Armenian Genocide Timelines

The Armenian Genocide was a devastating event that took place over a period of several decades. During this time, an estimated 1.5 million Armenians lost their lives at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. The genocide involved forced deportations, concentration camps, forced labor, starvation, and mass killings. Despite widespread condemnation, the Ottoman Empire refused to acknowledge the genocide, leading to ongoing struggles for recognition and justice by Armenians around the world. This page provides a detailed summary of the timelines beginning in 1878 and continuing until 1953 leading up to and during the Armenian Genocide, as well as its aftermath and the ongoing efforts to secure recognition and remembrance.

1878

Russo-Turkish War

Russian troops gained victories both on the Balkan and the Caucasian fronts during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. The Russian troops occupied Bulgaria and advanced to the outskirts of Istanbul, while on the Caucasian war stage, they took Ardahan, Bayazet, Alashkert, Kars and Erzurum, i.e., a considerable segment of Western Armenia, as well as Batumi. The Turks had to terminate the war operations and seek for peace.

March 3, 1878

Peace Treaty Signed

The Peace Treaty between Russia and the Ottoman Empire was signed on March 3, 1878, in the township of San Stefano in the vicinity of Istanbul. It verified the victories, gained with the Russian weapon. In the Treaty of San Stefano a special Paragraph 16 was added about the application of reforms in Western Armenia.

June 13, 1878

Congress of Berlin

The Congress of Berlin met on June 13, 1878, presided over by Bismarck. England and Austria-Hungary, supported by Germany, France, and Italy, succeeded in revising the decisions of San Stefano, weakening Russia’s positions, while their own positions and influence on the Ottoman Empire, vice versa, were reinforced. By the decision of the Congress, Russia returned Alashkert with the valley and Bayazet to Turkey. Ardahan, Kars, as well as Batumi remained with Russia. The Treaty of Berlin contained a specific Paragraph 61, all dedicated to the Armenian Question. It differed from Paragraph 16 of the Treaty of San Stefano in several very principal aspects, and this not to the benefit of Armenians. If, under the Treaty of San Stefano, the reforms in Western Armenia were to be carried out in the presence of the Russian troops, which presented a certain guarantee of said implementation, now, under the Treaty of Berlin, the Russian troops were withdrawn to leave everything to the discretion of the “bloodthirsty Sultan”.

1891

Sultan Abdul Hamid II creates ‘Hamidie’ cavalry to carry out Armenian massacres despite promise of protection

Paradoxical was the fact that the powers entrusted the Sultan “to ensure Armenians’ security from Kurds and Circassians’”, whereas the Sultan himself was the principal instigator of all the anti-Armenian deeds of the Kurds and Circassians. A perfect example of this is that, right after the Congress of Berlin of 1891, by the order of Abdul Hamid II, a cavalry, named “Hamidie” after the Sultan, in which only Kurds were enlisted, was set up and kept at the expense of the Ottoman Empire. It consisted of 30 regiments which were not integrated in the system of the Ottoman army and were kept as a separate military unit, located in the Armenian town of Erzinkan. The foremost goal of the “Hamidie” was to organize carnages of Armenians all throughout the Empire, which they executed perfectly in 1894-1896 and during the ensuing Armenian massacres.

1894-1896

The Armenian Massacres of 1894-1896: A History of Slaughter and Forced Islamization

The Armenian massacres of 1894-1896 marked the apex of Ottoman Empire’s violence against the Armenian population. It began with the destruction of Sasun in August 1894, followed by massacres in major cities and towns like Trabzon, Erzinka, Marash, and many more. In total, it is estimated that around 300,000 Armenians lost their lives during this period. Additionally, 100,000 Armenians were forcibly Islamized and the same number were expelled from their homeland. The Ottoman Empire attempted to organize pogroms in Zeytun, but the locals successfully resisted the threatening Turkish troops.

