Response to the video “The Armenian Genocide”

When did the Ottomans gain control of Anatolia (the historic homeland of the Armenians)?

The Ottomans gained control of Anatolia in the 11th century. They continued to expand their territory until the 16th century, when they reached their peak power.

Describe the “millet system” of the Ottoman Empire.

The millet system was a system of religious autonomy used by the Ottoman Empire to govern its diverse population. Under the millet system, each religious community was governed by its own religious leaders. This system allowed the Ottomans to maintain control over their empire without having to assimilate their subjects into a single culture.

What is a “designated infidel?”

A designated infidel is a person who is not considered to be a member of a recognized religion. In the context of the Armenian Genocide, the Ottoman government designated the Armenians as infidels. This designation allowed the government to justify their persecution and extermination of the Armenian people.

Who did the Ottomans ally themselves with as German and Russia went to war?

The Ottomans allied themselves with the Germans during World War I. The Germans provided the Ottomans with military and financial support.

Where were the Armenians told they would be taken during the deportations?

The Armenians were told that they would be taken to resettlement camps in Mesopotamia and Syria. However, many of the Armenians were killed during the deportations, or they died from starvation and disease in the camps.

List three American leaders who protested the Armenian Genocide.

Three American leaders who protested the Armenian Genocide were:

• President Woodrow Wilson
• Ambassador Henry Morgenthau
• Reverend John R. Mott

What organization was established in the U.S. to aid the Armenians? How much money did they raise?

The Near East Relief was an organization established in the United States to aid the Armenians. They raised over $117 million in donations, which was used to provide food, clothing, and shelter to the Armenian survivors of the Genocide.

Why does the Turkish government deny the Armenian Genocide today?

The Turkish government denies the Armenian Genocide for a number of reasons. First, they do not want to acknowledge the responsibility that the Ottoman government had for the Genocide. Second, they do not want to pay reparations to the Armenian survivors. Third, they do not want to damage their relationship with Azerbaijan, which also denies the Genocide.

Conclusion

The Armenian Genocide was a horrific tragedy that resulted in the deaths of over 1.5 million people. It is important to remember this event so that we can learn from the mistakes of the past and prevent similar atrocities from happening in the future.

Additional Information

The Armenian Genocide was a systematic campaign of extermination carried out by the Ottoman government against the Armenian people during World War I. The Genocide began in 1915 and continued until 1923. During this time, the Ottoman government deported and massacred millions of Armenians.

The Genocide was motivated by a number of factors, including the Ottoman government’s desire to homogenize its population and its fear that the Armenians were a threat to national security. The Ottomans were also influenced by the pan-Turanist ideology, which promoted the idea of a unified Turkic state.

The Armenian Genocide was a major turning point in Armenian history. It led to the destruction of the Armenian community in the Ottoman Empire and the displacement of millions of Armenians. The Genocide also had a profound impact on the Armenian diaspora, which continues to advocate for justice and recognition of the Genocide.

What can be done to prevent future genocides?

There are a number of things that can be done to prevent future genocides. These include:

• Educating the public about the dangers of genocide and the importance of human rights.
• Supporting early warning systems and rapid response mechanisms to identify and prevent potential genocides.
• Holding perpetrators of genocide accountable for their crimes.
• Promoting peace and reconciliation.

It is important to remember that genocide is a crime against humanity. We must all work together to prevent such atrocities from happening again.