Reasons on the Genocide
Why did the genocide start?
Although Armenians were second class citizens
in the Ottoman Empire, they lived in relative harmony with Turks for centuries
before the forces of nationalism transformed the situation. Armenians were
known as the "loyal group". During these times, although Armenians
were not equal and had to put up with certain special hardships, taxes and
second class citizenship, they were pretty well accepted and there was
relatively little violent conflict.
As European powers began to ask for
assurances that Armenians receive better treatment, the government began to
treat the Armenians worse and worse. From 1894-6 hundreds of thousands of
Armenians died in the Hamidian Massacres ordered by Sultan Abdul Hamid II. A
coup by 'progressive' Young Turks in 1908 replacing the Sultans government was
supported by Armenians. Unfortunately, promised reforms never came, and in fact
a triumvirate of extreme Turkish nationalists took complete dictatorial
control, Enver, Jemal and Talat. It was they who masterminded the plan to
completely eradicate the Armenian race in a step towards fulfilling their
pan-Turkic dreams.