From Persecution to Identity: Transformation of Armenian Communities in the Middle East in the Context of Political and Social Change

This article examines the origins of the emergence of Armenian communities in the Middle East in the 20th century, including the reasons that influenced the decision of the Young Turk state to switch to a large-scale persecution and genocide in 1915 throughout the Ottoman Empire against its Armenian population. The purpose of the work is to consider the main stages, factors and reasons that influenced the formation of Armenian communities in the Middle East. The study is based on the civilizational approach and the principle of constructivism; the principles of historicism and objectivity. It is noted that the impetus that led to the creation of the Armenian diaspora was the Armenian genocide carried out by the Ottoman Empire; initially, this policy was based on the ideology of pan-Islamism, but as a result of socio-political changes, the policy of persecution began to rely on pan-Turkism. The article highlights the economic, political, religious and ethnic reasons for the policy of genocide and forced assimilation, which became the basis for the further powerful rise of the national identity of Armenians in the host countries, which subsequently became the foundation for the formation of the entire diaspora. It is noted that the process of forming renewed diasporas developed in two directions: either refugees joined the already established diaspora structures, or founded completely new diasporas consisting exclusively of Armenians who fled from the Ottoman Empire. It is also specified that the main goal of the Armenian diaspora at the analyzed stage is the preservation of culture and language, as well as the education of youth within the framework of their own traditions: despite persecution, legal difficulties and socio-economic problems, Armenian refugees settled in a number of Middle Eastern countries.