Ship incidents that influenced turkish foreign policy (1914–1945)

Turkish foreign policy has historically been shaped by international developments, wars, treaties, and shifting regional balances. In this process, maritime activities and events related to naval routes have had a direct or indirect impact on foreign policy formation, alongside political and military developments. This study focuses on the period between 1914 and 1945, aiming to examine the impact of significant maritime incidents during this era on Turkish foreign policy through a historical and analytical approach. The period spanning from the final years of the Ottoman Empire to the early years of the Republic of Turkey coincides with a time in world history marked by two major wars, during which states redefined their international positions. It was also a time when Turkey not only fought for its independence but also constructed a new foreign policy identity. In this context, several ships and events that left a mark on maritime history influenced Turkish foreign policy not only through their technical or military dimensions but also via their diplomatic and legal ramifications. Key events addressed in this thesis include: the incorporation of the Goeben and Breslau (later renamed Yavuz and Midilli) into the Ottoman Navy in 1914 and their role in provoking Ottoman entry into World War I by bombarding Russian ports in the Black Sea; the symbolic significance of the Bandırma Ferry carrying Mustafa Kemal Pasha to Samsun in 1919 to initiate the War of Independence; the 1921 Gazi Alemdar operation in the Black Sea, which became one of the first examples of Turkey asserting its maritime rights and sovereignty; the 1926 Bozkurt-Lotus Case, where Turkey positioned itself as a sovereign actor in the realm of international law by defending its jurisdictional rights; and finally, the Struma Incident of 1942, which reflects Turkey's foreign policy of neutrality during World War II and its intersection with humanitarian crises. These events went beyond being mere maritime or military incidents within their historical contexts and led to significant turning points, shifts in orientation, and diplomatic repositioning in Turkish foreign policy. Each incident provides insight into viii how core principles of Turkish foreign policy—such as independence, sovereignty, neutrality, and a balanced approach—were practically implemented. This thesis analyzes the effects of these ship-related events in detail, based on archival documents, primary sources, and secondary literature, and explores how they influenced Turkey's foreign policy-making from military, diplomatic, and legal perspectives. Additionally, it examines how these incidents affected Turkey's bilateral relations with certain states, its stance on maritime law, and its positioning as an international actor. The primary aim of this study is to present a new perspective on the formation of Turkish foreign policy between 1914 and 1945 through the lens of maritime incidents and to contribute to the academic literature in this field. By highlighting the interaction between maritime history and foreign policy, this thesis intends to offer a comprehensive evaluation relevant to both historical and international relations disciplines. It is also hoped that the findings of this research will serve as a basis for future scholarly work in this area.