The Treaty of Sèvres, signed on 10 August 1920 in the Paris suburb of Sèvres, was one of the peace settlements concluding the First World War. It was negotiated between the Allied Powers — principally Britain, France, Italy, and Japan, alongside Greece, Armenia, and other states — and the government of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed VI.
The treaty imposed a sweeping partition of the Ottoman Empire. Among its key provisions:
- Territorial losses: The Ottomans renounced claims to Arab provinces, which were placed under British and French League of Nations mandates (Iraq, Palestine, Transjordan, Syria, Lebanon). The Hejaz was recognised as independent.
- Greek gains: Eastern Thrace and the Smyrna (İzmir) region were assigned to Greek administration, with a referendum foreseen for Smyrna after five years.
- Armenia and Kurdistan: Article 89 referred the Turkey–Armenia border to arbitration by US President Woodrow Wilson, who issued an award in November 1920. Articles 62–64 envisaged possible autonomy and later independence for a Kurdish region.
- Straits regime: The Turkish Straits were demilitarised and placed under an international commission, with free passage for all ships.
- Capitulations and finances: Pre-war capitulations (extraterritorial privileges for foreigners) were restored, and Ottoman finances were placed under Allied supervision.
- Military restrictions: The Ottoman army was capped at roughly 50,000 men.
The treaty was signed by the Sultan's representatives but rejected by the Turkish nationalist movement led by Mustafa Kemal (later Atatürk) based in Ankara. The ensuing Turkish War of Independence (1919–1922) defeated Greek forces in Anatolia and reversed the settlement. Sèvres was never ratified and was superseded by the Treaty of Lausanne on 24 July 1923, which recognised the borders of the Republic of Turkey.
The term "Sèvres syndrome" is still used in Turkish political discourse to describe a perceived Western intent to partition the country.
Example
In August 1920, Ottoman delegates signed the Treaty of Sèvres in France, accepting terms that would have placed Smyrna under Greek administration and created an independent Armenia — terms reversed three years later by the Treaty of Lausanne.
Frequently asked questions
It was signed by the Ottoman Sultan's government but rejected by the Ankara-based Turkish nationalist movement, which won the Turkish War of Independence and renegotiated terms at Lausanne in 1923.
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