The Prestige Factor in Turkish-British Relations (1923-1938)

Abstract

In this article Turkish-British relations between 1923 and 1939 are examined within the context of the factor of prestige. Despite the attempts of Britain, which saw prestige as vital for the protection and increase of its international influence, to prevent the rise of international respect for Turkey, the Republican regime and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who came to be its symbol, and to limit the influence of Turkey in the international arena, the revolutionary changes in Turkey, Turkey's constructive and peaceful approach in its international relations and its independence increased its prestige throughout the world and in particular in the British colonies. This was in turn used successfully to force Britain to change its policy of isolating and excluding Turkey.