Armenian Question
Encyclopedia
The term "Armenian Question" as used in European history
, became common place among diplomatic circles and in the popular press after the Congress of Berlin
; that in like Eastern Question
, refers to powers of Europe
's involvement to the Armenian subjects of the Ottoman Empire
beginning with the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. However in specific terms, the Armenian question refers to the protection and the freedoms of Armenians from their neighboring communities. The "Armenian question" explains the forty years of Armenian-Ottoman history in the context of English, German, Russian politics between 1877-1914.
The "Armenian Question", like the "Eastern Question
", remained a factor (issue) in international politics, first with Great Britain and Germany; then Russia taking on the role of Ottoman Armenians protector (see protectorate of missions
).
) and the Balkan nationalities, aided by European arms and diplomacy began their struggles for their liberation, (see: national awakening in the Balkans). Most Armenians lived in provinces bordering Russia, and not any other European states. Russia—became increasingly involved in Ottoman affairs using the "capitulations of the Ottoman Empire
" established after the Russian intervention in 1877-1878. Russia gained control over a large part of Armenia, and became the champion of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire (a protectorate clause). Russia was also instrumental in obtaining the independence of Romania (see:National awakening of Romania
) and Serbia. Beginning with the Congress of Berlin
, Armenian question become a pivotal factor, in which sometimes Russia had to step back as a result of the English and German pressure, or vice versa.
and Patriarch Nerses II of Constantinople sent Catholicos Mgrdich Khrimian to Berlin to present the case for the Armenians. In his famous patriotic speech “The Paper Ladle,” Mgrdich Khrimian advised Armenians to take the national awakening of Bulgaria
as a model as the hopes of the Armenian people for self-determination
were ignored by the European community of nations.
History of Europe
History of Europe describes the history of humans inhabiting the European continent since it was first populated in prehistoric times to present, with the first human settlement between 45,000 and 25,000 BC.-Overview:...
, became common place among diplomatic circles and in the popular press after the Congress of Berlin
Congress of Berlin
The Congress of Berlin was a meeting of the European Great Powers' and the Ottoman Empire's leading statesmen in Berlin in 1878. In the wake of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78, the meeting's aim was to reorganize the countries of the Balkans...
; that in like Eastern Question
Eastern Question
The "Eastern Question", in European history, encompasses the diplomatic and political problems posed by the decay of the Ottoman Empire. The expression does not apply to any one particular problem, but instead includes a variety of issues raised during the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, including...
, refers to powers of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
's involvement to the Armenian subjects of the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
beginning with the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. However in specific terms, the Armenian question refers to the protection and the freedoms of Armenians from their neighboring communities. The "Armenian question" explains the forty years of Armenian-Ottoman history in the context of English, German, Russian politics between 1877-1914.
The "Armenian Question", like the "Eastern Question
Eastern Question
The "Eastern Question", in European history, encompasses the diplomatic and political problems posed by the decay of the Ottoman Empire. The expression does not apply to any one particular problem, but instead includes a variety of issues raised during the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, including...
", remained a factor (issue) in international politics, first with Great Britain and Germany; then Russia taking on the role of Ottoman Armenians protector (see protectorate of missions
Protectorate of missions
Protectorate of Missions is a term for the right of protection exercised by a Christian power in an 'infidel' country with regard to the persons and establishments of the missionaries...
).
The origin
During the 18th century Ottoman Empire sustained extensive territorial losses (see: decline of the Ottoman EmpireDecline of the Ottoman Empire
The Decline of the Ottoman Empire is the period that followed after the Stagnation of the Ottoman Empire in which the empire experienced several economic and political setbacks. Directly affecting the Empire at this time was Russian imperialism...
) and the Balkan nationalities, aided by European arms and diplomacy began their struggles for their liberation, (see: national awakening in the Balkans). Most Armenians lived in provinces bordering Russia, and not any other European states. Russia—became increasingly involved in Ottoman affairs using the "capitulations of the Ottoman Empire
Capitulations of the Ottoman Empire
Capitulations of the Ottoman Empire were contracts between the Ottoman Empire and European powers, particularly France. Turkish capitulations, or ahdnames, were generally bilateral acts whereby definite arrangements were entered into by each contracting party towards the other, not mere...
" established after the Russian intervention in 1877-1878. Russia gained control over a large part of Armenia, and became the champion of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire (a protectorate clause). Russia was also instrumental in obtaining the independence of Romania (see:National awakening of Romania
National awakening of Romania
During the period of Austro-Hungarian rule in Transylvania and Ottoman suzerainty over Wallachia and Moldavia, most Romanians were treated as second-class citizens in their country...
) and Serbia. Beginning with the Congress of Berlin
Congress of Berlin
The Congress of Berlin was a meeting of the European Great Powers' and the Ottoman Empire's leading statesmen in Berlin in 1878. In the wake of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78, the meeting's aim was to reorganize the countries of the Balkans...
, Armenian question become a pivotal factor, in which sometimes Russia had to step back as a result of the English and German pressure, or vice versa.
Effects of Congress of Berlin
The Armenian National AssemblyArmenian National Assembly (Ottoman Empire)
Armenian National Assembly was the governing body of the Armenian Millet established by Armenian National Constitution of 1863 under Ottoman Empire....
and Patriarch Nerses II of Constantinople sent Catholicos Mgrdich Khrimian to Berlin to present the case for the Armenians. In his famous patriotic speech “The Paper Ladle,” Mgrdich Khrimian advised Armenians to take the national awakening of Bulgaria
National awakening of Bulgaria
Bulgarian nationalism emerged in the early 19th century under the influence of western ideas such as liberalism and nationalism, which trickled into the country after the French revolution, mostly via Greece, although there were stirrings in the 18th century. Russia, as fellow Orthodox Slavs, could...
as a model as the hopes of the Armenian people for self-determination
Self-determination
Self-determination is the principle in international law that nations have the right to freely choose their sovereignty and international political status with no external compulsion or external interference...
were ignored by the European community of nations.