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The Armenian Genocide

The first genocide of the 20th


Century

The Ottoman Empire, 1914

Background of Armenia
Armenia was a part of the Ottoman
Empire. While the empire was Muslim,
Armenians remained Christians. They
were tolerated, but did not experience
full equality under Islamic law.
In 1867, Sultan Abdul Hamid II, came
to power and attempted to stop the
many revolutions within his empire.
He did this mainly by encouraging
Muslim groups to settle in Armenian
lands.

Sultan Abdul Hamid II,


also known as the
Red Sultan for his
role in the genocide.

Armenian Background
Cont
This caused wide spread conflict and
in 1894, Hamid falsely charged the
Armenians for rebelling without
authority. The Muslims, backed by
the Ottoman Empire, were allowed to
attack the Armenians. Over the
course of the next 2 years, 200,000
Armenians died from attack and/or
starvation.

The Young Turks


In 1908, a group of young
intellectuals over threw the sultancalled The Young Turks. This new
leadership sought to make the
Ottoman Empire exclusively Turkish
and Muslims.
In 1910, the Armenians were labeled
enemies of Muslim Turkey (due to not
fitting the above description)

Enver Bey, the


leader of the
Young Turks.

The Genocide Begins


In 1914, Turkey entered WWI. A
military offensive against Russia
ended in disaster and Turkey accused
the Armenians of aiding Russia.
On April 24, 1915-Turkish authorities
arrested and executed Armenian
leaders in Constantinople. This date
would be forever remembered as the
beginning of the Armenian genocide.

The Genocide Continues


In June 1915, the Armenian population
was deported to the desserts of Syria
and Iraq. Prior to deportation, all
able-bodied males were shot.
25% of those that left Turkey would
eventually arrive in Syria and Iraq.
The majority of people were either
murdered or died of thirst and
starvation along the way.

The Genocide Ends


In 1919, the Young Turks were put on
trial for war crimes and were found
guilty for the destruction of the
Armenian people.
In 1923, a war hero Mustafa Ataturk
came to power, formed the Republic
of Turkey, and released all prisoners
found guilty of war crimes (including
the Young Turks).

Mustafa Kemel Ataturk

In the end, the Soviet Union carved


out territory for the Armenians.
Over 1 million Armenians died during
the genocide.
Today, the country of Turkey still
formally denies that any
premeditated genocide took place.

Why do we know so little


about this event during
WWI?
1 million deaths is not a lot compared to

millions lost in other countries.


Europe is in shambles, each country has its
own issues to deal with.
The term genocide is created by Professor
Raphael Lempkin in 1946, (after WWII ) and
recognized at a United Nations convention
in 1948.
Genocide, briefly, is the intent to destroy, in
whole or part, ethnic or religious groups.

You decide.
Based on the evidence provided and
the UN covenant..
Do you believe the events in Armenia
were genocide?
Provide evidence to defend your
position.

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