REFLECTION OF REALPOLITIK TO TURKISH-GERMAN RELATIONS: RETURN OF GERMANS TO THEIR COUNTRY AND DISABLING THE REST IN TURKEY (1944-1945)

Abstract

During World War II, Turkey maintained an equilibrium policy to stay out of the war. Since the war had ended in favor of the Allies, some pressure was put on Turkey to participate in it. In these conditions, Turkey stopped exporting chrome to Germany, and then eventually cut off diplomatic relations with Germany. First the German ambassador, then some diplomats, and finally German nationals left Turkey. At this time, some German citizens appealed to the Turkish authorities to stay in Turkey. They were interned in some cities of Anatolia. After a while, some German diplomats who could not have be interchanged with Turkish diplomats joined this group. The internment period ended after circumstances changed at the end of the War (December 1945), and the Germans were released to go wherever they wanted.