Balkans in Germany’s Eastern Policy Cover Image

Almanya’nın Doğu Politikasında Balkanlar
Balkans in Germany’s Eastern Policy

Author(s): Suat Zeyrek, Hasan Hakan Ulutin
Subject(s): Military history, 19th Century, Pre-WW I & WW I (1900 -1919), The Ottoman Empire
Published by: SD Yayınevi
Keywords: Germany; the Ottoman Empire; the Eastern Question; Abdulhamid II; the Balkans;

Summary/Abstract: Ottoman state had lost a large part of Balkans as a result of being powerless against Western imperial policies in the nineteenth century. Four states, three independent and one autonomous state, had been established in Balkans. It is seen that Western states were allied with each other in Balkan policy against Ottoman State. Nonetheless, there is a misperception in Turkish public opinion about Germany which was that the German friendship has constantly been emphasized. The negative influence of Germany in the developments before and during the Balkan wars and the military-political relations, have never been evaluated. Because right after the war, relations with Germany were increased to the highest level and military mission led by Liman von Sanders arrived in Istanbul in late 1913. This military mission prepared the Ottoman Empire to the upcoming World War I. Ottoman military officials were so much affected by Germany that they eagerly strived to enter the war. The purpose of the German military and political mission starting with Moltke and continuing with Von der Goltz, was to set up the German system in the army and to win an ally equipped with their own weapons. The aim of this study is to show that German adopted a Balkan policy ignoring Ottoman Empire. It is argued that Germany constantly played a double game against Ottoman Empire. The paper shows the role Germany played in losing Balkans.

  • Issue Year: 4/2020
  • Issue No: 20
  • Page Range: 178-214
  • Page Count: 37
  • Language: Turkish