| Armenians in Turkey: 1915-1919 1, 500, 00 Deaths The History Place - Genocide in the 20th Century The first genocide of the 20th Century occurred when two million Armenians
living in Turkey were eliminated from their historic homeland through forced
deportations and massacres. For three thousand years, a thriving Armenian community had existed
inside the vast region of the Middle East bordered by the Black, Mediterranean
and Caspian Seas. The area, known as Asia Minor, stands at the crossroads
of three continents; Europe, Asia and Africa. Great powers rose and fell
over the many centuries and the Armenian homeland was at various times
ruled by Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Mongols. Despite the repeated invasions and occupations, Armenian pride and cultural
identity never wavered. The snow-capped peak of Mount Ararat became its
focal point and by 600 BC Armenia as a nation sprang into being. Following
the advent of Christianity, Armenia became the very first nation to accept
it as the state religion. A golden era of peace and prosperity followed
which saw the invention of a distinct alphabet, a flourishing of literature,
art, commerce, and a unique style of architecture. By the 10th century,
Armenians had established a new capital at Ani, affectionately called the
'city of a thousand and one churches.' In the eleventh century, the first Turkish invasion of the Armenian
homeland occurred. Thus began several...
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