Four ships that changed history

The Ottoman Empire was economically, politically and militarily weak at the start of the 20th century. It had become known as the "sick old man of Europe." Though still the preeminent power in the Middle East its influence in Europe was all but gone. Even so Germany pushed hard to gain them as an ally, and France and Russia struggled to keep them out of the war. For all of the weakness of the Ottoman Empire could still play a crucial role in the conflict.

To begin with it had a population of about 20 million, so it could raise a sizable army if needed. But its population was less important that its geography. The Ottoman empire controlled the Turkish straits. Look at a map of Turkey and you will see a very narrow path of water leading from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean sea, these passages are the Turkish straits. In 1914 ninety percent of Russia's oceanic trade passed through these straits. If they could be closed, not only would it be a significant economic burden for Russia it would have severe military consequences for the Russian army. In 1914 Russia was not nearly as industrialized as most Western nations. It lacked the industrial capacity and technical expertise to manufacture many modern weapons on a large scale. So Russia imported much of its military hardware as it was cheaper then manufacturing it at home. If the Turkish straits could be closed, Russia would have a hard time keeping its massive armies supplied. Closing the straits would be simple enough. There where forts all along the strait and mines could be laid in water cheaply and easily. Any ship trying to pass would have to avoid mines while being shot at by the forts and since ships tend to sink faster than forts it would be a lopsided fight.

Furthermore the Ottoman Empire was in a position to threaten the Suez canal which could force supplies, troops and resources from British controlled India to go all the way around Africa to reach Europe, limiting India's role in the war.  

So the goal of Germany was to convince the Ottoman Empire join them in the war and close the straits to ships bound for Russia. In order to do this Germany promised the Ottoman Empire portions of Russian territory after the war was over, along with economic and technical assistance which the Ottoman Empire desperately needed. Additionally they were assured that the Ottoman Empire would be taken seriously in European affairs in a post-war Europe where German and Austria-Hungary, not France and Great Britain, were calling the shots.        

France, Great Britain and Russia work with the Ottoman Empire to convince them to stay neutral, but did not promise them much other than assurances that joining with German would be joining the losing side. The Ottoman Empire was slowly fading and plagued with many internal problem and it knew that German assists was really the only way to regain its standing as a world recognized power once again. Assists that would only if Germany won the war.

By mid August 1914 the Ottoman Empire was very much on the fence about joining with Germany. They had signed as secret agreement to assist Germany against Russia, but had been slow to honor it. In fact the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire had not signed the treaty, so even though the treaty was endorsed by the government so it was unclear to both the Ottomans and the Germans if the treaty was even binding on the Ottoman Empire.   

So the Ottoman Empire's entry into the war hung in the balance. Would stay out it out and play it safe excepting its decline as an international power? Or would it side with Germany to reap the rewards if Germany wins the war? In August 1914 the world and the Ottoman Empire did not know.

Then four ships come onto the stage. The first two ships are the German cruisers named the Goeben and the Breslau. These were two modern German warships that unfortunately found themselves in the Mediterranean at the outbreak of the war. Knowing it would be impossible to slip past both the French and the British navies and make it home to German ports, the two ships made a mad dash to the neutral Ottoman Empire. For days the ships played a cat and mouse game with the British navy. But on August 10, 1914 the ships successfully made it to Ottoman waters and in a clever move the German Empire gave these two ships to the Ottoman navy and on August 16, 1914 these two ships were handed over in a ceremony and renamed the Yavuz Sultan Selim and the Midilli. This raise the opinion of the German Empire among both the citizens and the government of the Ottoman Empire. This action was taken as a sign that Germany would keep its word in providing assistance in the future. At the same time Germany had saved its ships from destruction and bolstered the navy of its hoped for ally.

With Germany enjoying popularity in the Ottoman Empire two more ships come into the story. Great Britain was the largest producer of naval ships in the early 20th century. The Ottoman Empire ordered two battleships for purchase from Great Britain. Desperately needing modern ships the Ottoman Empire had financed  them with a specific public levy. The Ottoman Empire paid 6,000,000 British Pounds for the ships, over one billion US dollar in today's money. In August 1914 the Ottoman Empire was set to collect the newly finished ships, named the Reshadieh and Osman I. However, Great Britain had other plans. Worried about a conflict with the German navy and the possibility of the Ottoman Empire joining with Germany, Great Britain decide to keep the money and the ships, the British navy seized them on August 22, 1914, before they were turned over to Ottoman crews (already in England to crew the ships) and renaming them the Agincourt and the Erin. Great Britain offered the Ottoman Empire a small rental fee for the ships and promised to return them when the war ended (assuming they survived as they were to be used in combat). This infuriated the Ottoman government and cause a wave of anti-British sentiment in the nation.

In a period of eight days four modern warships had changed hands. Germany giving two to the Ottoman Empire and Great Britain taking two from the Ottoman Empire. The choice of if  Ottoman Empire should join with Germany had seemed so complex on August 15, 1914. It seemed much clearer on August 22, 1914. What a difference eight days and four ships can make.