The Treaty of Lausanne: Ending the Italo-Turkish War

The Treaty of Lausanne, signed on October 18, 1912, marked the official conclusion of the Italo-Turkish War, a conflict between the Kingdom of Italy and the Ottoman Empire. This treaty, also known as the Treaty of Ouchy, was negotiated in the Swiss city of Lausanne, effectively ending a war that had commenced on September 29, 1911.

Background

The Italo-Turkish War emerged primarily from Italy’s imperial ambitions to expand its territories in North Africa, specifically targeting the Ottoman provinces of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica, corresponding to modern-day Libya. The Italian government sought to bolster its standing as a colonial power, akin to other European nations, and viewed control of these regions as strategically beneficial.

Key Provisions of the Treaty

1. Cession of Territories: The Ottoman Empire ceded the territories of Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, and the Dodecanese Islands to Italy. These territories were effectively administered by Italy, although the Ottomans nominally retained sovereignty under the Sultan.

2. Withdrawal of Ottoman Troops: The treaty terms necessitated the withdrawal of all Ottoman military forces from Libya, effectively leaving the administration and control to the Italians.

3. Religious Rights: The agreement maintained certain protections for Muslim religious establishments and the personal property rights of the local Libyan population under Italian administration.

4. Normalization of Diplomatic Relations: Both countries agreed to restore full diplomatic relations, which had been disrupted due to the conflict.

Aftermath

The resolution provided by the Treaty of Lausanne allowed Italy to consolidate its hold on the territories while the Ottoman Empire, weakened by internal strife and external pressures, shifted focus to other urgent issues, including the looming Balkan Wars. For Italy, the acquisition of the Dodecanese Islands, although temporary, would be of strategic importance in the Aegean Sea region.

The conflict and its resolution were significant, illustrating the weakening grip of the Ottoman Empire over its territories and the shifting balance of colonial power during the early 20th century. The Treaty of Lausanne of 1912 should not be confused with the later Treaty of Lausanne signed in 1923, which redefined the borders of modern Turkey.