1908

1908, July 10

The Rise and Fall of the Young Turks: From Overthrowing the Sultan to Continuing Oppression

In the early 20th century, the Young Turks emerged as a movement with the aim of unseating the authoritarian Sultan and his regime. They founded their own party, the Committee of Union and Progress, and organized a successful coup in 1908, depriving Sultan Abdul Hamid II of power. The people, including Armenians, welcomed the overthrow with open arms, but it soon became clear that the Young Turks were ardent nationalists who continued the policy of oppression and slaughter. They advocated for the assimilation of all nations in the Ottoman Empire to create a “pure” Turkish nation, resorting to mass slaughters to achieve that goal.

1909

5/6/1019

Young Turk Revolution Betrays Hopes of Armenians with Massacres in Adana

The Young Turk Revolution initially brought hope for a better future for all nations in the Ottoman Empire, but only a year later in April 1909, Turkish chauvinists incited a crowd to commit wholesale atrocities against the local Armenian population in Adana, Cilicia. The massacre spread to other Armenian settlements and resulted in the death of over thirty thousand Armenians. Armenians who had initially supported the Young Turk Revolution faced serious doubts and fear for this new proto-fascist regime.

1910

German interests in Ottoman Empire contributed to Armenian Genocide

Germany’s construction and control of the Baghdad railway in the late 19th and early 20th century was part of a larger plan to assume control over the Ottoman Empire and weaken England and Russia’s positions in the region. In order to establish Turkish homogeneity in North-Eastern Anatolia and provide skilled manpower for the railway construction, Germans suggested resettling Armenians and replacing them with Muslims brought from Trachea and Russia. This idea became a basis for the Young Turk policy of annihilating the Armenians in their homeland, leading to the Armenian Genocide.

1911

Young Turks Decided on Genocide of Armenians in Secret Meetings

The decision to solve the “Armenian Question” through genocide was made by the Young Turks in the early 1910s during a number of secret meetings and conferences of the Union and Progress Party’s Central Committee. The 1911 Salonika conference, in particular, resulted in the leadership explicitly deciding to Turkify all non-Turkish nations of the Ottoman Empire, which most acutely impacted the Armenians. These decisions became the official strategy of the Young Turk policy, and secret orders were signed by Talaat and sent to local authorities for the extermination of the Armenians.

1912-1913

Balkan Wars and Ottoman Defeat Led to Revisiting of Armenian Question

The Balkan Wars between the Balkan Alliance and Turkey from 1912 to 1913 resulted in Turkey’s defeat and accelerated the unleashing of World War I. Turkey’s defeat in the first Balkan War prepared the ground for the revisiting of the Armenian Question and the Reforms Question of Western Armenia. Thanks to the participation of Armenian public circles and the Russian government, the human rights issue became a discussion point of international diplomacy.

1914

July, 01 1914

Armenian Revolutionary Federation rejects Young Turk demands at Erzerum Congress

In anticipation of war, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation held a congress in Erzerum where two representatives from the Young Turk authorities demanded that the Armenians declare loyalty to Turkey, form detachments to fight against Russians, and foment a revolt in the Caucasus. They promised that after the war, Armenians would be given the right to establish an independent state. However, the congress rejected these demands, declaring that Armenians of Turkey and Russia would appear in different camps, and that the congress could not speak on behalf of the Armenians of Russia. The Young Turk representatives were dissatisfied and one of them, Shakir Behaeddin, later became one of the organizers of the Armenian Genocide.

August – October 1914

World War I breaks out involving 33 states and 1.5 billion people

On August 1, 1914, World War I began, lasting for four years and involving 33 states, including two military-political alliances: the Entente and the Central Powers. The Ottoman Empire officially joined the war on October 29, 1914, citing threats from Russia and England. The war drew in 1.5 billion people, or 75% of the world population, with over 74 million people mobilized. The death toll amounted to 10 million, and another 20 million were injured during various episodes of the war.

