ARMENIAN GENOCIDE |
HOW? |
How did it happen: When World War I began, the Ottoman Empire’s leaders allied themselves with Germany and Austria-Hungary as part of the Central Powers. While the world was focused on battle in Europe, the Ottoman Empire began a systematic campaign to eliminate the Armenian people within its borders. Ottoman authorities created a propaganda campaign claiming that Armenians were a threat to national security, in part because of some Armenians’ support of Russia in the ongoing World War. Because most Turks were illiterate, anti-Armenian propaganda was primarily disseminated in the sermons of Muslim mullahs and by town criers, who labeled Armenians spies, infidels, and traitors. Armenian leaders and intellectuals were arrested, tortured, and killed. The 40,000 Armenians serving in the military had their weapons confiscated and were forced into hard labor. Many died as a result of the brutal living and working conditions.