Rusların 1915 Yılında Van Vilayeti ve Çevresinden Ermenileri Kafkasya’ya Göç Ettirmesi
Russian’s Moving of Armenians from Van Vilayet and Environs to the Caucasus in 1915

Summary/Abstract: Following the founding of the new states with the aim of reaching the Mediterranean in the BalkansRussia realizing the difficulty of this task began seeking for ways. Russia planned to reach the Mediterraneanvia Eastern Anatolia. To this end she, on one hand, tried to win the Armenians and the Kurdsover. On the other, she provoked them against each other and incited enmity between the Armeniansand the Kurds. As a result of the Russian exertions some of the Kurdish tribes, such as the Bedirhans,approached Russia. Armenians, meanwhile, having decided to take their position in the ranks of theRussian Army began conscripting voluntary Armenian youth in Tbilisi. Upon the developments, someArmenians deserting the Ottoman Army to join the Russian Army, and some staying the Ottomanterritories launched rebellions. Owing to the rebellions Russian Army easily marched over Van and occupiedMalazgirt on 11 May 1915, Gevaş on 18 May and Van the city on 20 May 1915 with ease.What is more, the key to the city was presented to the Russian General Nikolai Nikolayevich Yudenichby the Armenians living in the city. As a result of the gesture, Russia allowed the Armenians to set up aprovisionary government in Van. Later the Ottoman Army, with a counter operation took the Russianoccupied territories of Malazgirt, Adilcevaz and Karaköse back. Russians, in return, took some decisions.One such decision was the moving of the Armenians living in the region to the Caucasus. This studyconcentrates on the causes and effects of the forced removal of the Armenians by the Russians. Moreover,the study seeks to find an answer to the number of the Armenians moved and the hardships they facedon their route to the Caucasus through the documents found in the Ottoman archives and in the relevantArmenian literature.

• Details
• Contents