Historical Context
The collapse and dissolution of the Ottoman Empire was a long and bitter affair, comprising revolutions, a disastrous world war and infighting.
Mehmed VI became the sultan just prior to the end of World War I and while the Ottomans were in the middle of exterminating the Armenian population. He would not last long. Months after his reign was proclaimed, Allied forces occupied Constantinople at the end of the war, and this awoke a Turkish national uprising led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
On 1 November 1922 the sultanate was abolished and Mehmed was expelled from the country - he is photographed above leaving his palace through the back door - where he would begin an exile in Italy that lasted until his death in 1926. Ataturk took over and formed the modern Turkish republic.
Photo Info
Photographer: Unknown
Location taken: Istanbul, Turkey
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Related Events
- 1918-07-04 The last Ottoman Sultan ascends the throne, Sultan Mehmed VI, who rules until the monarchy is abolished in 1922
- 1920-04-23 Turkish Grand National Assembly 1st meets in Ankara, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk denounces the government of Sultan Mehmed VI and announces a temporary constitution
- 1922-11-01 Mustafa Kemal Ataturk takes Constantinople from Mehmed VI, proclaiming the Republic of Turkey and bringing an end to the Ottoman Empire
- 1922-11-16 Ottoman Caliph, Sultan Mehmed VI asks the British army for help
- 1922-11-17 The last sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Mehmed VI, is expelled to Malta on a British warship
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