January 2, 1915

Massacre of Armenian and Assyrian refugees

Most Armenian and Assyrian refugees going from Urmia, Salmast, and other surrounding settlements to Nor Jugha were attacked and killed by Turkish and Kurdish armed forces.

January 12, 1915

Slaughter of Armenians in Avgharik

Slaughter of 107 Armenians took place in the village of Avgharik.

February 01, 1915

Executive Committee of Three formed

The Union and Progress Party’s Central Committee formed the “Executive Committee of Three” comprised of Doctor Nazim, Shakir Behaeddin, and Midhat Shyukri. The Young Turk Triumvirate – Talaat, Enver, and Jemal – operated through this committee, which was responsible for the implementation of the deportation and massacre of all the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire.

February 12, 1915

Dismissal of Armenian officials and formation of labor detachments

The beginning of the dismissal of Armenian officials, imprisonment of Armenian officers of the Ottoman army, and formation of labor detachments comprised of disarmed Armenian soldiers.

February 18, 1915

Regional delegates informed about decision to exterminate Armenians

The Regional delegates of the party were informed about the decision and the plan to exterminate Armenians with letters signed by the plenipotentiary of the Young Turk Central Committee, Behaeddin Shakir.

February 19, 1915

Slaughtering agents formed

The slaughtering agents were formed from murderers and criminals let out of prisons, with orders to kill the disarmed soldiers working on the Karin military line.

Apr-Jun, 1915

Arrests and deportations of Armenian elite

Selected elite of the Western Armenians were arrested and deported, members of the Turkish Parliament (Mejlis), writers, lawyers, teachers, journalists, physicians, public figures, clergymen, men of art – approximately 800 people. They all were killed on the road to exile, or upon reaching the destination. Armenian party and political figures were arrested and killed as pre-designed.

July 01, 1915

Deportation orders issued for Zeytun, Kharpert, and Urfa

Deportation orders were issued for the Armenian population of the towns of Zeytun, Kharpert, and Urfa, marking the beginning of the mass deportations of Armenians from their homes.

August 01, 1915

Deportation of Armenians from Erzurum begins

The deportation of Armenians from the town of Erzurum began, leading to widespread death and suffering among the Armenian population.

September 01, 1915

Temporary Law of Deportation passed

The Ottoman government passed the Temporary Law of Deportation, which authorized the deportation of the Armenian population from their homes and forced them to march to concentration camps in the Syrian desert.

October 01, 1915

Deportation of Armenians from Bitlis

The Armenian population of the town of Bitlis was deported, with many being killed along the way.

November 01, 1915

Deportation of Armenians from Aleppo

The Armenian population of the city of Aleppo was deported, with many dying of starvation, thirst, and disease during the march to concentration camps.

December 01, 1915

Armenian population of Marash deported

Armenian population of Marash deported, leading to widespread death and suffering

1916

March, 07 1916

Massacres in Pap, Meske, Karlk, Tipsi, Apuharrar, and Hamam

Abdulhat Nuri informed the Ministry that through March 16, 1916, in Pap and Meske, 35,000 Armenians were exterminated; 10,000 in Karlk near Aleppo, 20,000 in Tipsi, Apuharrar and Hamam, and 35,000 in Ral es Ain, totaling 100,000.;

March, 17 1916

Deportation and massacre of Armenians in Ras el Ain

Over 50,000 Armenians gathered in Ras el Ain were deported and massacred until June, when the massacre of 200,000 Armenians gathered in Der Zor took place.

June 22 – July 13, 1916

Massacres in different locales

Atrocities took place in Sebastia, where 10,000 soldiers working in labor camps were killed, in the West of Karin where 9,000 were killed, in Zara where 1,000 were killed, and in a place called Reshatie, in the region of Tokat, where 1,000 Armenians were killed. The massacres ended on July 13, with a total of 21,000 Armenians murdered.

