Enver Pasha’s Approach to Germany and His Relations with the Germans from a German Perspective under the Shadow of “Enverland” Debates
Enver Pasha, who held critical positions such as Minister of War, Chief of the General Staff, and Deputy Commander-in-Chief, remains a controversial figure in Turkish historiography due to his stance toward Germany -Ottoman Empire’s ally during World War I- and his relations with German authorities. This article explores how German sources actually portrayed Enver Pasha’s approach to Germany and examines the origins and intended meaning of the term “Enverland.” The study primarily draws on reports and memoirs of German commanders and diplomats who served during the war. German military and diplomatic figures who worked closely with Enver Pasha consistently describe him as a loyal ally and a committed supporter of the German-Ottoman alliance. They also highlight his patriotism and nationalism. According to these sources, his proGerman stance was driven by his belief that aligning with Germany - whom he expected to win the war - best served the realpolitik interests of the Ottoman state and nation. These firsthand accounts suggest that the prevailing Turkish narrative portraying Enver Pasha’s orientation as naïve Germanophilia should be reconsidered. The study also reveals that the meaning of “Enverland” remains ambiguous in German usage and has been exaggerated and misinterpreted by some circles over time.
“Enverland” Tartışmaları Gölgesinde Almanların Gözüyle Enver Paşa’nın Almanya’ya Yaklaşımı ve Almanlarla İlişkileri
Harbiye Nâzırlığı, Erkân-ı Harbiye Reisliği ve Başkomutan Vekilliği gibi önemli görevleri uhdesinde bulunduran Enver Paşa’nın Birinci Dünya Savaşı esnasında Osmanlı’nın müttefiki Almanya’ya yaklaşımı ve Almanlarla olan ilişkileri Türk tarihçiliğinin tartışmalı konuları arasında yer almaktadır. Enver Paşa’nın Almanya’ya yaklaşımının ve Almanlarla ilişkilerinin Alman kaynaklarında gerçekte nasıl anlatıldığı, ayrıca “Enverland” ifadesinin kimler tarafından kullanılmaya başlandığı bu makalede ele alınan konular arasındadır. Çalışmada, savaş yıllarında görev yapan Alman komutanların ve diplomatların raporlarına ve hatıralarına ağırlıklı olarak müracaat edilmiştir. Birinci Dünya Savaşı süresince Enver Paşa ile görev yapan ve kendisini bizzat tanıyan Alman askerî ve diplomatik zevât, onun Almanya’ya dost ve ittifaka sonuna kadar sâdık kaldığını ortak bir kanaat olarak belirtmektedir. Aynı zamanda Paşa’nın vatanperver ve milliyetçi bir komutan olduğunun altı ortak bir kanaat olarak çizilmektedir. Enver Paşa’nın, Almanya yanlısı hareket etmesinin nedenini ise Osmanlı Devleti’nin ve milletinin reel-politik menfaatini, bu savaşı kazanacağına inandığı Almanya’nın yanında görmesiyle açıklamaktadırlar. Birinci ağızdan Almanların bu izahları, Türk tarihçileri arasında hâkim olan Enver Paşa hakkındaki tek taraflı ve duygusal Alman hayranlığı iddialarının ve yorumlarının gözden geçirilmesi gerektiği anlamına gelmektedir. Yine “Enverland” ifadesinin de aslında Almanlar tarafından tam olarak hangi anlamda kullanıldığının ortaya konulamadığı ve bazı çevrelerce bu iddianın bağlamından kopartılarak fazlaca abartılı bir şekilde gündemde tutulduğu bu çalışma kapsamında ortaya çıkan sonuçlardandır.
As discussed in the sections of this study, there are numerous claims and interpretations in German sources regarding the role of Ismail Enver Pasha in various key events, such as the signing of the Turkish-German Military Alliance, the Ottoman Empire’s entry into World War I alongside Germany, the opening of the fronts, and the relations between the Ottoman Empire and Germany. In these sources, a common view emerges: Enver Pasha is often described as a highly influential figure in shaping the developments of the First World War (1914-1918). He is frequently depicted as Germany’s most “reliable,” “friendly,” and “loyal” ally in Türkiye. Furthermore, he is often portrayed as the central figure on the Turkish side in both the execution and maintenance of the military alliance throughout the war
Despite these claims, it becomes evident that Enver Pasha’s “German sympathies” were not the primary driving force behind his approach to Germany or his relations with German commanders and officers serving in the Ottoman Army. Enver Pasha’s preference for Germany as an ally and the subsequent decisions he made are often explained by his focus on the political and military interests of the Ottoman Empire. He viewed aligning with Germany as beneficial to Türkiye’s strategic objectives within the framework of realpolitik. The military and strategic benefits that Türkiye hoped to gain from an alliance with Germany are central to this rationale. Personal German sympathies are not cited in the sources as a determining factor in this context. In fact, even after the signing of the military alliance with Germany, Enver Pasha’s secret negotiations with Russia and his pursuit of a potential alliance with them serve as an evidence of his strategic mindset. This diplomatic maneuver underscores his pragmatic approach to international relations, rather than being driven by personal affinity. Furthermore, tensions with German officers such as Liman von Sanders, as well as the armed conflict between Turkish and German forces in Azerbaijan towards the end of the war, provide concrete examples of these strategic disagreements, demonstrating Enver Pasha’s complex and pragmatic foreign policy approach.
It is more appropriate to assess Enver Pasha’s role in the German alliance, the nation’s entry into the First World War on Germany’s side, and his relations with the Germans during the subsequent four years, by considering the broader context of the Ottoman Empire’s situation. The prolonged weakness of the Ottoman Empire, the rising power of Germany, the anti-Ottoman diplomacy pursued by Russia and Britain prior to the war, and, crucially, the consistent rejection of the Ottoman Empire’s alliance proposals by the Entente Powers all shaped the framework for TurkishGerman cooperation during the First World War. This context resulted in Germany becoming a much more dominant and decisive force in its relations with the Ottoman Empire. The determination of the fronts on which the Ottoman Army fought should also be understood within this broader context. Enver Pasha, fully aware of both Türkiye’s vulnerable position and Germany’s power, sought to preserve and strengthen relations with Germany throughout the challenging years of 1914 to 1918.
Given this context, it is inconsistent to explain Enver Pasha’s preference for Germany purely as a result of personal admiration. This prevailing interpretation is closely tied to the political and conjunctural shifts that emerged after the loss of the First World War. Therefore, this perspective must be revised in light of a more nuanced understanding of the geopolitical realities of the time.
