The Armenian Genocide

Abstract

After years of neglect, beginning in 1913 the Russian government redirected its attention to the Armenian Question in order to exert a greater influence on the increasingly pro-German Ittihadist leadership in Constantinople. The rapidly escalating tensions among the European powers convinced Russian authorities of the urgency to engage in Ottoman affairs so as not to permit Britain, France, and especially Germany wider involvement in matters of Ottoman political economy. While the Turkish-German alliance solidified, Count Illarion I. Vorontsov-Dashkov, reportedly at the urging of Catholicos Gevorg V Surenyants (1911–1930) of the Mother See at Echmiadzin, advised Tsar Nicholas II to revive the Armenian Question and to improve relations with the Armenians. Foreign Minister Sergei Sazonov was accordingly instructed to promise the catholicos Russian support for reforms in the Ottoman Empire. These efforts led to the “Final Reform Plan” of February 8, 1914, which was signed between Russia and Turkey and supported by the western powers.¹ The plan provided for the creation of two large provinces,one comprised of the Trebizond, Sivas, and Erzerum vilayets (provinces) and the other consisting of the Van, Bitlis, Kharpert, and Diarbekir provinces. It also provided for the appointment of a European inspector-general for each province.² Grand Vizier Said Halim, elated by the conclusion of the negotiations, reportedly sacrificed two sheep and two donated by the Russian chargé d’affaires, Konstantin Gulkevich, to celebrate the “epoch-making event.”³ The reform act, Gulkevich declared, marked “the dawn of a new and happier era in the history of the Armenian people!”⁴