Washington ambassadors in Turkish-US relations (1927-1960)

This thesis deals with the roles of the Turkish Ambassadors, who were sent to Washington between 1927 and 1960, in Turkey-US relations.A total of eight Turkish diplomats, one of whom was a charge d'affaires, served in Washington during this period. The USA sent a total of ten Ambassadors.The visit of Ahmet Muhtar Bey,the first Ambassador of Turkey to Washington, to Washington was very eventful, and even Muhtar Bey had to go to Washington after Joseph Grew, the first American Ambassador.Those who did not want Muhtar Bey in Washington directly targeted Turkey and especially Mustafa Kemal Atatürk with their black propaganda through newspapers, magazines and other means. As a result of the efforts of both the Washington administration and the Turkish government, Muhtar Bey was able to go to Washington and started his duty as Ambassador, which would last seven years. Mehmet Münir Ertegün, who became the Ambassador after Muhtar Bey, was the longest-serving Ambassador in Washington between 1927-1960.World War II took place in his embassy.Ertegün became the representative in Washington of the policies of Turkey, which remained neutral in the Second World War. Ertegün managed to become the favorite Turkish Ambassador of the Americans during his time in Washington. After he passed away in 1944, his grave was brought to Turkey by the Missouri battleship in 1946. After Ertegün's death, Orhan Halit Erol took his place as charge d'affaires.With the authorization given to him, Erol signed the United Nations Declaration on behalf of Turkey in February 1945.This declaration is considered a kind of foundation of the United Nations Organization.After Erol, Hüseyin Ragıp Baydur was brought to the Washington Embassy in March 1945.One of the most competent names of Turkish diplomacy, Baydur played a very important role in matters related to Turkey's foreign affairs during his Washington Embassy.One of the names who signed the United Nations Treaty on behalf of Turkey is Hüseyin Ragıp Bey.After Baydur, Feridun Cemal Erkin was appointed as the Washington Embassy in 1948.One of the most important events during Erkin's embassy period is the Korean War.Erkin has masterfully handled the parts of Turkey's decisions regarding the Korean War. After Erkin, Ali Haydar Görk was appointed to the Washington Embassy in 1955.During his reign, some agreements were signed with the United States and some of these agreements were signed by Ambassador Görk on behalf of Turkey.After Görk, Suat Hayri Ürgüplü was appointed to the Washington Embassy in 1957.Just like Ali Haydar Bey, he signed some agreements between Turkey and the USA in Ürgüplü on behalf of Turkey.Ürgüplü's Embassy ended in 1960 and Melih Esenbel was appointed instead.Melih Bey's Embassy ended in the same year due to the Revolution that took place in Turkey on May 27,1960, and he was summoned to Turkey. Key Words : Turkey , USA , Ankara, Washington , Washington Turkish Ambassadors, Ahmet Muhtar Mollaoğlu, Mehmet Münir Ertegün, Orhan Halit Erol, Hüseyin Ragıp Baydur, Feridun Cemal Erkin, Ali Haydar Görk, Suat Hayri Ürgüplü, Melih Rauf Esenbel