Anti-Americanism in Turkey after World War II: An assessment through crises

This study comprehensively analyses the historical development of relations between Turkey and the United States, strategic turning points, and the social dynamics of anti-Americanism. The process, which began with commercial and diplomatic contacts during the Ottoman Empire and continued with the institutionalisation of strategic partnerships during the Cold War, is examined within a multidimensional framework. The research was conducted using historical document searches, media discourse analysis, and public opinion data. Within the framework of four hypotheses, the study empirically supports how the image of the United States in Turkey has been shaped over time, how anti-American sentiment has risen in times of crisis, and how this has been reflected in foreign policy preferences. It has been determined that strategic ruptures that emerged during critical periods, such as the 1964 Johnson Letter, the 1974 Cyprus Operation, and the 2003 Iraq War, led Turkey to turn to alternative alliances and deepen its relations with actors such as Russia. The article examines in detail how American aid was portrayed in the media and how it was received by the public during times of crisis. In conclusion, it demonstrates that Turkey-US relations are shaped not only at the diplomatic level but also through social perceptions and media discourse.