Why didn't Turkey join the Axis in World War II?

A lot of people point out that Turkey had no incentive to join either side during the War. That's true. read more

Avoiding the destruction of the Second World War was the smartest thing that modern Turkey ever did. Basically the new Turkish leadership had learnt its lesson from the First World War, during which the faction in support of war took control of the Empire, leading to the deaths and expulsion of millions of citizens. read more

Turkey was neutral in World War II in the sense that it didn't fight, but the side it took was obvious. read more

Well technically Turkey didn't. Through much of the war, Turkey was trading with both sides, and actually signed a non-Aggression pact with Germany just prior to Barbarossa, but relations deteriorated with the Axis, and Turkey declared war in February, 1945. Both sides were pretty much OK with Turkey's neutrality early on. read more