August, 10 1916

Dissolution of Jerusalem and Istanbul patriarchates

The Young Turk government dissolved the Jerusalem and Istanbul patriarchates by official note, leaving only the Cilicia patriarchate, which adopted jurisdiction over the Istanbul patriarchate.

October, 1916

Proclamation of “Armenian Relief Days”

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, acting on a resolution of the US Congress, proclaimed October 8 and 9 as “Armenian Relief Days.”

November, 26 1916

Formation of Armenian Volunteer Detachment

On the basis of the London treaty signed by the president of the Armenian national delegation Poghos Nubar Pasha, together with Mark Sax (England), and George Picot (France) on November 26, the Armenian Volunteer Detachment – the Eastern Legion within the French troops– was formed to liberate Armenian lands from Turkish domination.

1917

October, 25 1917

Bolshevik Revolution in Russia

The Bolsheviks led by Lenin carried out a political revolution in Russia, taking control of the authority of the country’s temporary government. The Turkish government set their sights on seizing all of Eastern Armenia.

October, 25 1917

Signing of Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

The Bolshevik leaders of Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with the anti-Entente states – Germany, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, and Bulgaria, by which it withdrew from the Entente and joined its former antagonists. The treaty put the Armenians living in the Caucasus in an extremely difficult situation, as it invalidated the decision of December 29, 1917, on the right of self-determination of Eastern Armenian lands, instead adopting the decree on returning the same lands to Turkey.

1918

May, 1918

Battle of Sardarapat and proclamation of the Republic of Armenia

Turkish troops captured the Sardarapat station, but the Armenian army of regular troops and militia men went to a last gasp battle of life and death against the Turkish regular army. After enduring heavy losses on May 27, the remnants of the Turkish army fled to Alexandropol (modern day Gyumri). The next day, May

June-September, 1918

Turkish attacks on Alexandropol and Armenians in Baku

Turkish troops attacked Alexandropol (modern day Gyumri) on August 15, slaughtering the rest of the inhabitants and attacking the refugees. The “Savage detachment” Tatar regiment carried out a similar carnage in Baku on September 15, where 30,000 Armenians were killed.

September, 19 1918

Armenian Legion’s victory in Arara, Palestine

In Arara, Palestine, the Armenian Legion of the French army fought against the Turkish army on September 19 and emerged victorious. This victory greatly contributed to the Allied countries’ victory over the Turks.

October, 30 1918

Armistice signed between the Entente states and Turkey, provisions for return of Armenian survivors to their homes

An armistice was signed between the Entente states and Turkey on October 30 in the city of Mudros, with provisions for the return of Armenian survivors to their homes. However, the Entente states did not enforce the implementation of the Mudros armistice, and the Turkish government of Ankara later rejected it, invalidating it.

November, 1918

Talaat, Enver, and Jemal flee Turkey

Talaat, Enver, and Jemal fled Turkey in November.

November-December, 1918

Armenian Legion captures important military locales in Alexandrette port of Cilicia

The Eastern Legion, later renamed the Armenian Legion, entered Alexandrette port of Cilicia on November 28 and captured a number of important military locales from December 17 through December 19.

1919

February, 28 1919

Massacres of Armenians in Aleppo

After the consolidation of the Nationalist-Kemalist forces in Turkey, massacres of Armenians took place in Aleppo on February 28, 1919.

July, 23 1919

Turkish Nationalist Congress opens in Karin

Kyazim Karabekir and Colonel Mustafa Kemal as president opened the Turkish Nationalist Congress in Karin on July 23. Most of the participants were former Young Turks. On August 7, the congress adopted a decision on the integrity and immunity of Turkey.

1920

Jan 21 – Feb 12, 1920

Battle of Marash

A battle that lasted from Jan 21 to Feb 12, 1920, against the Turkish nationalists. The French forces withdrew on Feb 11, leaving Armenians vulnerable. Thousands of Armenians and French soldiers were killed by the Turkish troops.

