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“ARMENIAN QUESTION”
With the regression of the Ottoman Empire, the minorities living in the empire began to fight for their independence under protection and guidance of Russia, Britain, France, and Austro-Hungarian Empire. Some of the Christian subjects succeeded and became an example for Armenians.
Thus, from the second half of the 19 th century “Armenian Question” came in to being.
In this period, Russia became one of the most powerful states of the world and she saw the Ottoman Empire as a step for her diffusion through the warm seas. To reach her target Russia made wars and incited the Christian minorities living under the Ottoman flag. She became the protector of these minorities. At the same time, the other European powers France and Britain were intending to benefit from the catholic and the protestant Armenians and in Istanbul, they instituted the Armenian Catholic Church in 1830, Armenian Protestant Church in 1847. This show of protection by the European Powers was a disguise of their intention to be involved in the interior affairs of the Ottoman government and to divide the empire.
San Stefano Treaty and Berlin Congress could be named as the starting point of the “Armenian Question”. San Stefano Treaty was signed after the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. Its article number 16, which the Ottoman government had signed by force is as follows:
“The Ottoman government, for the territories which it retained in Armenia, promises reforms and improvements as required for the Armenian inhabitants, and guarantees of their security against the Circassians and Kurds.”
This article of San Stefano did not satisfy the Armenians calling for independence but for the first time in history, “Armenian Question” and “Armenia” concepts were mentioned in an international document.
In like manner, Russia and Turkey had signed the Treaty of Berlin at the conclusion of the Congress of Berlin (1878). The article 16 of San Stefano was revised with article 61, which was as fallow:
“The Ottoman government promises necessary reforms and improvements for the Armenian subjects and guarantees of their peace and security against the Kurds and Circassians. The Ottoman government will periodically report the steps it took to the powers, who would superintend their application.”
The concerned article of the Berlin Treaty introduced European intervention on the relations between the Ottoman government and the Armenian subjects.
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Armenian Committees and Revolts:
After the Treaty of Berlin, “Armenian Question” progressed in two directions. The first direction is increasing European interference and pressure on the Ottoman internal affairs, the second is Armenian armament, and secret organisations emerged in Syria, Anatolia, and Roumelia.
Russia was the initial provocateur of the secret Armenian organisations. This protective role of Russia urged Britain and France’s interest on the Armenians. The number of the British Consulates in the Eastern Anatolia increased and many Protestant missionaries were sent to the region.
Because of European provocation, the Armenian subjects of the Ottoman Empire began to form local nationalist groups and secret societies. However, all these organisations remained local and failed to create a widespread influence. The Armenian habitants living in peace and welfare did not join those radical societies and many of them ended.
Henceforth, the failure to create a movement among the Ottoman Armenians led the Armenian nationalists to form societies in Russia. Thus, in 1887, an organisation was formed on socialist lines, in Geneva, named Hunchak. In Tiflis, in 1890, an Armenian Committee more rebellious, more nationalist, and more radical was founded, named Dashnaktsutium, whose members were commonly called Dashnaks. The target of those committees was Anatolia and “to give freedom to the Ottoman Armenians.”
First the Hunchaks began to organise demonstrations mainly targeting to attract the attention of the European powers and the Dasnaks followed these attempts. The main characteristics of these demonstrations are their planing and leading systems. All the actions were planned and led outside Turkey.
The first revolt was in Erzurum, in 1890. Kumkapi demonstration followed this revolt and Kayseri, Yozgat, Corum and Merzifon events became next between 1892-93. In 1894, Sasun revolt, in 1895 Babiali demonstration and Zeytun revolt were organised. In 1896, the Ottoman Bank was occupied and Van was raided. In 1903, the second Sasun revolt was occurred. In 1905, an assassination to Sultan Abdulhamid was made but failed and Adana revolt, in 1909, followed this unsuccessful attempt.
The Ottoman Army repressed the revolts, they were accused as murderers, and the Armenians gave the whole world a false message as “the Muslims are killing the Christians.” With these events, “Armenian Question” raised and gained a more international identity. The target of Armenian revolts was to create anarchy and chaos in Turkey to incite the Ottoman army forces. In fact, the reports of the British and Russian diplomatic missions reveal the reality. The British and Russian consulates in Anatolia and the Christian missionaries played an important role in Armenian propaganda and they have misled the public opinion.
