.
By 1943, with signs of Germany's impending defeat, Britain, America, and Russia sought to bring Turkey into the war on their side, aiming for Turkey to share in the victory. To achieve this, Churchill met with Ismet Inonu on January 30, 1943, in Adana.
While negotiations on Turkey's entry into the war continued, in a meeting held by Britain, America, and Russia, they decided to increase pressure on Turkey to join the war. In response, Churchill and Eisenhower invited Ismet Inonu to Cairo on December 3, 1943.
As Ismet Inonu once again refused to participate in the war, in April 1944, the Allied countries halted military aid to Turkey. Subsequently, with the looming signs of Germany's defeat, Turkey severed all relations with Germany in August 1944. Later, on January 6, 1945, it completely cut ties with Japan. After obtaining assurance that Turkey would receive the same treatment as the Allied forces in the post-war Peace Conference, Turkey severed its political relations with Germany on August 2, 1944. The first rupture in relations between Turkey and Germany occurred in the shipment of chrome. In 1941, Turkey ceased chrome shipments to Germany.
Turkey Officially Enters World War II
In February 1945, when Britain informed Turkey that only countries that declared war on Germany and Japan before March 1, 1945, would be able to participate in the San Francisco Conference on April 25, Turkey declared war on Germany on February 23, 1945. Although the Republic of Turkey technically entered the war, it did not send troops to the frontlines, as Germany was already effectively defeated.
Not wanting to be left outside the newly formed United Nations, Turkey officially joined World War II shortly before its conclusion and became one of the founding members of the United Nations.
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