ARMENIAN QUESTION*

Year 2005, Volume: 13 Issue: 1&2, 155 - 176, 28.12.2005

Justine Mccarthy

https://doi.org/10.29228/mjes.216

Abstract

Keywords

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ARMENIAN QUESTION*

Abstract

Conflict between the Turks and the Armenians was not inevitable. The
two peoples should have been friends. When World War I began, the
Armenians and Turks had been living together for 800 years. The
Armenians of Anatolia and Europe had been Ottoman subjects for nearly
400 years. There were problems during those centuries-problems caused
especially by those who attacked and ultimately destroyed the Ottoman
Empire. Everyone in the Empire suffered, but it was the Turks and other
Muslims who suffered most. Judged by all econnmic and social standards,
the Armenians did well under Ottoman rule. By the late nineteenth century,
in every Ottoman province the Armenians were better educated and richer
than the Muslims. Armenians worked hard, it is true, but their comp;rrative
riches were largely due to European and American influence and Ottoman
tolerance. European merchants made Ottoman Christians their agents.
European merchants gave them their business. European consuls intervened
in their behalf. The Armenians benefited from the education given to them,
and not to the Turks, by American missionaries.

Keywords

Armenians, Turks, The EU

References

• FO 424/196, Elliot to Currie, Tabreez, May 5, 1898.
• FO 195/2949, Molyneux-Seel to Lowther, Van, February 17, 1913.
• FO 195/2375 Molyneux-Seele to Lowther, Van, 9 October 1911.
• FO 195/2283, Dickson to O'Conor, Van; March 15, 1908.
• FO 37111783 Molyneux-Seele to Lowther, Van, 4 April, 1913.