Turkish-Balkan Relations 1930-1940

This thesis examines Turkish-Balkan relations 1930-1940. After the first World War, the Turkish Republic that was proclaimed in the Anatolian territories of the fallen Ottoman Empire acted wisely enough to learn from the experiences of the disintegrated empire and thus the new Republic's main objective in regard to its foreign politics, especially in regard to the Balkan nations, was to form relations based on peace. Turkish Balkan relations developed as a result of this peace policy.

This research paper consists of four parts. The first part analyses the general situation in Europe after the First World War because after 1870's, the Balkans became on the areas with which European diplomacy was chiefly concerned.

The second part concentrates on the general situation in the Balkans after the First World War, with a view of Turkish foreign policy as it was employed during that period. The main feature of Turkish foreign policy after the Lausanne Conference was the War of Independence. The analysis of Turkish foreign policy during the periods of 1919-1923 and 1923-1938 reveals insights regarding Turkey's political strategies with the Balkan nations today.
The third part discusses the concept behind Turkey's activities to establish international peace in the Balkans through closer relations and conferences. The final part consist of an analysis of the Balkan convention.

(Approved by Prof. Dr. Zafer Toprak, Prof. Dr. Sevket Pamuk, Dr. Duygu Köksal)