A look at the Bay Area Armenian Church in the United States and how their focus on Armenian history and the 'old country' may be inconsistent with life in the United States.
2,250 words (approx. 9 pages), 5 sources, 2006, $ 89.95
Abstract The Bay Area Armenian Church community is a close-knit one. It would seem that this community could hardly be otherwise, given the history that the people of Armenia have experienced. The Armenian genocide, the oppression of communism and the Soviet Union, and the fall of the Shah of Iran all had great impact on the Armenian Christian community in the United States. These interactions are frequently seen through social, religious, and political events that often revolve around the focal point of the "old country." Armenian history is a frequent topic at these events, as is the future of Armenia. Given this background information, this paper considers how such a focus on historical Armenia can be consistent with life in the United States. Related to the first question, the paper also considers how this history affects the modern Armenian faithful in the United States.
This paper focuses on the Armenian refugees that came to the U.S. in the 19th century, primarily to escape religious prosecution, while also discussing if and how they adapted to America's culture.
Abstract The writer of this paper details the events that resulted in the formation of a sizeable and significant Armenian presence in America. One reason the Armenians fled their country was that they would have faced extinction had they stayed. The writer contends and explains why the Armenian cultural influence is not as strong as that of other minorities in America. It is believed that some 150,000 Armenians currently reside in North America. This paper examines the various reasons Armenians have failed to have an impact on American culture while also discussing the fact that most young Armenians have quickly assimilated and accepted the more powerful culture of the U.S. The writer contends and explains why Armenian culture has had some influence on U.S. culture but that the reverse influence is far greater in magnitude and impact.
From the Paper "Armenian culture has had some influence on the US culture but the reversed influence is far greater in magnitude and impact. While we can say that the shape of American culture today is developed with the help of bits and pieces from other cultures including Armenian, there is no denying the fact that Armenian youth is no longer as interested in their own culture as they are in the more powerful American culture.
When they first came to the United States, things were different. Armenians were influential in the sense that they had a better grip on their roots, heritage and culture. They did not assimilate quickly and resisted it for some time. Since they were mostly concentrated in one area, they interacted more often and had their institutions built in the area."
Abstract This paper explains that, of the more than 500,000 Armenians in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, 400,000 Armenian-Americans live in Los Angeles, the largest contingent outside of Armenia itself. The author relates that, although they are considered a Middle Eastern people, Armenians are overwhelmingly Christian, both in their home country and in America, with its church related to the Oriental Orthodox Church, but separate. The paper relates that the Armenian-Americans were well positioned to survive the 1992 Los Angeles race riots because, although these merchants' original Armenian clientele had moved out to the suburbs, the merchants had treated their multi-racial new customers justly; those customers helped in patrolling to keep the Armenian shops from harm.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Long History of Ill Treatment Causes Migration
Current Characterization of Armenian Ethnicity in the United States
Conclusion
From the Paper "While most immigrants from the Middle Eastern nations had not been classified as "white," Armenians were. "This was accomplished despite the fact that other West and South Asian groups, such as Cypriots, Iranians, Syrians, and Indians were at various times legally excluded from the category 'white' even when they, like Armenians, could claim to be 'Caucasian' or appeared white." This has allowed Armenians to choose their attitudes concerning the indigenous racial problems they find in the United States. Armenians would 'readily amalgamate with the European and white races'; in other words, they could be counted upon to blend in, to melt into the pot."
Abstract This paper discusses the Armenian genocide that occurred at the hands of the Ottoman Empire from the start of the First World War. The paper describes the background of Armenian life and politics under the Ottoman rule. It then discusses the factors leading up to the genocide and how it was carried out by the Turks. The paper concludes by discussing the aftermath of the genocide and the subsequent denial by the Turks.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Background
The Armenian People and the Coming of the Ottomans
Prelude to Disaster
Armenian Life and Politics under Ottoman Rule
Genocide
A Taste of Things to Come: The Hamidian Massacres
The Great Slaughter
Aftermath
The Agony of Turkish Denial
From the Paper "It is now more than ninety years since the slaughter came to an end. Hundreds of thousands of Armenian men, women, and children suffered and died cruel and needless deaths at the hands of the Turks. The jingoistic authorities of World War One Turkey used military disaster as an excuse to exterminate an entire people. The state that remained after the final collapse of the Ottoman Empire, in the 1920s, was overwhelmingly Muslim and Turkish. Its new rulers did everything possible to extirpate memories of the past, to cause its citizens to believe that they had acted rightly, and steadfastly, in creating a new and purified Turkey that was stronger and better than the old multi-ethnic, multi-religious empire of the sultans. Today, children in Turkish schools are not taught about the Armenian Genocide... well, at least not in those terms. The massacre of one and a half million innocent souls is glossed over, washed free of its character as a global first in the "science" of ethnic cleansing."
