AHC: U.S. Territory of Constantinople

Deleted member 97083

With a POD no earlier than 1775, how could the Ottoman capital city, Istanbul (called Kostantiniyye at the time) become permanent territory of the United States by 1950?

The territory doesn't have to be intended to be permanent when initially acquired, but perhaps a situation like WW2 and the Cold War, with a large ideologically opposed bloc, requires it to remain under direct administration.

Bonus points if Constantinople is eventually admitted into the Union as a state.
 
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Presumably, a good option would be WWI? After all, the Ottomans were fighting against the allies at that time.

Actually, a fun option would be the Constantinople Agreement. If the British Dardanelles Campaign was successful (due to the PoD), they had secretly agreed to hand over the city to the Russians. Russia keeps holds of the city for a while - but never manages to get a firm hold. During the chaos of WWII, Constantinople throws off the Russian government and establishes functionally a city-state. As the Cold War progresses, the US become involved in Constantinople (presumably, taking it rather than Turkey as their NATO ally in the area).

Only problem with that is, it certainly won't be a permanent territory by 1950. Even if the US government is forced to basically annex the city and turn it into one, that would surely be later than that date.
 
Many people dont realize due to the US's horrible lack of ability in writing accurate history textbooks (thanks alot Texas) that the Monroe Doctrine was the side effect of a speech Pres Monroe made regarding the Greek War of Independence. Monroe made it clear that the US (and individual Americans) must stay out of European matters. And "oh by the way the Americas are US sphere only and Europeans must not interfere"; which the British were already enforcing the "Europeans arent to reconquer Latin America" and were the ones pushing for the US to join that policy (an early open door policy by the British on Latin America).

So, if Monroe says- the US is going to get involved, does amazing diplomacy with France and Britain and Russia approaching ASB, it is possible to see a US Navy and Marine Corp return to the Mediterranean. This Expeditionary Force helps Greece win. Britain and France and Russia and the US create an international zone to buffer the new state, and on Russian insistence the Turkish capital is included, though the govt and Sulton is allowed to remain.

As the Balkan Wars proceed and the Turkish Empire shrinks, the 4 party zone becomes more and more separate from Turkey. *WWI happens, Russia pulls out of the zone due to losing to Germany and the resulting civil war. Already being in the area the US agrees to a mandate over Armenia. Britain and France leave the international zone because of their machinations over Sykes-Picot lying to different parties about how they are dividing the Middle East. Leaves the US over the buffer zone. Most of the buffer zone is given to Greece but demiliterized. Greek invasion of Turkey in 1920s cant happen and US is left with Istanbul and Straights Zone; Turkey cant invade Armenia and do the ethnic cleansing there because US mandate over Armenia and with US zone to the west.

Dont have time to speculate how this affects *WWII, could be Greece or more likely Turkey join Axis and use opportunity to seize Armenia, Syria, straights zone; Bulgaria and Italy could attempt as well. US entry into war could be sooner.
 
I'd be inclined to say a WW2 or Cold War PoD is best, but an unusual one? The Turks refuse to grant the US the Chester Concession. Instead, the US suggests the Greeks push for an independent Propontis. With Europe backing Greece, the US offers to provide troops to keep the peace and ensure neither Turkey nor Greece have political favor. Due to political incidents, the US Mandate is maintained, as both Greece and Turkey repeatedly break their sides of the agreement - either overtly or through Greek or Turkish militant groups.

As such, the territory, demanding democracy after so long, uses the UN and the US to secure US protection, but a special status as a US Protected Territory. This eventually leads to them forming a state of American speaking Greeks and Turks.

Odd as all hell, but there you go.
 
Eesh. Yeah, this one is really off the wall...

Best way I can see it is if, somehow, the Treat of Sevres manages to hold in most respects and the US joins the League of Nations (we're already talking a long shot and an even longer one). These can both be close equivalents. The Straits Zone becomes an international protectorate of sorts, but with the breakdown of Russia, more and more Entente troops, men, and material are based out of the straits to conduct operations in Crimea/Ukraine in order to support the Whites in Russia. This is also used as a base for American action in their mandate of Armenia (again, with the US joining the League) and Pontus (what the heck. It was too small OTL to even have a chance; that's why they merged with Armenia. But if we're going to go this far, let's have some fun) in order to help supply and expand the nation.

The French and British, their coffers and manpower depleted, eventually have to pull out. Their actions are somewhat successful, though, and a White state manages to be recovered in Kiev and most of the Baltic littoral. This, I see, is required, as the Soviet union might be enough to force the US out of Armenia de facto, with the Armenian republic being couped; a moderately strong Kiev government would distract them. Perhaps there is a Georgian republic/Azeri republic as well; that provides a cushion.

Of course, the American populace is very upset by all of this prolonged intervention overseas that seems to have no real purpose. There will be threats to pull out, as US troops and funds are being spent for no real gain. But the straits settlement, having gotten used to the fairly easy control (absent military zones) and dislike being turned into a warzone again. To satisfy all regards, the zone is eventually annexed and made an incorporated territory, providing an actual reason for the US to maintain operations in the region and keep it defended, as it is now US territory rather than international.

Now, I don't know how many loaded dice you'd need to make this work...
 
So - no Wilson presidency. U.S. under Roosevelt (or Taft) enters WWI earlier as an ally to UK, France and Russia. Constantinople is established as an Allied protectorate (in response to the breakup of the Ottomans) and ultimately evolves into true U.S. territory.

Piece of cake.
 
Best chance in my mind is some sort of Alt WWII and Constantinople is declared an international territory under US protection, but that has no snowballs change of hell of ever being integrated
 
So - no Wilson presidency. U.S. under Roosevelt (or Taft) enters WWI earlier as an ally to UK, France and Russia. Constantinople is established as an Allied protectorate (in response to the breakup of the Ottomans) and ultimately evolves into true U.S. territory.

Piece of cake.

I like it but you'd probably also have to throw Greece into chaos so that they're not calling for Constantinople's return and the city considers staying with the Americans the least worst option.
 
Baffled. Honestly, it's hard to conceive in anything more than an ephemeral flight of fancy for some euro-philic robber baron.
 
Well several, including myself, showed with a legitimate PoD how it is possible

True enough, though IMO your tip makes more sense than your stay. Your version seems to have a much more sedate British...not to mention French/Central...empire than I can envision in the circumstances. I think Istanbul is not the hill the US would choose to die on, but I can't see the Europowers just sitting by and letting an interloper, however allied, strangle the Bosphorus. Even if we accept the relief they envision in the buffer, what do the Americans possibly get out of it excepting an earlier tete a tete with the Russians? I can see it happening a la British Palestine...but sustaining? It seems freakishly improbable, though you have performed Herculean feats to get me thus far.
 
True enough, though IMO your tip makes more sense than your stay. Your version seems to have a much more sedate British...not to mention French/Central...empire than I can envision in the circumstances. I think Istanbul is not the hill the US would choose to die on, but I can't see the Europowers just sitting by and letting an interloper, however allied, strangle the Bosphorus. Even if we accept the relief they envision in the buffer, what do the Americans possibly get out of it excepting an earlier tete a tete with the Russians? I can see it happening a la British Palestine...but sustaining? It seems freakishly improbable, though you have performed Herculean feats to get me thus far.
Hmmm, let me think and refine and perhaps I can fill the holes you pointed out. Or perhaps it just isnt possible.
 
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