The Waning Crescent: Turkish War of Independence

"There are no hopeless situations; there are only hopeless people." - Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

July 15, 1919. Enemies surround Turkey, with a recent Greek landing on Smyrna being the latest in a long series of foreign occupations after the Ottoman defeat in the First World War. Previously, the proud Turkish people refused the terms the Entente imposed within the armistice of Mudros, which included a substantial disarmament of the Ottoman military, and legally allowed the Allies to occupy Turkish lands as they saw fit, effectively inviting the Entente to occupy Turkey. Italy and Greece have already taken full advantage of the armistice to occupy desired territories in southern and western Anatolia. The crown jewel of the empire, Constantinople, is occupied by the Allies, as the Ottoman government, propped up by the Entente, exists in direct opposition to the nationalists in Ankara. The Armistice of Mudros merely provides a prelude to what will come to Turkey if the nationalists fail in their goals of saving their nation. Delegates in this committee are at a crossroads, and the paths they choose will determine the future of the Middle East for years to come. As for the Turkish people, they are being forced to ask themselves: What will remain once the dust settles over the corpse of the Ottoman Empire?

For any questions, please email the director at turkish@markmun.ca.