The Union Movement In The Public Life Of Constantinople Armenians In 1918-1923

Abstract

The Armenians of Constantinople founded their first associations and societies at the end of the 17th and the beginning of the 18th century. Considering that the Armenian cultural center of Turkey was Constantinople, most of the Armenian cultural associations and societies were founded in this city. After the Armistice of Mudros, the Constantinople Armenians developed a union movement in almost all districts of the city, which inspired new strength and new faith in their efforts to revive the nation. One of the primary goals of the unions was to support displaced persons and orphans, provide them with shelter and create opportunities for them to participate in community life, remove the moral damage caused by the war. After the end of the First World War, the efforts of the unions and societies of the revival of the nation were partially successful, but they were interrupted after the entry of the Kemalists into Izmir in 1922. As a result of new political reservations, unions and associations were closed, and efforts to revive national life remained incomplete.