Playlist: The Armenian Genocide-Educator's Edition
During World War I, the Ottoman Empire exterminated more than one million members of its minority Armenian population. This program, narrated by Julianna Margulies, unflinchingly addresses the Armenian genocide, a dark and long-suppressed chapter in 20th-century history. Rarely seen footage, uncensored photographs, excerpts from eyewitness reports and newspaper articles, and interviews with leading experts, relatives of survivors and perpetrators, and others provide viewers with a vivid image of the methodical elimination of Armenians that haunts Turkey to this day. Turkey’s ongoing denial of the genocide, calling it instead an Armenian insurrection or a Turkish civil war between Muslims and Christians, is also explored—a hot-button issue as the country positions itself for entry into the European Union. Bonus material (DVD only) includes additional interviews and film clips. Some images may be objectionable. (57 minutes + bonus material)
Armenians originate from Anatolia (Turkey). The King of Armenia converted to Christianity in 301 BC. In the 15th century, the nation was absorbed into the Ottoman Empire. At the end of the 19th century, Armenians demand equality with Muslims.
The Sultan's soldiers murder hundreds of Armenians in 1895 to quell reform movements. Within several years, this army murders tens of thousands of Armenians in what has become called the Hamidian massacres of 1894-1896.
In 1908, the Young Turks come to power in the Ottoman Empire. Nearly 75% of the Ottoman Empire is lost in the First and Second Balkan Wars. Fearing they would lose everything, the Turks vigorously defend Anatolia. Animosity grows against Christians.
In 1913, a radical nationalist wing of the Young Turks gain full control of the Ottoman government with a violent takeover. The new ruling order reforms education in order to produce young Turkish nationalists--in the worst sense of the word.
In 1914, the Young Turk government sees the Armenians as threats to the state. They massacre the Armenian soldiers. This is the first stage of the Armenian genocide. In 1915, they imprison and massacre intellectuals and leaders.
Deportation of Armenians is ordered by the central government. Distraught parents give their children away, and many adults travel with poison to kill themselves if necessary. On the march, tens of thousands perish.
An eyewitness account of the 1915 Armenian exile describes the horror and death the Christians experienced. Turkish fanatics design killing squads to exterminate the Christian Armenians. Ordinary citizens become murderers.
Christian and Armenian-hating authorities choose torturous means to murder their enemies. Clerics attract the hatred of the Turks. Children are raped, and young girls are placed into Turkish harems.
As the 1915 massacre of Armenians continued, American statesmen, writers, and poets speak out against the genocide. U.S. consuls posted in the region report murders, starvation, and cruelties suffered by nearly 1 million Armenians.
In 1919, the British push the Turks to hold war crimes tribunals for the Armenian genocide. The authors of the genocide are sentenced to death. Ultimately, all three are killed within 3 years.
Ataturk embarks on a Westernization program, renames the city Istanbul, stimulates a social revolution, and builds up industry. European leaders court Ataturk's new government. The Turks easily let go of their memories of genocide.
In Turkey today, the official state position on the Armenian genocide--shared by officials and academics--is one of active denial. In 2000, the official statement is that Armenians were relocated away from a war zone.
Turkish officials continue to deny that the Ottoman government committed genocide. History books do not reflect the truth, and most Turks remain ignorant of the facts. The Turks assert that the UN definition of genocide does not fit within their historical purview.
In recent years, an increasing number of Turkish intellectuals break with the state and speak out against national denial of the Armenian genocide. Journalists, newscasters, educators, and more, all instinctively follow the state position.
Armenian efforts for genocide recognition also include a violent component that attempted assassination against Turkish diplomats. The official denial by state officials is printed in textbooks and taught in Turkey's schools.
Turkish deniers of the Armenian genocide are becoming the social and cultural equivalent of Holocaust deniers. Turkish denial takes away the descendents of genocide victims to grieve for their personal and cultural losses.