Armenian Genocide

Armenian Genocide A Historical Overview

Who are the Armenian People • Armenian people or Armenians are an ethnic group native to the Caucasus and the Armenian Highland.

Armenian History and Religion • In the early days of Christianity, Armenia was the first state to embrace Christianity • i.e. King converted →so did everyone else • Armenia was surrounded by non-Christians

The 19th Century • Armenian community became more educated, wealthier and more urban • This change challenged the social hierarchy

What is the Ottoman Empire? • It was a Turkish empire that lasted from 1299to1923.

What Is the OttOman Empire Continued • The Ottoman Empire is a very ancient one and because it is located exactly in the middle, between EAST (Asia) and WEST (Europe), it held a very strategic position in the world. • Armenians occupied the Highlands of Northern Mesopotamia, along the SILK route from Asia to Europe.

On this map, you can see the variations in the Ottoman Empire from 1798 to 1923. There is little doubt that rivalry with Europe was a dominant motive in Ottoman expansion but a religious element was also present. That element was the desire to extend Islamic rule throughout the world. Indeed, it was not altogether inappropriate that the word 'Turk' and 'Muslim' then became synonymous in Europe. The Ottomans saw themselves first and foremost as Muslims, not as members of a particular ethnic group.

What Rights did Armenians Have When They Lived as Subjects of the Ottoman Empire? • 70% of the Armenian population – lived in poor and dangerous conditions in the rural countryside • There, the Armenians were subject to the whims of their Turkish and Kurdish neighbors • They were often: overtaxed, robbed, kidnapped, and forced to convert to Islam

Armenians as Second Class Citizens • Christians were also not equal to Muslims under the law • Testimony by Christians against Muslims was inadmissible in court • Armenians were not allowed to carry weapons • Their houses could not even overlook Muslims

Rise of Discontent… • In the mid-1860s and early 1870s a intellectual class emerged among Armenian society who began to question the Armenians status as second class citizens • These groups had support from Great Britain, Russia and France, who pressured the Ottoman Empire to extend equal rights to all citizens

Hamidiye? • In 1890 the Ottoman leader Sultan Abdul Hamid II, decided to put a stop to the Armenian revolutionary movement • Hamid II created a paramilitary outfit known as the Hamidiye, which was made up of Kurdish prisoners who were told they should "deal with the Armenians as they wished.“ • Russia, France and Great Britain then forced Hamid to sign a reform package to stop the Hamidiye, however, the Sultan never followed through

Hamidian Massacres • When Armenians protested Ottoman police violently broke the protest • This ended in a two year massacre known as the Hamidian Massacres where 100–300,000 Armenians were killed • This also earned Abdul Hamid II, the nickname the “Bloody Sultan.”

The Collapse of the Ottoman Empire • As the Ottoman Empire began to collapse, the Young Turk Revolution (1908) overthrew the government of Sultan Hamid. • Established a Constitutional Monarchy • Armenians living in the empire hoped that the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP) would change their second-class status.

The Young Turk Triumvirate

“Turkification” : 1913 • an extremist branch of the Young Turks, the Committee of Union and Progress (the CUP) seized control of the government. • Introduced a policy of Turkification, encouraging non-Turkish citizens to convert to Islam and become more Turkish. • Christian Armenians particularly targeted by this policy. • Some converted but many refused. • Instead worked to preserve their cultural identity through education.

On the eve of World War I • The new government looked on the Armenian community with distrust and suspicion. • The Ottoman Empire was at War with the Triple Entente • Russian army has a contingent of Armenian volunteers.

Someone to BLAME • When the Ottoman Empire began to collapse, the Christian Armenian Empire was an easy scape goat • January 1915, forced Turkification began. • To limit resistance, the CUP targeted the Armenian population in phases, removing those most likely to resist.

Stages of Persecution • First, young Armenian men in the army were assigned to hard labour in remote areas and executed. • Second, on the night of April 24, intellectuals and community leaders were arrested and deported to the countryside, where they were later executed. • In commemoration, Armenian communities around the world today observe April 24 as Red Sunday.

The Teshikilati Mahsusa • In May, (third) the remaining Armenian population was deported. • transported by train and foot to concentration camps in the Syrian desert. • Supervised by the Teshikilati Mahsusa– the Special Organization - a unit of the Turkish army made up of criminals released from prison for the purpose of handling the Armenian deportees. • The members of this unit were notorious for their brutality. • Estimated that one million Armenians were killed in, and on their way to, the camps – approximately half of the pre-war population.

Stages of Persecution • First, young Armenian men in the army were assigned to hard labour in remote areas and executed. • Second, on the night of April 24, intellectuals and community leaders were arrested and deported to the countryside, where they were later executed. • In commemoration, Armenian communities around the world today observe April 24 as Red Sunday.

“Mass Murders” • Reports of the mass murdersreached Western nations. • These governments ignored calls for action. • World War I was being fought on many fronts and other battles were of more immediate concern. • British and American governments issued official condemnations against the CUP regime. • American humanitarian organizations raised funds in support of the “starving Armenians”.

Why did this happen? A. Every society has INEQUALITY • This society’s was ethnicity and religion • Ottoman Empire is a Muslim Theocracy • Armenians were subjects not citizens • Subject’s role = OBEY • They were non-believers of the “true faith” • The Empire is falling apart and look for some group to blame

Why? Cont….. • Ottoman Empire is collapsing • Nationalism could be the answer for them. • Think that they might build a modern new nation in Asia with Turkish nationalism. • BUT the Armenians are there, on the eastern edge of the country—need to get rid of them and confiscate their land. • Want to make a Turkey that is more homogeneous.

Why? Cont….. • Young Turks Military Coup • Smaller acts of violence early on are not punished. • Later acts of violence continue and escalate. • Turkey enters WW I against Russia (half of Armenians fighting for Czar; half fighting for Turkey. • Turkey loses every battle: look for someone to blame: The Armenians.

Why? Cont….. • Under Cover of War • Planned early in year by CUP officials • Easier to do terrible deeds and keep it a secret: censorship. • Secret coded messages are used between CUP officials vs. Government (this permits gov’t some deniability) • Turks are being encouraged by their allies to be more “efficient” in warfare. • On April 25, 1915, the Allies land at Gallipoli. • On April 28, 1915, CUP secret decrees call for deportations and massacres of Armenians.

Results • In May of 1915, hundreds of thousands of Armenians go into involuntary exile. • Starvation, dehydration, disease, atrocities and mass killings. • 1 to 1.5 million Armenians killed between 1915 and 1923. • May 24, 1915: Western Allies declare “crimes of Turkey against humanity and civilization”. • See HAND OUT: Statistics

Results Cont… • Armenian lands, goods, money and animals confiscated (told they would be reimbursed) • Forced marches in the desert • No water, food, shelter • Not protected from marauding gangs • Women raped • Mutilation before or after death • Bodies abandoned to wild animals • Some young girls taken into Muslim homes: forced conversion

Armenian Genocide