Armenian Genocide in Turkish History Textbooks

Abstract

This article is for examining representation of Turkish perspectives on the Armenian genocide in Turkish history textbooks. The Armenian genocide in Turkey is called the first genocide of the 20th century. Today, more than 20 countries around the world recognize the Armenian genocide, but Turkey denies it. In Turkish history textbooks, the Armenian Genocide was directly denied as well, emphasizing the sacrifice in the process of dispatch and settlement policy (Sevk ve İskan Kanunu) implemented in the First World War, and then highlighting the unilateral claim of the Armenians. In Turkish textbooks, the Armenians were one of the loyal citizens (Millet-i Sadıka) of the Ottoman Empire but were described as having constantly revolted for independence with the influence and support of the European powers. In particular Turkish textbooks state that Armenian militants in the 1970s were terrorizing Turkish diplomats and threatening Turkey. The consistent view of Armenian genocide in Turkish textbooks was the Ottoman Empire s inevitable response to the Armenian revolt. Since it was not intended for the extermination of Armenians but was sacrificed in the war, Armenian Genocide is described as a unilateral assertion by Armenians, not a fact.