Armenians in Turkey

Question 1

Background?

History

Answer 1

• For centuries, eastern Anatolia occupied by Christian Armenians
• Area ruled by succession of Armenian dynasties
• 15&16th Century, region secured by the Ottomans and integrated into the Empire

Question 2

1800s

Political development

Answer 2

• Ottomans were muslims, allowed religious minorities some autonomy
• Armenians treated to unequal treatment
• However, they thrived under Ottoman rule, better education than Turk, causing resentment
• End of 19th century - ‘First Armenian Massacre’

Question 3

1908

Answer 3

• Young Turks come into power
• Armenians hopeful of equality in this new state but young turks wanted to “Turkify” the empire

Question 4

1914

Answer 4

• Turks join Germany in ww1
• Claim Armenians are traitors that would fight for the allies
• Armenians organised battalions to help Russia fight Turks in the Caucasus region
• These events led to suspicion and led govt to push for Armenian removal

Question 5

April 1915 Armenian genocide

Answer 5

• Turks arrest and execute several Armenian intellectuals
• Ordinary Armenians expelled from homes and sent on death marches through desert with no food or water
• Young Turks created a “Special Organisation” which organised “killing squads” to carry out the “liquidation of the Chritian elements”
• These killing squads drowned people, threw them off cliffs, crucified them, buried them alive, raped women
• Armenian population was reduced from 2 million, at the start of massacre, to just 388k by 1922