This immediate causes being investigated here relate to the beginning of the war on the Turkish front because the Ottoman Empire did not play a significant role in the July Crisis.
July Crisis in ottoman empire
Timeline of Events
In order for Germany to enter the Dardanelles it had to:
- Ottoman Empire approached German government with an offer for close ties in late July
- Enver Pasha believed that the Ottoman Empire needed support from one of the major powers in the war
- Enver, Prince Said Halim, and Talat Bey were convinced that Germany and allies were militarily more powerful than the Triple Entente and would prevail in war
- On the same day that Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, July 28th, the Ottoman Empire presented a formal alliance proposal to the Germans
- The German chancellor would only sign the treaty if the Turks agreed to undertake action against Russia, meaning that the majority of the army would be sent to Thrace, jointed with Bulgaria, against Southern Russia. On August 2nd, it was signed.
- General mobilization ordered.
- Ottomans declared that they would stay neutral.
- Ottoman Empire cal for German military officers to train and improve the Ottoman Empire's military
- General Liman’s military mission was to have an “effective influence on the general direction” of the Ottoman army and get Reich to help protect the territorial integrity of the sultan’s realm (Trumpener 346).
- On August 5th, Enver told the Russian military attaché in Istanbul that the mobilization of the Ottoman army was not directed against Russia to avoid declarations of war.
- On August 6th, Prince Halim called Wangenheim to office.
- Talked about opening the Dardanelles to both the German Mediterranean Squadron and any Austro-Hungarian warships that might accompany them but reinforced that Ottoman empire would remain neutral
In order for Germany to enter the Dardanelles it had to:
- Promise assistance in the abolition of the capitulations
- Agree to lend its support in regard to the indispensable understandings with Romania and Bulgaria, and it shall see to it that Turkey secures a fair agreement with Bulgaria with reference to possible spoils of war
- Not conclude peace unless Turkish territories which may be occupied by its enemies in the course of the war are evacuated
- See to it that the Aegean islands are returned if Turkey defeated Greece in the war.
- Secure for Turkey a small correction of its eastern border, which shall place Turkey into direct contact with the Muslims of Russia
- See to it that Turkey receives an appropriate war indemnity (Trumpener 347 - 348)
- Wangenheim accepted these proposals, but tells Berlin that the promises will be implemented only if Germany has a definitive victory. For the Ottoman empire, the agreements ensure them of certain real gains after victory once it entered the war on Germany's side.
- On August 9th, Hollweg spoke, saying that every attempt should be made to bring the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria into the war. It was highly unrealistic, though, so the governments of both countries had reasons to postpone any overt action.
- Italy and Romania refused to fight on side of Central Powers. Shifted power balance in the Balkans toward Entente
- Istanbul received warnings from the entente bloc to not do anything ill-advised
- German boats arrive in Dardanelles early
- Ottomans were worried that the presence of boats in the straits would lead to the Entente declaring war on Turkey
- Cruisers would be allowed to stay in a remote spot in the Sea of Marmara and that the Porte would insist on turning them into Ottoman property through a fictitious purchase. Buy boats before Germany can react to proposal.
- Public opinion was elated over the purchase since they had already acquired two dreadnoughts from Britain
- Germany pressured the Ottoman Empire to join war
- Mutual defense pact signed with Bulgaria
- Germans agree to strengthen Dardanelles defenses
- Ottoman empire ends capitulations
- Entente and Central Powers send notes of protest
- On September 14th, Enver Pasha authorized Admiral Souchon to take his ship into the Black Sea and open fire on any Russian vessels.
- A week later, war minister ordered Dardanelles to close all foreign ships, lay down minefields and anti submarine nets.
- In late September, a gold loan of five million was requested. It would send Souchon's ships into action against the Russians if there were to receive just 40% of the gold loan immediately. Berlin gave them the gold (Trumpener 352)
- In the Black Sea, there was naval action against the Russians.
- On November 2nd, Russians declared was on Ottoman Empire. In the next 48 hours, Cavid Bey resigned, but the Prince said Halim remained Grand Vizier
- Conclusion:
- The decision of CUP in July 1914 to throw in their lot with Germany and intervention of the Ottomans three months later sealed the fate of the empire
- Interventionists wanted to regain some of its lost territories and expand further into Asia
- There was hope that participation in the war would facilitate the administrative “centralization” of the Sultan’s realm by whittling down the remaining privileges of its various ethnic and religious minorities
Social Conditions
- The public was uplifted by the fake purchase of boats from the Germans and dreadnoughts from British
- They perceived it as their country getting stronger militarily
- Believed that they could stand their own in war
Political
- There were many divisions on who to ally with for the war
- Split between Entente, because they had more influence in Baltics, or Germans who were perceived as stronger
- The government was hoping that Russia would reject its proposal so that it can get more support to ally with the Central Powers
- Germany and Turkey agreed on proposals that gave the Ottoman Empire a set of tangible gains after victory if it entered the war on Germany's side
- Did not want for entente to declare war on Ottomans because of German presence in the Dardanelles. Staged purchase.
- Ottomans ended capitulations
- Grand Vizier, opposed to intervention, stopped Enver from joining the war on the Black Sea many times
- October 27th - Raided enemy ports and coastal installations
- Fury in Cabinet and Central Committee
- Interventionists come out on top
- Russia declares war
Military
- Ottomans needed support from one of the Alliance Blocs because it was weak
- A general mobilization was ordered after first proposal to Germany
- Majority of army sent to Thrace for offensive with Bulgaria against Russia
- Declaration of neutrality issued
- Brought in German military advisers to improve military
- Germans strengthen Dardanelles defenses
- In the Black Sea, there was naval action against the Russians.
- Initially rejected by Grand Vizier, but eventually was overruled
- Close Dardanelles to all foreign ships, except Germany
- On October 27th, Ottoman fleet leaves Bosporus and attacks Russian ports
- On November 2nd, Russians declared war on Ottoman Empire.
Economic
- October 1 - Porte raised foreign-controlled customs duties and closed off all foreign post offices in the empire
- Examples of capitulatory privileges that were revoked
- In late September, a gold loan of five million was requested from Berlin
- Would go to war with Russians if they were to receive 40% of gold
- Berlin gave them the gold
- Naval action undertaken
- Russia declaedes war
It was because of these social, political, military, and economic reasons that the Ottoman Empire entered the war in 1914. The Ottoman Empire, consisting of 22 million people, forced the entente powers to dedicate large numbers of troops and significant naval forces to combat the Ottoman Empire (Trumpener 337). In doing so, it reduced the pressure on Germany and Austria-Hungary. After the World War, the Empire collapsed and opened the way for drastic change in the Middle East.