Treaty of Lausanne

24 July 1923 · Lausanne, Switzerland

Europe & world wars

Background

The Treaty of Sèvres (1920) would have broken up Anatolia. After the Turkish War of Independence led by Mustafa Kemal, Turkey negotiated a new treaty (its delegation was led by İsmet İnönü) that recognized Turkish rule over Anatolia and Eastern Thrace, ended foreign legal privileges (capitulations) and arranged a population exchange between Greece and Turkey.

Signed by

Turkey and the Allied Powers

Why it matters

Replaced the Treaty of Sèvres (1920) and recognized the borders of the modern Republic of Turkey, founded later that year by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.