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The First World War and After:
On 01 November 1914, the Ottoman Empire entered the First World War, which was taken an advantage by the Armenian Committees. Armenians sided with Russia and they joined the Russian Army. Moreover, they entered eastern Anatolia with Russian Expeditionary Forces. In addition, they have organised new revolts in Anatolia, stabbed the Ottoman Army from its back, and massacred the Turkish locals. They have not only killed the Turks but also they killed the Greek and Jew habitants of Hakkari region.
While all these ruthless events in the eastern territories were going on, the British and French fleet was forcing the Dardanelles. Meanwhile, the Ottoman Army was in war nearly in every front of the country from eastern Anatolia, through Galichia and Iraq.
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24 April 1915
At first, the Ottoman government alerted the Armenian Patrick, the Armenian deputies, and the influential Armenian subjects that it ought to have taken measures about these events if the revolts would continue. However, this warning did not solve the question and the government closed the Armenian societies and committees on 24 April 1915. In the same day 235 people were arrested because of treachery.
The Armenians living outside Turkey commemorate 24 April as the “Day of Genocide.” The day in which the secret societies were closed and the traitors were arrested.
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Displacement
After all the revolts and rebellious activities of the Ottoman Armenians, the government made a law (27 May 1915) to displace the Armenians to Syria a place out of the war, and more peaceful.
As Armenian historian, Leo said; “the Ottoman government defended itself against the Armenian societies revolted by Russian influence and with a trust to the Russian arms”.
The Armenians and the European Powers named displacement as “Genocide” and they used this as a propaganda tool against the Ottoman government.
In fact, displacement was only a measure of security for a certain group of people whose treacherous actions were proven. The Ottoman government was aiming to end the revolts and rebellions. In that situation, displacement was the most definite solution. The Ottoman government took measures to protect its own lands. Moreover, during many countries had taken similar measures in the history. Even in the Second World War, USA and many other countries did the same.
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Armenian Casualties
It is true that the Armenians gave causalities during displacement and the fights. This fact has never been denied. Under the atmosphere of the world war and the negative conditions of the revolts, the Armenian convoys had been attacked. The Ottoman government had struggled to cease the attacks and punished the guilty people. To maintain security and substance of the convoys, the government declared required orders. These orders could still be found in the archives of the European States. Some of the orders are as below:
“The Armenians should be safely transported to their new settlements. During the journey, their rest and security should be maintained. From their arrival until their settlement, all the costs would be compensated from the refugee appropriations. Considering their previous wealth and requirements new land would be appropriated. New houses should be built and agricultural needs would be implemented.”
“Necessary measures should be taken to hinder possible fights between the civil Muslims and the Christians as this order aims to cease the rebellious Armenian societies.”
“To maintain resettlement of the Armenians, security forces should be charged.”
“For the poor refugees, sufficient substance would be maintained and doctors would control their health everyday.” On the other hand, the negative conditions of the world war, insufficiency of food, medicine, vehicles should be considered. Moreover, typhus and the other epidemics negatively effected the refugees. For example, 90.000 soldiers of the Ottoman Army had suffered from the cold and epidemics in the eastern front. In those days, even in Istanbul people had suffered due to negative effect of the war. The negative conditions of that time did not effect only the Armenians but the whole Ottoman habitants. All the Ottomans faced with poverty, diseases, and hunger.
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Treaties of Sèvres and Lausanne
Treaty of Sèvres was signed after the First World War. It provided for an independent Armenia which risen the hopes of the Armenians. The President of USA Wilson was given authority to determine the frontiers.
The Treaty of Sèvres was replaced by the Treaty of Lausanne on 24 July 1923; the treaty recognised the boundaries of the modern state of Turkey. The Allies dropped their demands of territory to Armenia. In fact, before the Treaty of Lausanne, the Treaty of Moscow was signed on 16 March 1921 and the frontier between Soviet Russia and Turkey was drawn. Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, which was founded in Caucasia, approved this frontier on 13 October 1921 with the Treaty of Kars. Thus, Armenian demand of territory in Anatolia vanished.
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Copyright © 2005 Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ankara - Turkey
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