Abstract This essay provides a quick overview of Armenian immigration and life in the United States with a special focus on the Armenian community in Philadelphia.
From the Paper "Survivors of centuries of persecution, Armenians have found safe haven in the United States and have prospered. Despite their success and their contributions to American life, Armenians remain a relatively unknown ethnic group. To be sure, Armenians in the United States are few in number when compared to such groups as the Irish and Italians, but their story is unique and deserves to be told."
Tags: caucasus, mountains, euphrates, river, cilicia, mediterranean, coast, turkey, massacres
Abstract The study provides an analysis of the causes and motives of Armenian genocide, an analysis of regional events such as World War I that may have influenced it, and an analysis of the international events that might have had an effect on it. The paper points out that the causes and motives of the genocide will likely differ depending on who is asking and who is asked, but historians agree that the Armenian people have experienced a fundamental clash of civilizations that has left them ravaged, demoralized and dispersed to countries around the world. The paper includes a map of Armenia and a huge amount of source material as appendices to the paper.
Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "The Armenian people were not the only ones to experience the ravages of the 19th and 20th centuries, of course, but it would seem that they have endured more than their fair share of violence throughout their lengthy history. In fact, U.S. government analysts concede that, "Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. During World War I in the western portion of Armenia, Ottoman Turkey instituted a policy of forced resettlement coupled with other harsh practices that resulted in an estimated 1 million Armenian deaths" (Armenia 2)."
Abstract In this paper, the author examines the painting "Armenian Genocide" that depicts the massacre of a group of Armenian women and children by a group of what is assumed to be Turkish soldiers. The writer discusses the assumption that apparent wealth and moral values go together. By analyzing the picture and the various scenes depicted in it, he contends that this assumption is false and that having great wealth does not, in itself, guarantee high moral values.
From the Paper "All of the swords have blood on them. These people were being murdered in brutal ways. We might even suspect from this picture that there was very little resistance from the women, and they were still murdered. Toward the left center of the picture it looks like there is a head of hair, probably a dead Armenian woman. Toward the very right there is another body lying on the ground with a man jabbing a sword downward at it with enormous force. The person on the ground looks like they might be tied up. There is some kind of rope around their ankles and wrists. If this is the case, they are completely defenseless. It's hard to imagine these Turkish men attacking a group much weaker than them and not even armed.
"It seems like the women in this picture have very little. They don't seem very materialistic compared to the men attacking them. The men are wearing very elaborate clothing and hats. Some of the men here even have more than one weapon. The women all look surprised and terrified. They seem distressed, almost as though they don't understand why this is all happening. We know that the reason for the dispute was a religion difference, but there is an evident distinction between the social classes as well. The Turkish were Muslim and the Armenians were Christian. It seems, however, in today's society that the Armenians would be called the "working class" from the interpretation of this picture. The Armenians look poor in this picture, but are far more moral than the Turkish."
Abstract This paper identifies the various circumstances that led to the mass genocide of Armenians. The author points out that this act of violence and bloodshed created significant challenges for those that sought to create freedom for many cultures. The paper stresses that those people who suffered from this act at the hands of the Turks will not be forgotten.
From the Paper "In the early 20th Century, many crimes were committed against human beings that created tragic circumstances for these individuals in many different ways. In 1915, over one million Christians were killed as a result of the Ottoman Empire's desire to rid Turkey of Christianity altogether (End Genocide 1). This act of genocide was historically significant, because it signaled the end of Armenian existence as it was known at the time, which was a substantial shift in the population within that region (End Genocide 1). In many ways, the Armenian Genocide serves as a startling reminder of the power of human beings to ultimately destroy each other through acts of murder and violence, all for the sake of religious beliefs. During the early 1900s, there was a wave of violence that spread across many parts of the world, particularly in conjunction with the World Wars."
Abstract Koriun was one of a few "historians" who have documented the time and early history of Armenia. This paper discusses this Armenian scholar of the 5th Century who was among those who first translated the Bible into Armenian. It examines his most valid contribution to Armenian literature - "The Life of Mashtots", a book based on the life of his mentor, St. Mashtots Vardapet.
From the Paper "Christian literature in the 5th Century was limited within Armenia. Elsewhere, church historians contributed their recordings regarding influential changes in Christian literature and relevant translations of doctrines. Writers like the 5th-century church historian Gennadius of Marseilles documented the life the life of Nicetas of Remesiana and his sacred musical influences to converted Serbians.
Such historians are of value to the period as by the end of the 5th Century, the Roman Empire was split in two, with Milan as one capital and Constantinople as another. During invasions in the east, vandals and Goth invaders destroyed many manuscripts and doctrines."
