Before The Genocide
Armenians home was in Caucasus region of Eurasia for some 3,000 years, the very first nation that made Christianity it's official religion. Although after some time, control of the region shifted from one Empire to another. By the 15th century, Armenians were "absorbed into the Ottoman Empire (Turkish Empire)".
Ottoman Rulers
Most of the Ottoman rulers were Muslim. They gave Armenians "unequal and unjust" treatment. Armenians had to pay higher taxes and had very few political rights. All Armenians were now under the 'Ottoman Rule'. Armenians were campaigning to win their basic civil rights. A Turkish Sultan, Abdul Hamid (photo on the left) got very angry by this, "I will soon settle those Armenians, I will give them a box on the ear which will make them...relinquish their revolutionary ambitions", he told a reporter in 1890.
The First Attack: 1894-1896
The first Armenian massacre took place between 1894 and 1896, Turks were responding to the Armenian's protests. Turkish soldiers and officials attacked Armenians, and destroyed their villages and cities. After this massacre, thousands of Armenians were murdered, and even more severely injured.
The New Turkish Government: 1908
A new government was born in 1908, overthrowing Abdu Hamid. This new government was meant to be more modern and constitutional, they called themselves the Young Turks. This new government gave Armenians a lot of hope, maybe they would now be treated equally. Later, Armenians found out all the Young Turks were trying to do was 'Turkify the Empire'. Now Armenians were in enormous danger and a big threat to the government.
Turks Entered World War I:1914
The Turks entered World War I on the side of Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in 1914. Ottoman authorities declared war on all Christians (Armenians), with the exception if their allies. Turkish military soldiers kept arguing that Armenians were traitors, and could not fight for themselves. This made Armenians eager and ready to fight against the Turks. Armenians helped prepare large troops of Russians and got them ready for battle (Volunteer Battalions) so they could fight against the Turks. In result, the Turkish suspicion of Armenians got worse and led them to want to "push for removal" of the Armenians from war zones along the Eastern Front.
The Genocide, Now Began: April 24th, 1915
In 1915, leaders of the Turkish government made a plan to exterminate, and attack Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire. There were many Armenians in the Ottoman Empire at this time, approximately two million. On April 24th, 1915 the Turkish Government was arresting and murdering hundreds of innocent Armenians. They were taken away from their homes, and sent on marches underneath the scorching sun in the Mesopotamian desert. People who couldn't to march, or who stopped marching, were left to die. Young Turks created organizations to carry on, they organized 'killing squads'. They murdered, drowned, crucified, and even threw Armenian's off cliffs. Very young Armenian children got kidnapped and brought to Turkish families who converted the young children to Islam. Turkish families seized Armenian properties and began to live there. In many places women were raped and forced to become slaves.
The Ottomans Surrender: 1918
The Ottoman's finally surrendered in 1918 and made their way to Germany. Germany had promised the Turks that they would not prosecute them for the Genocide. Weeks later, plans were made by Armenians to track down and murder people who took part in the Genocide, specifically the leaders. Now some Turks deny that the Genocide took place, but some "argue that their slaughter was a necessary war measure". Ever since then, it has been illegal to talk about the Genocide. "In March 2010, a U.S. Congregational panel at last voted to recognize the Genocide (Armenian Genocide, Facts)."
The Ottoman's finally surrendered in 1918 and made their way to Germany. Germany had promised the Turks that they would not prosecute them for the Genocide. Weeks later, plans were made by Armenians to track down and murder people who took part in the Genocide, specifically the leaders. Now some Turks deny that the Genocide took place, but some "argue that their slaughter was a necessary war measure". Ever since then, it has been illegal to talk about the Genocide. "In March 2010, a U.S. Congregational panel at last voted to recognize the Genocide (Armenian Genocide, Facts)."