January, 27 1920

Mustafa Kemal’s statement about the Young Turks

Mustafa Kemal denounced the Young Turks for their crimes against humanity, including deportations, massacres, burning of infants with petroleum, rape, and theft of property.

March, 23 1920

Khosrov bek Sultanov’s massacre of Armenians in Shushi

Over 30,000 Armenians were killed and the Armenian district of Shushi was destroyed and burnt down by the Turkish-Mustafa gang led by Khosrov bek Sultanov.

Mar 23 – Oct 15, 1920

Battle of Hadjin

A battle that started on March 23, 1920, against the joined forces of Turkish nationalists and Young Turks and ended on October 15, 1920.

April, 1st 1920

Battle of Aintap Begins

Amidst the Franco-Turkish conflict that occurred in Aintab between 1920 and 1921, Armenians found themselves in a precarious situation as they attempted to navigate a path between their previous oppressors and a French army that had invaded the region. In order to protect themselves, they were forced to take up arms and fight against hostile forces independently.

1921

February, 8th 1921

Battle of Aintap Ends

A heroic battle in Aintap (now Gaziantep) began on April 1, 1920, and ended on February 8, 1921. It appears that the well-known battle of Aintab was not just a struggle against an occupying force, but also a calculated effort by a group of Turkish individuals who had benefited from the Armenian genocide and sought to retain their ill-gotten gains. The resistance movement aimed to intimidate Armenian repatriates and make it impossible for them to return to their homes, ultimately forcing them to flee once again. Essentially, the local elite, which included landowners, industrialists, and civil-military bureaucrats, not only spearheaded the resistance but also financed it, all in an attempt to rid Aintab of its Armenian population.

July, 05 1921

Verdict of Young Turk leaders

4 out of 31 Young Turk leaders were condemned to death for war crimes, including organizing and implementing massacres of Armenians. The rest were sentenced to imprisonment for different terms. Some were charged “in absentia” as they had fled the country.

August, 04 1921

Autonomous Cilician Republic of Armenia

The Autonomous Cilician Republic of Armenia, led by Mihran Tamatyan, was proclaimed in Adana under French patronage but was dissolved due to a fallout of Anglo-French relations and French military authorization to defend Turkey’s position.

August, 10 1921

Treaty of Sevres

The victorious states of World War I signed a treaty with Turkey in Sevres, which recognized the Republic of Armenia as a free and independent state. Turkey waived its rights to Erzerum, Van, and Bitlis, leaving the border determination between Turkey and Armenia to the decision of the US President Woodrow Wilson.

September, 14 1921

Order for Armenians to leave Cilicia

The French authorities in Adana gave an order for Armenians refugees in Cilicia to leave for Istanbul, America, Marseille, Beirut, Dort-Yol, Iskenderun, or elsewhere. The order initially concerned the 14,000 Armenians under French patronage, but later was augmented to include all Armenians.

September, 23 1921

Turkish army attacks Armenia

The Turkish army attacked Armenia without declaring war and captured Alexandropoulos. The Turkish troops committed acts of pillage and slaughter in around 30 villages in the Alexandropoulos and Akhalkalaki regions.

November-December, 1921

Sovietization of Armenia

The Soviet Red Army entered Armenia at the end of November, and the ruling government of the short-lived independent Armenia relinquished authority to the Bolsheviks, leading to the Sovietization of Armenia on December 2.

1922

March 15 – July ,1922

“Nemesis” operation

Talaat, one of the organizers of the Armenian Genocide, was assassinated in Berlin by an Armenian student, Soghomon Tehlirian, which was the beginning of the “Nemesis” operation. The aim of the operation was to execute the death sentence of Young Turk leaders in Turkey. The operation was implemented by Armenian avengers seeking justice.

