Latest / The Story of Armenia: Survival Through Empires and Genocide — Fexingo History / The Armenian Genocide: Planning, Denial, and Legacy
Transcript
- Lucas: So earlier we covered the Hamidian massacres and the fedayee resistance, but the single most defining event for modern Armenia is the genocide of 1915. And I want to talk about how it was planned, because it didn't just happen spontaneously. Luna: Right, you hear the word 'genocide' thrown around, but what actually made this a genocide? Lucas: Exactly. First, the term itself was coined later by Raphael Lemkin, a Polish-Jewish lawyer who was horrified by what happened to Armenians. For him, the key was the intent to destroy a national group. And in 1915, the Ottoman government, led by the Three Pashas—Talat, Enver, and Cemal—made a deliberate decision to eliminate the Armenian population. Lucas: It wasn't just a reaction to wartime conditions. In fact, the outbreak of World War I gave them cover. They could claim the Armenians were a 'fifth column' supporting Russia, and that allowed them to deport entire communities. Luna: But the deportations themselves were the mechanism for mass murder, weren't they? Lucas: Exactly. The Ottoman authorities issued orders for deportation, but the destinations were the Syrian desert, specifically Deir ez-Zor. People were marched for weeks without food or water, and they were attacked by Kurdish irregulars and the Special Organization, the Teşkilat-ı Mahsusa. These were paramilitary units formed specifically to carry out the killings. Lucas: Estimates vary, but around 1.5 million Armenians died. Men were often separated and shot immediately; women and children were forced into death marches. There were also massacres at places like Harput, Bitlis, and Erzurum. The scale was staggering. Luna: And there were instances of resistance, right? Like at Van and Musa Dagh. Lucas: The international response was limited. Some missionaries and diplomats—like US Ambassador Henry Morgenthau—sent reports, but the US and Europe were focused on the war. After the war, the Allies held trials in Constantinople, and several Ottoman officials were convicted. But the sentences were never fully carried out, and many fled, including Talat and Enver. Luna: And then came the denial. Turkey still denies it was a genocide, right? Lucas: That's right. The modern Turkish state, under Atatürk and later governments, has consistently denied that there was a systematic plan to exterminate Armenians. They argue that deaths were due to wartime conditions or that the numbers are inflated. But the evidence—Ottoman records, telegrams from Talat, survivor testimony—is overwhelming. Lucas: The genocide also had a profound impact on the Armenian diaspora. Survivors fled to all corners of the world—the Middle East, Europe, the Americas—and built new communities. That's why the diaspora is so large and politically active, pushing for recognition. Luna: It's a painful legacy that still affects relations between Turkey and Armenia today. Lucas: Absolutely. There's still no diplomatic relations, the border is closed, and the genocide remains a major point of contention. But for Armenians, remembering is a way of honoring the victims and ensuring it never happens again. Luna: And it's worth noting that the term 'genocide' itself came from this history. Lemkin said he coined it partly because of the Armenian case. Lucas: Right. He once said 'I became interested in genocide because it happened to the Armenians.' So this event is not just a part of Armenian history, but a cornerstone of international human rights law. Lucas: All this deep research we do, it takes time and resources. And one thing we're proud of is that Fexingo History is completely ad-free. No sponsors, no commercials. We want you to hear the story without interruptions. Luna: Yeah, and if that model works for you, the best way to support it is through a small donation. There's a link in the show notes—buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. Lucas: Every bit helps us keep doing what we do. But no pressure—we're glad you're listening either way. Lucas: So to wrap up, the Armenian Genocide remains a defining trauma and a rallying point for Armenians worldwide. The fight for recognition continues, and every year on April 24, Armenians commemorate the victims. It's a somber but essential part of understanding Armenia's story. Luna: And one that's still unfolding, with new scholarship and political developments. Lucas: Exactly. So that's our look at the genocide. In future episodes, we'll explore more about the diaspora and the modern republic. Thanks for joining us.