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This article explores the history of the Armenian people, from ancient times to the Ottoman Empire, culminating in the genocide of 1915. It examines the geopolitical issues, nationalist movements, and xenophobia that led to the systematic extermination of the Armenian population. The article also questions the lack of global response to this atrocity and discusses the reasons behind it.
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The Armenians Genocide In the Shadow of War
Ancient Armenia Crossroads Buffer State Christian in 301 CE Unique alphabet Medieval Armenia Byzantine 1045 Turkish conquest 1370s Ottoman Turks 1400s Ottoman Armenia Armenian Millet Armenian Church leads Autonomy High taxes, but loyal… Armenia: Nation In Flux
Armenia: Geopolitical Issues Napoleonic War (Egypt) >Tanzimat Era Reform + Greeks + Balkans fight for independence + Crimean War realities = Ottoman retrenchment & survival mindset Reform or repress? OE chooses repression
Armenian Response to Repression • Armenian Self-Defense Movement: • Union of Salvation 1872 • Black Cross Society 1878 • Armenakan Party 1885 • OE views these as threats to OE rule…
OE >> Young Turk Rule Hamidian Massacres 1890s = Xenophobia Young Turks 1889 >> CUP >> 1908 Coup Liberalism v. Nationalism Adana Massacres 1909 Balkan Wars (1912-13) > Enver Pasha Coup Young Turk Dictatorship Pan-Turkism + Turkification >> Anti-Armenianism
WWI >> Genocide • Armenian leaders appeal for OE neutrality • OE joins Central Powers… geopolitics! • Armenians join OE army • OE fails in Sarkamish Campaign 12/1914 • Scapegoat? Armenian collusion w/ R? • “Special Organization” formed… • Armenian soldiers disarmed…. 2/1915
Genocide: Systematic & Intentional Extermination • Armenian removed from civil service 3/1915 • Special Organization battalions kill civilians • Deportation, Starvation, Murder 3/1915 • Intellectuals, leaders arrested, imprisoned, murdered 4/1915 • Deportation Committee > Death marches & Mass executions 5/1915 • Failed resistance in Van, etc 5-10/1915
Genocide Q Genocide = intentional and systematic plan to execute and eliminate an entire people group Geopolitics + Jingoism + Xenophobia = Recipe for genocide Given the news and situation… What, if any, global response should have occurred? Justify.