Abstract:

In this study, the dimensions of the relations between the Republic of Turkey and Bulgaria between the years 1923-1930 are assessed by reference to the archive documents and through the Hükemiyet-i Millliye newspaper. The sympathy to the National Struggle in Bulgaria, which was defeated by World War I, has prepared the ground for good relations between the two countries. Although the words and policies of the radical nationalists who came to power after the Bulgarian Farmers' Party's military coup was met with doubt, mutual uncertainty was overcome and a "Friendship Treaty" was signed between the two countries in 1925. Despite the treaty, the problems arising from recent events between the two states and the two peoples have sometimes shown themselves. In 1929, the two countries signed a Treaty on Discipline, Reconciliation, Justice and Arbitration. Nevertheless, by the end of the 1920s, the determination of Turkey’s international policy on the side of the statute, as well as the approaching of Bulgaria with Italy to the revisionist block, has led to a disruption in relations with the other Balkan states with Turkey’s incompatible interests. The nature of the political and diplomatic relations between Turkey and Bulgaria has also affected the economic, social and cultural relations. As a source that produces and reflects public perception, the press provides detailed data in order to understand the relations between the two countries. Keywords: Republic of Turkey, Bulgaria, diplomatic relations, Hamas-i Millions newspaper TURKISH - BULGARIAN RELATIONS IN THE EARLY REPUBLICAN ERA ACCORDING TO THE Hamas-i Millions NEWSPAPER (1923-1930) ABSTRACT In this study, the reflections of the relations between the Republic of Turkey and Bulgaria between the years of 1923-1930 are evaluated from the Hamas-i Millions newspaper also with reference to archive documents. The sympathy towards the Turkish National Struggle in Bulgaria which was defeated in the First World War has paved the way for better relations between the two countries. Although the radical nationalists' rhetoric and policies have been met with suspect in Turkey after the military coup that overthrown the Bulgarian Farmer's Party from the power, it was succeeded in overcoming the mutual distrust and a "Friendship Treaty" was signed between two countries in 1925. Despite the agreement, the problems arising from the recent past events between the two states and two societies occasionally showed themselves. The Treaty of Neutrality, Conciliation, Judicial Settlement and Arbitration was signed between the two states in 1929. However, coming to the end of the 1920s, Turkey's determination of its international politics in favor of the status quo and while Bulgaria was approaching to the revisionist block with Italy, Turkey's approach strategy with the other Balkan states whose interests are irreconcilable with the interests of Bulgaria, caused a deterioration in relations. The nature of the political and diplomatic relations between Turkey and Bulgaria also affected economic, social and cultural relations. The press, which is producing and also reflecting and emitting public perception, provides detailed data to understand the relationship between the two countries. Keywords: The Republic of Turkey, Bulgaria, diplomatic relations, the Republic of Turkey

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