Q&A · 3:41:43-3:41:59

Who might have received Constantinople after a successful Dardanelles campaign?

Russia is considered an unlikely recipient of Constantinople, with Greece more plausible, while the immediate aim was to keep Russia in the war.

Question

If the Dardanelles campaign had succeeded, would Britain have given Constantinople to Russia or Greece?

Short answer

Russia is considered unlikely to receive it, with Greece more plausible; the immediate strategic purpose was to help keep Russia in the war.

Notes

Greece is suggested as the more likely recipient of Constantinople in this counterfactual, while transfer to Russia is doubted. The immediate strategic priority was to keep Russia in the war. The proposed eventual settlement and the wartime purpose of forcing the straits are separate questions.