A Historical Overview 1896-1915 Armenian Genocide A Historical Overview 1896-1915

Hamidian Massacres, 1894-1896 When Armenians protests violently broken by Ottoman police two year massacre known as the Hamidian Massacres 100–300,000 Armenians killed This also earned Abdul Hamid II, the nickname the “Bloody Sultan.”

The Collapse of the Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire continues to weaken discontent with Abdu Hamid’s rule continues to grow Turkish nationalists believe that Ottoman Empire is weak because of its multi-ethnic character growth of an anti- Hamid movement of Turkish military officers The “Young Turks”

The “Young Turk” Triumvirate From left to right: Ismail Enver, military officer, minister of war, German-inspired, sentenced to death, killed Talaat Pasha (Mehmed Talaat): born in Balkans, former telegraph operator, Minister of Interior; ordered deportations, sentenced to death, assassinated Ahmet Djemal: military officer, Minister of Navy, advocate of Pan-Turanism and anti-Armenian, sentenced to death, assassinated -all three fled to Germany after WW I Talaat Pasha, Minister of the Interior Ismail Enver, Minister of War Ahmet Djemal, Minister of the Navy

1908: Revolution Young Turks overthrow Sultan Hamid’s government establish a Constitutional Monarchy new governing party, the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP) Armenians hope CUP would change their second-class status BUT CUP is pro-Turk, anti-diversity; believes Ottoman Empire can be made great again by making the entire country a homogeneous Turkish ethnic state

“Turkification” : 1913 CUP policy to “encourage” non-Turkish citizens to convert to Islam and become “more Turkish” Christian Armenians particularly targeted some convert but many Armenians refuse Armenians work to preserve their cultural identity through education

On the eve of World War I CUP regards Armenian community with distrust and suspicion Armenian Christians have more in common with Christian Europeans (esp. Russia) Aug. 1914: War breaks out in Europe between the Triple Entente (Br., Fr., Russ.) and the Central Powers (Ger., A-H, Italy) By 1915, Ottoman Empire joins the Central Powers (esp. Russia) Russian army has a contingent of Armenian volunteers. Although the Russian army succeeded in gaining most of Ottoman Armenia during World War I, their gains were lost with the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917.

Someone to BLAME Pre-1914 Christian Armenians make an easy scapegoat for the ills of the Ottoman Empire War is a convenient excuse to justify a crackdown on “resistance” to Turkification within the Empire January 1915: “forced Turkification” begins

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 murders reached 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 -not modernizing like the rest of Europe -Armenians have many rules against them -eg. Not allowed to carry weapons, not allowed to testify against Muslims -Armenians (who are Orthodox Christians) hopes are raised when they see other Christian nations getting independence at the Turn of the Century -they appeal to the Czar to help them too -Turkey does not like foreign intervention, especially from Russia

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. Choose to move out Armenians (deportations) but they do it in a way that made it unlikely Armenians would survive.

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