National Pact (Misak-ı Millî)

The National Pact (Misak-ı Millî) was a set of principles declared in 1919 by Turkish leaders to define Turkey’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty after the Ottoman Empire’s defeat in World War I. It emphasized the unity of different regions and peoples within Turkey’s borders, advocating for the independence of Turkish lands and the rejection of partitioning plans by foreign powers. The Pact served as a foundational national agreement, guiding Turkey’s efforts to establish its independence and shape its modern boundaries during the Turkish War of Independence.