The Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide was organized in 1915 on those territories of the country over which the Ottoman Empire was ruling . Quite often this period in the Armenian history is called the Great Atrocity.

It is believed that the Armenian genocide was conducted in several stages. To begin with, all Armenian soldiers were disarmed, after which the electoral deportation of a part of citizens to conditions unfit for living began. Subsequently, mass deportation ensued, accompanied by violence and killings.

Genocide of the Armenian people: historical background

Armenian settlements arose in the second century BC. In those days, this people inhabited part of the territories of modern eastern Turkey, as well as the area near Lake Van and Mount Ararat. It is interesting that in 301, it was the Great Armenia that became the first country where Christianity was recognized as the only state religion. Faith and became the impetus for the mass eviction and destruction. But the Armenian genocide began much later.

The country was repeatedly subjected to raids by Ottoman troops. And in the late 19th century, most of the Armenian people were under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. And since Armenian citizens were not Muslims, they were considered second-rate members of society. For example, soldiers were forbidden to carry arms and testify in court, and taxes were several times higher.

The first mass killings of Armenians occurred in 1894-1986. Later, there were several more clashes between Armenian soldiers and Ottoman troops, during which several thousand Armenian citizens died.

The Armenian Genocide during the First World War

In 1914, between Turkey and Germany, a secret treaty was signed to change the eastern borders of the Turkish state. This would give an opportunity to build a corridor to the Muslim population of Russia. The creation of such a free area meant the expulsion of Armenians from the territories mentioned.

Nevertheless, in 1915, when the Ottoman Empire was dragged into the world war, Armenian citizens were called to the front. In the same year, after the British troops attacked the Dardanelles, it was decided to move the capital of the Ottoman Empire. On the other hand, the authorities feared the possible assistance of the Armenians to the enemy troops. Thus, it was decided to quickly deport all representatives of the Armenian people.

And to this day April 24, 1915 is considered a mourning day for the whole people. It was on this day that the Armenian Genocide began. In his organization, Enver Pasha, Talaat Pasha and Jemal Pasha are found guilty.

The Turkish rulers issued an order to collect the entire Armenian intelligentsia and immediately deport them. For months the mass arrests continued. In this period, famous artists, writers, lawyers, businessmen, musicians, doctors and other talented citizens fell victims of repression. Those who were still alive were deported to the desert, where they died from hunger, heat or from the hands of bandits.

But such an extermination of the Armenian people took place not only in Constantinople - soon repressions began to be actively conducted throughout the country. Official sources report that eviction and murders continued until 1918. On the other hand, there is evidence of cruelty towards the Armenian people in the future.

The same groups of refugees, who managed to escape the tragic fate, united in their desire for retribution. Thus, a list was created of eighty people who in one way or another were involved in the organization and conduct of the genocide. For almost three years almost all of this list were killed by Armenian soldiers, including Envera Pasha, Shekir Bey, Jemal Pasha and other rulers.