On American Perception in Türkiye Historically — Part 1 (1923–1950)
Americanism or anti-Americanism, US sympathies or hostility. Turkish people’s perspective on the USA and Americans has undergone various changes throughout history. There are sharp differences between today’s perception of the United States and 70 years ago. There have been many events between Turkey and the USA since 1923, and all these events played an important role in shaping the public’s perspective on the USA. First of all, I would like to examine the period from the first years of the republic to the transition to multi-party life, which is called the “single party period”. I will try to summarize the relations between Türkiye and the USA from 1923 to 1950 and the USA in the minds of the public.
First, I would like to talk about the first relations between the two countries. With the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, diplomatic relations between Türkiye and the USA officially began. During this period, relations focused on diplomatic recognition and economic cooperation. As a result of the Turkish people winning the struggle for independence and expelling the Allied powers from Anatolia, the environment for the Treaty of Lausanne was achieved. In the first years of the Republic, the Turkish government, which acted with the effort to get along well and live in peace with every state, also tried to get along and cooperate with the USA. Embassies were established in both countries in 1927. In the 1930s, trade between the two countries was limited because they were too far apart, but the United States tried to increase its influence in Turkey through educational and cultural cooperation. American colleges and hospitals in particular played an important role in this period. The USA wanted to create areas that would keep its own models alive in Turkey, and it was successful.
Particularly, the USA’s increasing importance to Turkey started with the Second World War. During World War II, Türkiye remained neutral for a long time, but joined the Allied Powers towards the end of the war. During this period, the USA realized the strategic importance of Turkey and relations became even stronger. After the war, relations between the two countries evolved to a different dimension because the most developed and equipped country in the world was no longer just the USA. The threat of the Soviet Union and Communism was perceived as a major threat to US interests in the region. With the end of the war in 1945, Turkey began to seek US support against the Soviet threat, and the US was already willing to provide this support because Turkey had a very important geopolitical position and was located very close to the Soviets. After 1945, Türkiye-US relations began to take shape against Communism. During and after Atatürk’s era, Turkish people’s perception of the USA was sometimes shaped around the concept of “American imperialism”. This perception became more evident especially during the Cold War years.
So, what did the USA and Americans mean to the Turkish people during this period?
Cultural and educational institutions in Turkey, such as American colleges and hospitals, have fostered curiosity and respect for the American lifestyle and education system. The Truman Doctrine and the USA’s support to Turkey against the Soviet threat increased the Turkish people’s trust in the USA. In general, the perspective on the USA during this period was quite positive because the USA appeared to be a state that struggled for world peace and existed to ensure peace. The USA was a good ally for the Turkish people until later events radically changed this perspective.
Although initially there was a positive attitude towards the USA within the framework of Turkey’s modernization and integration efforts with the West, the USA’s interventionist attitude in foreign policy and military strategies led to increased criticism of American imperialism in some segments of the Turkish people. Turkey’s sensitivity to independence and sovereignty has led to a cautious stance against foreign intervention. The period when the relations between Turkey and the USA were at their best was exactly when the single-party period ended and the Democratic Party came to power. Under the leadership of the Democratic Party and Adnan Menderes, Turkey would become a border state under US control and the most important ally of the US in the region. Turkish people were introduced to US products and lifestyle. Turkish politics encountered US-style political tendencies and the process that would continue until today began to take shape. In Part Two, I will try to summarize the Democratic Party period.
