The 1923 Greco-Turkish Population Exchange

This thesis is a case study of the 1923 Greco-Turkish population exchange and asserts the compulsory expulsion effectively prevented genocide of Orthodox Christians living in Asia Minor. To support this argument historical evidence leading up to the exchange is presented and examined for specific genocide indicators. Contemporary terms and viewpoints of genocide and mass atrocities are used to assess the historical facts and support the hypothesis. The study further addresses the long term results of the exchange. This study is focused only on the events that support the thesis and does not examine wider sociological and historical context. It is by no means a comprehensive history of Greece and Turkey following World War I. Furthermore, it does not attempt to examine the logistics of the exchange but provides a broad understanding of the process. The thesis concludes the population exchange and the associated treaty ended the Greco-Turkish conflict and ensured a lasting peace in a relative volatile region. Although it violated individual rights and had deleterious effects on Greece's economy, it was necessary to prevent future mass atrocities and potential genocide.