Armenian Genocide History

Pre-Genocide Context

  • Treaty of San Stefano (March 3, 1878): Created after the Russo-Turkish War, it aimed to protect Armenian rights and created a large Bulgarian state, leading to tensions in the Ottoman Empire.

  • Replaced by the Treaty of Berlin (July 13, 1878): This treaty diluted the Armenian protections established in San Stefano, providing limited reforms and failing to guarantee Armenian autonomy. It reinforced Ottoman control while disappointing Armenian aspirations.

  • Decline of the Ottoman Empire (Late 19th Century): The empire faced internal strife and external pressures, resulting in rising nationalism among its diverse populations, particularly among Armenians.

  • Hamidian Massacres (1894-1896): Sultan Abdul Hamid II orders mass killings of Armenians, resulting in the deaths of approximately 100,000 to 300,000 Armenians. This crackdown aimed to suppress Armenian demands for reform and autonomy.

  • Young Turk Revolution (July 24, 1908): The CUP, a nationalist and reformist group, successfully overthrows Abdul Hamid II, initially promising to restore constitutional governance but later implementing oppressive policies against ethnic minorities.

  • Rise of Pan-Turkism (Early 20th Century): An ideology promoting a unified Turkish nation-state that marginalized non-Turkish ethnic groups, particularly Armenians, who were seen as a threat to Turkish nationalism.

Armenian Genocide (1915-1917)

  • April 24, 1915: The genocide begins with the arrest of approximately 250 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople, marking the start of systematic persecution.

  • Mass Deportations (1915): Armenians are forcibly removed from their homes, with many sent on death marches to the Syrian Desert, facing extreme conditions.

  • Death Marches and Mass Executions: Tens of thousands perish from starvation, dehydration, and violence during these marches. Reports of mass shootings and executions emerge.

  • Muslim Guards Deflecting: Some Muslim guards, faced with orders to participate in the killings, refused to comply, showing resistance to the genocide and sometimes assisting Armenians in escaping (as noted in your 2/11/2025 class notes).

  • Dana Massacre (1916): A significant instance of violence where hundreds of Armenians are killed in the town of Dana, highlighting the widespread and systematic nature of the genocide.

Post-Genocide Aftermath

  • Treaty of Sèvres (August 10, 1920): Proposed the establishment of an independent Armenian state but was never enacted due to Turkish resistance and subsequent geopolitical changes.

  • Madrid Conference (1919): A diplomatic meeting addressing post-war issues, where Armenian concerns were discussed but ultimately led to inadequate accountability for the genocide.

  • Wilson’s Fourteen Points (January 8, 1918): U.S. President Woodrow Wilson's framework for peace emphasized self-determination, yet failed to recognize Armenian claims for independence and justice.

  • Treaty of Lausanne (July 24, 1923): This treaty replaced Sèvres, recognizing Turkey's modern borders without addressing the Armenian Genocide or providing justice for victims.

Lack of Accountability: Despite evidence of the genocide, Turkish authorities denied responsibility, and many perpetrators faced little to no punishment, leading to a culture of impunity regarding the atrocities committed.