March, 16 1922

Treaty on Soviet-Turkish friendship and fraternity

Aliter homines, aliter philosophos loqui putas oportere? Sin aliud quid voles, postea. Mihi enim satis est, ipsis non satis. Negat enim summo bono afferre incrementum diem. Quod ea non occurrentia fingunt, vincunt Aristonem., you can change me anytime click here, A treaty on Soviet-Turkish friendship and fraternity was signed in Moscow, settling open questions regarding Armenia without heed to Armenia’s interest or historical justice.Aliter homines, aliter philosophos loqui putas oportere? Sin aliud quid voles, postea. Mihi enim satis est, ipsis non satis. Negat enim summo bono afferre incrementum diem. Quod ea non occurrentia fingunt, vincunt Aristonem., you can change me anytime click here,

March, 20 1922

Turkish-French Treaty of London

A treaty was signed between Turkey and France, resulting in the French troop pullout from Cilicia, lasting from December 1921 until January 4, 1922.

October, 13 1922

Treaty of Kars

A treaty was signed in Kars between Turkey and the newly-established Armenian Soviet Republic, Georgian Soviet Republic, and Azerbaijani Soviet Republic. The treaty was strongly anti-Armenian regarding territorial matters in Armenia.

October, 20 1922

Turkish-French treaty signed in Ankara

The Turkish-French treaty was signed in Ankara, resulting in the French troop pullout from Cilicia. The threat of new massacres led to… (information missing from source)

August, 04 1922

Armenian soldier kills Ottoman Minister of War

This is Timeline description, you can change me anytime click here During the clash between Soviet and anti-Soviet forces in Central Asia, the Armenian soldier Hakob Melkumov killed the Minister of War of the Ottoman Turkey – Enver.e me anytime click here

September, 09 1922

Massacre of Armenians and Greeks in Izmir

The Turkish army entered Izmir and massacred 10,000 Armenians and 100,000 Greeks. Three days later Izmir was set afire.

November, 1922

International conference on the Middle East ignores Armenia

An international conference commenced in Switzerland on the question of the Middle East, lasting until July 24, 1923. The delegation of the Armenian Republic was not allowed to take part, and the conference ultimately did not include any mention of Armenia or Armenians.

1923

March, 31 1923

Verdict of “not guilty” for Turks condemned by courts

Ankara announced a verdict of “not guilty” concerning all those Turks who had been condemned by military or other courts.

November, 30 1923

Deportation of Armenians and Greeks from Pontus

Deportation of Armenians and Greeks from Pontus.

September, 1923

Law prohibits Armenians from returning to Turkey

According to a new Turkish law, the return of Armenians to Turkey was prohibited.

1939

June, 1939

Armenians forced to leave their homes in Alexandrette annexation

The region of Alexandrette was annexed to Turkey, forcing around 40,000 Armenians to leave their homes and settle in Syria and Lebanon between July 16-23.

September, 1939

Hitler’s reference to Armenian genocide

A week before the invasion of Poland and the start of World War II, Adolph Hitler spoke of his orders “to kill without pity or mercy all men, women, and children of Polish race or language,” and concluded his remarks by asking, “Who, after all, speaks today of the extermination of the Armenians?”

1944

May, 1944

The term Genocide is created

Raphael Lemkin creates the term “genocide” and publishes the landmark book Axis Rule in Occupied Europe

1955

September 6–7, 1955

The Istanbul Pogrom of 1955

A series of violent attacks against the Armenian, Greek, and Jewish communities in Istanbul took place, resulting in the deaths of several people and the destruction of many homes and businesses.
The pogrom resulted in the displacement of thousands of people from the targeted communities, many of whom fled Turkey. The violence also marked the beginning of the end of the once-vibrant Greek and Armenian communities in Istanbul, which had existed in the city for centuries. Today, only a small fraction of these communities remain in the city. The Istanbul Pogrom remains a controversial and sensitive topic in Turkish history, and it continues to be debated and studied by scholars and activists.