Steps Leading To The Armenian Genocide

A Turkish Boycott

Feb 21, 1914

A Turkish boycott of Armenian businesses is declared and followed through.

Spying on Armenians

Feb 26, 1914

Turkish police and spies provide the names, biographies, and pictures of two thousand leading Armenians.

Armenian Stores

Aug 18, 1914

Armenian-owned stores are looted and vandalized. 1,080 shops are burned to the ground.

Turning in Weapons

Sep 27, 1914

The Armenian population is ordered to turn in all weapons including all types of knives.

Armenian Leaders Arrested

Oct 10, 1914

Armenian notables are called to a meeting and arrested there.

More Arrested

Oct 17, 1914

Leaders of an Armenian nationalist party organization are arrested.

Untrue Statements

Nov 13, 1914

Unfounded accusations are launched against the Armenians that they had revolted.

Turks Taking Over

Nov 23, 1914

Armenian churches and school are taken over by the Turks and used as Turkish barracks for their army.

Special Organizations

Nov 26, 1914

The Special Organization (mobile killing squads) are formed and given weapons such as rifles.

Armenians Put To Work

Dec 6, 1914

Some Armenians are taken and used as porters of Turkish army supplies. (They were forced to hold heavy baggage in the worst winter conditions).

Crosses with Crescents

Dec 23, 1914

Turks replace Armenian religious crosses with crescents.

Armenian Bakers Beaten

Jan 5, 1915

Turks said that Armenian bakers were poisoning bread and feeding it to the Turkish army. These rumors false but they were cruelly beaten anyway.

Small Attacks

Feb 11, 1915

Turkish officials start to attack Armenians on the streets for no reason. Looting, murder, and rape begin in small amounts.

Armenians Out Of Army

Mar 1, 1915

Armenians are deprived of their uniforms and weapons in the army.

The Announcement

Mar 3, 1915

A dispatch from the Central Committee of Turkey is released announcing the decision to exterminate the Armenians.

Genocide Is On It's Way

Mar 13, 1915

Turkish leaders tell the public how Armenians are the enemy and must be destroyed. Armenians are arrested in all villages.

Larger Attacks

Mar 19, 1915

The remaining Armenian notables and leaders are arrested and six Armenian soldiers are publicy hung in town.

Mass Beatings

Mar 30, 1915

Armenians start to fall victims of mass beatings and tortures.

The Last Stage

Apr 23, 1915

Deportation of the Armenians begin. They are sent on death marches with the purpose of dieing. Armenians are now being killed everyday in large amounts.

Genocide

May 20, 1915

55,000 Armenians are already dead. The genocide has offically began.