Armenian Genocide

Armenian Genocide

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The Armenian Genocide was the systematic mass murder and expulsion of 1.5 million ethnic Armenians carried out in Turkey and adjoining regions by the Ottoman government during World War I and the following years. The genocide was implemented in two phases: the wholesale killing of the able-bodied male population through massacre and subjection of army conscripts to forced labor, followed by the deportation of women, children, the elderly, and the infirm on death marches leading to the Syrian desert. Driven forward by an ideology of Turkish nationalism and the threat perceived by the Ottoman government from the Armenian population, the entire campaign was characterized by widespread massacres, forced marches, and starvation.

Background

The Armenians, an ethnic group concentrated primarily in the eastern provinces of the Ottoman Empire, had a distinct culture and religion from their Turkish neighbors. Tensions rose significantly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as the Ottoman Empire declined. The Armenians were subject to periodic massacres and had been pressing the government for better protection and civil reforms. The situation escalated during World War I, when the Ottomans entered the war on the side of the Central Powers and feared that the Armenians would support the opposing Allied Forces.

Events of 1915-1923

On April 24, 1915, known as Red Sunday, hundreds of Armenian intellectuals and community leaders were arrested in Constantinople (now Istanbul) and later executed. This marked the beginning of the Armenian Genocide. The Ottoman government embarked on a plan to deport the Armenian population to the deserts of Syria and Mesopotamia. During the deportations, Armenians were subjected to rape, torture, and murder. Many died from disease or starvation. The majority of the Armenian population of Anatolia and surrounding regions was eliminated by the end of the war.

International Response

The response of the international community during the events was limited, although news of the massacres was widely reported in the press and strongly condemned by some Western countries and organizations. However, geopolitical interests often prevented countries from taking strong action against the Ottoman Empire.

Legacy and Recognition

The legacy of the Armenian Genocide has a significant impact on Armenian identity and the relations between Turkey and Armenia today. Many countries and states have formally recognized the events as genocide, although Turkey disputes the use of the term, arguing that the deaths were part of the broader chaos of World War I and that both Turks and Armenians were victims of the same tragedy.

See Also

• World War I
• History of Armenia
• Ottoman Empire