Entry 5: Enduring Effects

     The Armenian Genocide occurred to mainly exterminate the Armenian population. Due to the fact that the Young Turks were Muslim and not Christian/ Catholic was another reason to denounce the Armenian race (Lewy, “The First Genocide of the 20th Century?”). The Armenian genocide was “A desperate struggle between two nations for the possession of a single homeland” (Horvitz). The Young Turks did not see the Armenians as a threat but wanted to exterminate a minority population. They wanted the Ottoman Empire to only consist of mainly people the of Turkish race (Horvitz).

      With the signing of a cease fire agreement on October 30th, 1918 in Mudros, Turkey surrendered. At that exact point Turkey was in the same situation as Germany was during the Holocaust. As a result of the Armenian genocide the public later got to know the extent of the Turks punishments. Hundreds of political and military leaders were arrested and charged with war crimes. However, some of the Young Turks escaped and fled the country knowing what was going to happen to them if they stayed. Enver, Talaat, and Jemal and several other figures that lead the Young Turks who already fled the country were sentenced to death in Absentia (“Frequently Asked Questions-Background).

      I think it is important for us to learn about this genocide is because we get a little sense of what the Armenians had to go through. We may not fully understand and emotionally connect to this genocide being that we did not take place in it but by learning about the genocide it shows us / tells us about the hardships they had to face. Being deprived of not only their freedom but also their religion. Many were forced and allowed to convert to another religion to be saved. You also learn why people of the Armenian race still have this anger towards the people of Turkey.

      An impact that the genocide was made on the world today is how people go about their lives, having to still struggle emotionally about the genocide. ; The Armenian genocide also helped in other genocides due to their devious plans and actions (Lewy, “The First Genocide of the 20th Century?’).