Armenian Genocide

Armenia and Religion

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Armenia becomes the first state to adopt Christianity as its official religion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFnTA46Nd8I

Ottoman Empire Rising

Oct 21, 1453

Ottoman Empire is firmly established, including the area of Armenia. Armenians have “second class status.” This means that they were granted religious freedom, but did not have equal legal standing since they were not subject to Islamic law. Among other things, non-Muslims in the Ottoman Empire were prohibited from certain professions and had to pay additional taxes.

Ottoman Empire Declines

Oct 21, 1800

Ottoman Empire declines, economy stagnates, and various ethnic groups within the Ottoman Empire mobilize for independence. Armenians instead advocate for reforms that would grant them equality under law, protection of civil rights.

Armenian Genocide

Period: Oct 21, 1853 to Oct 21, 1923

The word "Armenia" banned

Oct 21, 1880

By special order of the Turkish government, the word "Armenia" is forbidden for use in official documents.

Armenian Activism for Civil Rights

Jan 1, 1894

In response to Armenian activism for civil rights, 100,000 to 300,000 Armenians are killed under Sultan Abdul Hamid II . These killings become known as the Hamidian Massacres and attract world-wide attention. The US Congress debates intervention. The American Red Cross establishes its first ever international mission for these Armenian victims.

Villages attacked

Dec 21, 1895

Armenians of the villages of Norduz, Hayots Dzor, Gavash and Karchevan in the vilayet of Bitlis are set upon by fire and sword. 100 villages are destroyed. On December 28 in the town of Ourfa (Yedesia), 8000 Armenians are slaughtered. 100 villages around Mush, vilayet of Bitlis, are destroyed.

Armenians Defending

Oct 21, 1896

Turks break their vow and near St. Bartholemew Church, attack Armenians in Van seeking to defend themselves, murdering 1500 people. The survivors flee to Persia.

The Young Turk Revolution

Oct 21, 1908

The Young Turk revolution overthrows Sultan Abdul Hamid II and raises hopes for Armenians and others that a new constitution will be put in place which will protect and enhance the rights of all.

Armenians celebrating

Dec 31, 1909

Armenians celebrating the potential for new rights are massacred at Adana. “Pan Turkism” is adopted as a fiercely nationalist policy designed to unite the new country under the Young Turks.

New Leader of Turkish Government

Oct 21, 1913

In Turkey, the triumvirate of Enver, Talaat and Jemal Pasha heads the government.

Exhausted

Mar 23, 1914

Armenians are put to use as porters of army supplies in Erzerum, Trebizond, and Sivas Provinces under the worst of cold winter conditions for the purpose of letting them die of overwork and illness.

Looting

Aug 25, 1914

Turks loot the properties of subjects of Allied nations.

Ottoman Empire enters World War I

Oct 21, 1914

Ottoman Empire enters World War I, and suffers a bad defeat by the Russians. This will be a pretext for attacks on the Armenians, who are accused of uniting with the Russians. (There are a small minority of Armenians who do side with the Russians, but they remain largely loyal to the Ottoman Empire.)

The genocide of Armenians takes place

Oct 21, 1915

The genocide of Armenians takes place. Methods used include forced marches into the desert, attacks by special militias known as Shota, abductions of children and women, and direct killings. Half a million to one and a half million Armenians are estimated to have been killed as a result of the Armenian genocide, as well as Armenian communities and personal properties lost.

Turkish Denial

Oct 21, 1918

Immediately, the Turkish government denies that the Armenians were targeted without cause. Efforts continue to this day to deny the Armenian genocide.

Amount of dead

Oct 21, 1918

The armistice of Moudros ends the war between the Allies and Turkey. Global estimates of the campaign of extermination: close to 1,500,000 Armenians dead.

Court Martial

Apr 22, 1921

The Ottoman government abolishes the courts martial.

Buring of Buildings

Oct 22, 1922

The burning of Smyrna by the Turks. Within 24 hours, 50,000 houses, 24 churches, 28 schools, 5 consulates, 7 clubs, 5 banks, and an unknown number of stores and warehouses are destroyed.

Can't come back

Oct 21, 1923

Turkey adopts a law which prohibits the return of Armenians who left Cilicia or any of the eastern vilayets whether or not they had left voluntarily.

Trying to prove a point

Sep 22, 1939

While addressing his military commanders at Obersalzburg, a week before the invasion of Poland, and the start of World War II, Adolph Hitler speaks of his orders "to kill without pity or mercy all men, women, and children of Polish race or language," and concludes his remarks by saying: "Who still talks about the extermination of Armenians anyways?"