What were the economic motivations behind the Young Turks' decision to exterminate the Armenians
Introduction
The Young Turks, particularly the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP), had several economic motivations behind their decision to exterminate the Armenians during the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1916. These motivations were intertwined with their nationalist ideology and desire to create a homogeneous Turkish state.
Elimination of Economic Competition
The Armenian population in the Ottoman Empire had achieved significant economic success, which became a source of resentment among the Muslim Turkish population:
the Armenians were overrepresented in commerce and formed a substantial part of the empire’s middle class.
Many Armenians had become successful merchants, artisans, and even bankers.
The economic disparity between Armenians and the overall Turkish population led to Armenians being labeled as the “Jews of the Orient”.
The Young Turks saw the elimination of the Armenian population as a way to remove economic competition and create opportunities for Muslim Turks.
Creation of a Turkish Muslim Middle Class
The CUP aimed to transform the Ottoman economy by:
Implementing a “National Economy” (Millî İktisat) policy to create a strong Turkish Muslim middle class.
Encouraging the rise of Muslim merchants, particularly in port cities like Smyrna (Izmir) and Constantinople.
Using the genocide as an opportunity to transfer wealth and property from Armenians to Muslims.
Confiscation of Armenian Assets
The genocide provided an opportunity for large-scale economic plunder:
The Ottoman government passed a series of Abandoned Properties Laws to manage and redistribute property confiscated from Armenians.
Perpetrators were entitled to a third of Armenian movable property, with another third going to local authorities and the last third to the CUP.
The confiscation of Armenian assets continued well into the second half of the twentieth century.
Detailed Facts which Turkey denies
The confiscation of Armenian properties by the Ottoman and Turkish governments encompassed the seizure of assets, properties, and lands belonging to the Armenian community within the nation. This practice commenced with the Hamidian massacres and reached its zenith during the Armenian genocide, persisting without interruption until 1974. A considerable portion of these confiscations during the Armenian genocide transpired following the deportation of Armenians to the Syrian Desert, with the government classifying their forsaken goods and assets as "abandoned." Nearly all properties owned by Armenians residing in their ancestral homeland in Western Armenia were confiscated and subsequently redistributed among the local Muslim population. during the Armenian genocide were made after the Armenians were deported into the Syrian Desert with the government declaring their goods and assets left behind as "abandoned".
Financing the War Effort
The Ottoman Empire was struggling financially during World War I
The government was running out of funds needed to wage war.
Confiscated Armenian wealth was used to fund deportations, resettlement of Muslims, and other government spending, including military expenses.
Long-term Economic Transformation
The economic motivations of the genocide had far-reaching consequences:
The destruction of the Armenian bourgeoisie made room for a Turkish and Muslim middle class.
The seizure of Armenian wealth formed much of the basis for the industry and economy of the post-1923 Turkish Republic.
Many lower-class Turks were able to rise to the middle class by taking over Armenian businesses and properties.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the economic motivations behind the Young Turks’ decision to exterminate the Armenians were rooted in a desire to eliminate economic competition, create a Turkish Muslim middle class, finance their war efforts, and fundamentally transform the Ottoman economy. These economic goals were intrinsically linked to their nationalist ideology and vision for a homogeneous Turkish state
