Prompt Cast
The Rise and Fall of Smyrna: A Cosmopolitan City Destroyed in 1922
TLDR Smyrna, a diverse and prosperous city in early 20th century Turkey, was destroyed in 1922. The city's governor, Rahmi Bey, protected the Greek and Armenian communities during World War I, but tensions between Greeks and Turks escalated when a fleet of Greek troops landed in Smyrna, leading to violence and revenge attacks. Eventually, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk formed his own army and successfully fought against the Greeks, marking a turning point in the struggle for Asia Minor.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
This episode will focus on the city of Smyrna and its significance in the Greek-Turkish war and the rise of Ataturk, providing crucial insight into the history of Turkey today.
04:56
Smyrna, now known as Izmir, was a cosmopolitan and wealthy city on the west coast of Turkey in the early 20th century, with a diverse population and a thriving economy, but it was ultimately destroyed in 1922.
09:29
Smyrna was a unique and cosmopolitan city where different communities intermingled, with social activities, intermarriage, and an interplay between different nationalities, creating a rich and diverse environment.
14:00
The governor of Smyrna, Rahmi Bey, was a complex and interesting individual who governed a city with a diverse mixture of nationalities, including a large Greek population, and he worked to protect the Armenian and Greek communities during the First World War despite the propaganda and tensions surrounding them.
18:31
Rahmi Bey, the governor of Smyrna, protected the Greek and Armenian communities in the city during the First World War and managed to keep the city relatively untouched by the war, even as Gallipoli was happening nearby.
22:55
At the Paris Peace Conference, Venizelos presents the idea of creating a greater Greece by reuniting the Greek communities in Asia Minor, appealing to the classical Greek heritage of the region and charming leaders like Lloyd George, who is already predisposed to give him what he wants.
27:10
In the spring of 1919, the peacemakers in Paris give the go-ahead for Venizelos to send a fleet of ships with 20,000 Greek troops to land in Smyrna, causing jubilation among the Greek community and tensions among the Turks, leading to an almighty gun battle.
31:30
The Greek landing in Smyrna results in a disaster with numerous people killed, violent revenge attacks, public lynchings, and overwhelming violence against the Turks, until an almighty thunderstorm brings it to an end.
35:52
Ataturk goes to Anatolia to quell unrest but instead decides to form his own army to fight against the Greeks, inspiring confidence and becoming the natural leader of the nationalist movement, while the British initially underestimate him.
40:28
The Greek army, despite being bankrolled by the Western powers, faces difficulties in their advance into Anatolia due to attacks by Turkish forces and the lack of supplies and support, while Ataturk strategically attacks their supply lines and weak points, causing the Greek army to struggle in hostile terrain.
45:06
Ataturk strategically waits for the Greek army to be worn down and run out of supplies before delivering a final blow and achieving a fantastic victory over them, marking a turning point in the struggle for Asia Minor.
Categories:
History
