University of Cambridge
Turkish-Italian Economic Relations in the Interwar Period (1919-1939)
Abstract
dc:description.abstractAdopting an approach that goes beyond state-to-state economic relations between Turkey and Italy, this dissertation examines the persistent Italian economic presence in Turkey in the interwar period, from the beginning of the Turkish Independence War in Anatolia in 1919 to the beginning of the Second World War in 1939. Exploring the relations from three main angles, namely, Italian concession hunting efforts in Turkey, the workings of Italian enterprises in Turkey, and the role of grassroots actors in the making of economic relations, this dissertation argues that economic interests were central to the functioning of Turkish-Italian relations in the interwar period, forming the strongest pillar of the bilateral relations in the 1920s and 1930s. The strong commercial, business and financial ties allowed Turkey to easily access Italian capital, which significantly aided its industrial and infrastructural development during a critical period of Ankara’s need for capital. For Italy, on the other hand, such relations, while profitable, provided an opportunity to exert influence in the Eastern Mediterranean, countering any potential British-French economic dominance in the region. The economic relations between Italy and the Turkish Republic were not driven solely by state policies but were significantly shaped by the pivotal roles of various actors – state officials, diplomats, local administrators, businessmen and intermediaries with various functions. Italy’s success lay in the ability of these diverse actors to navigate and adapt to Ankara’s evolving policies and mindset, leveraging a strong network of influence that aligned personal interests with the broader national goals of both countries. By emphasising the role of individuals, this study thus not only sheds light on the practical workings of economic relations but also reveals how state policies of Turkey and Italy were crafted and executed on the ground in a period of increasing state intervention in the economy in the interwar period.
Degree
thesis:*- Name dc:type.qualificationname
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Level dc:type.qualificationlevel
- Doctoral
- Grantor dc:publisher.institution
- University of Cambridge
- Year dc:date.issued
- 2024
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Dogar, Mehmet
- Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
-
- Fleet, Kate
Subjects
dc:subject × 5Rights
dc:rightsIdentifiers
dc:identifier.*- DOI dc:identifier.doi
- https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.118164
- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:www.repository.cam.ac.uk:1810/384007