American propaganda in Turkey as economic military and cultural warfare against Germany during the Second World War

Abstract

This thesis analyzes American propaganda in Turkey during the Second World War through the increasing economic, military and cultural relations between the two countries. Germany was very influential in Turkey’s economic, military and cultural development before the war. This kind of affiliation could have an influence in Turkey’s foreign policy. Turkish leaders, on the other hand, attached utmost importance to Turkey’s integrity and independence. They thought that entering the war would damage Turkey’s sovereignty. Therefore they wanted to keep Turkey out of war. When the war started Turkey wanted to limit Germany’s influence. For this reason Turkey turned to Britain and France which could not satisfy Turkey’s needs. iv America began to increase its economic, military and cultural relations with Turkey through Lend-Lease aid, chrome sales, sending military experts to and inviting students from Turkey, etc. The improvement of the relations between Turkey and America in those fields aimed to break Germany’s influence in Turkey, and to prevent Turkey’s entrance to the war on the side of the Axis. In this respect strengthening Turkey in the economic and military fields so that it could fight against the Axis forces was not the main aim. Therefore American efforts during the war should be analyzed as propaganda against German propaganda.