The Abolition of the Capitulations by the Ottoman Empire as Reflected in United States Diplomatic Documents

This article examines the reflection of the Ottoman Empire's unilateral abolition of the capitulations during the early months of the First World War in American diplomatic correspondence. The study is primarily based on official communications exchanged between Henry Morgenthau, the United States Ambassador to Istanbul, and William Jennings Bryan, the U.S. Secretary of State, between August 1914 and 29 October 1914. These documents are analyzed within the framework of historical methodology. The Sublime Porte regarded these privileges as concessions granted by the Sultan's will and thus subject to revocation, whereas the United States considered them rights acquired within the framework of international treaties. Nevertheless, the correspondence provides significant insights into the diplomatic atmosphere of the period and the approach of American diplomacy. Furthermore, this study aims to examine the Ottoman Empire's foreign policy orientations and its interactions with international actors during the period leading up to the First World War.

Journal

HISTORY STUDIES

Year

2026

Volume

18

Issue

1

Pages

167-192

ISSN

1309-4688

eISSN

1309-4173

DOI

10.9737/historystudies.1765681

WoS UID

WOS:001717954900003