Beginnings of Genocide

November 1914: Trouble in the Caucasus

After the 1909 Adona massacre and during the buildup to World War I, there were sporadic attacks on Armenian villages, and Armenian property was looted for "war contributions." Armenians in the Ottoman Army were disarmed and worked to death in labor camps or killed outright. Accusations circulated that Armenians were aiding Russians, heightening already tense relations between the Turks and the Armenians.

The Turks had entered World War I, which began in August 1914, on the side of the Central Powers (alliance of Germany, Austro-Hungarian Empire & Turkey) and were fighting Russia in the Caucasus. The Russians were able to repel the Turks, and the large population of Armenians living in that area was accused of aiding the Russians.

April 24, 1915: Start of the Genocide

April 24, 1915 is the date widely recognized as the beginning of the genocide. In the first wave, between 235 and 270 Armenian intellectuals were rounded up in Constantinople and deported.

Several hundred more followed in the second wave. Most were killed. Historians see this as an attempt to deprive the Armenian population of leadership and the ability to resist future Turkish action. Since 1919, April 24 has been observed as Armenian Genocide Memorial Day.