Western Armenia in the plans of Russian and Armenian diplomats in 1914–1915
Keywords:
World War I, Russia, Western Armenia, Cilicia, Ottoman Empire, Armenian autonomy, Armenian genocideAbstract
The article examines the course of discussions about the future of Armenia in the Russian political and military elite in 1914–1915. It is noted that the policy of the Russian Empire during this period was very dynamic due to the development of military events and the ambitions of the allies. The formation of the empire’s policy was determined by the difference in positions of statesmen, as well as the specifics of public opinion. It is emphasised that the main goal of the state was the capture of Constantinople and the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits. Plans for Armenia were secondary. Until the middle of 1915, the Russian authorities did not rule out the creation of Armenian autonomy by uniting Western Armenia and Cilicia, and in some cases even considered that this decision corresponded to the interests of the empire. However, secret agreements and contradictions between the powers, especially after the almost complete extermination of Armenians in Western Armenia and Cilicia, removed the idea of creating an Armenian autonomy from the agenda.
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