Abstract This paper argues that the two holocausts - the WWII holocaust against the Jews and the 1915 holocaust against the Armenians - were similar attempts at genocide involving expropriation and concentration. However, the Nazi policy of overt genocide and its industrial organization, mark it apart from the Armenian genocide.
Abstract This paper examines the atrocities that befall the Armenian people in the early 1920s and how the Turks responded and were responsible for these acts. It also looks at the historical and nationalistic background to the conflict and how the western world reacted.
From the Paper "During World War I, the Ottoman Empire began a mass deportation of Armenians from war zone areas to the desert. The Armenians had been split for centuries, with some in Russia and some in the Ottoman Empire. When the Ottomans joined in the war on the side of Germany and Austria-Hungary, they had to fight against the Russians. When war was declared in the beginning, Russia, like so many other countries, enlisted men through the draft. Many of those drafted were Armenians. The Armenians on the other side of the border begged the Ottomans to remain neutral, but agreed that they would do their civic duty to their country if the Empire joined the war. This meant that Armenians were fighting against Armenians, with some on Russia's side and some on the side of the Ottomans and Turks."
Abstract One of the oldest countries in the world is Armenia and it has a recorded history of about 3500 years. This paper examines the history of the country and the ethnic group which originated in the Caucasus and eastern Asia. The paper then discusses the history of the Armenian population in the United States and how it has contributed to American society.
From the Paper "The largest Armenian community, other than that in Armenia, exists in America. This Armenian American community is the erudite and affluent community. The triumph of Armenians in America has been credited to their expertise in business and crafts, their very high degree of literacy, an extensive history of minority status, and solid efforts. Due to the immense value their parents put on education, second and third generations bent towards the professions and teaching. Armenians have accomplished national and international reputation in the arts."
Tags: Hayasa-Azzi, George, Deukmejian, nationalism, church
An analysis of the First Crusade, which was the first global mobilization of a military force, as well as the first instance of combative regimes between two of the worlds largest religions.
Abstract This paper views certain extracts from eye witness accounts of the complexities of the march to and fall of Antioch and Jerusalem and its retainment as the Holy city as the birthplace of Christ and all Christendom in the First Crusade. With an aim of demonstrating the organizational change of the view of the people of the era and correct representation of the facts, two verbose quotations of authoritative figures who were present or involved in the Crusaders are included to aid enlightenment as to the situation from the eyes of observers.
From the Paper "Pope Urban II dealt with the concept of negating the commandment that "thy shalt not kill" in relation to what will come of those who fell on the battlefield fighting against the hoards of Moslems to retain Jerusalem. In a statement to the realm of Gaul he said: You have modestly expressed a desire to know whether those who have recently died in war, fighting in defence of the church of God and for the preservation of the Christian religion and of the state, or those who may in 'he future fall in the same cause, may obtain indulgence for their sins. We confidently reply that those who, out of love to the Christian religion, shall die in battle fighting bravely against pagans or unbelievers, shall receive eternal life. For the Lord has said through his prophet: "In whatever hour a sinner shall be converted, I will remember his sins no longer." By the intercession of St. Peter, who has the power of binding and loosing in heaven and on the earth, we absolve, as far as is permissible, all such and commend them by our prayers to the Lord."
From the Paper "The destruction of the Armenian population in eastern Anatolia by the Ottoman Turks in the early years of this century raises a number of ethical issues not only in terms of the ethical breach by the Turks in instituting such a policy but in terms of the inadequate response of the rest of the world to reports of what was taking place. Indeed, the world has tended to ignore this story ever since, leaving the remaining Armenian population in the world feeling victimized and ill-treated by the world community. At the same time, these circumstances had the ironic effect of strengthening the sense of national unity among the Armenian people. The shameful behavior of the rest of the world toward the genocide in Armenia arguably contributed to the coming of the worst case of genocide in history, the attempted..."
A look at the history of the Middle Eastern/Christian people including origins, religion, foreign interventions, architecture, literature, revolutionary efforts, heroes and myths.
4,050 words (approx. 16.2 pages), 18 sources, 1993, $ 135.95
From the Paper "Armenian culture has endured for many centuries despite the fact that Armenia has often been under the domination of foreign rulers. The nation is located between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, and it is surrounded by such powerful nations as Turkey, Iran, and Russia. Armenia sits on a rocky, mountainous plateau, and there are many mineral resources to be found in the area. Powerful nations have frequently tried to control Armenia because of its resources and also because its mountainous terrain provides a good defensive position. In this regard, it has been said that "the strategic geographic position of the Plateau has contributed to the turbulence that characterizes its history" (Hovannisian, 1967, p. 2). Despite this turbulent history, strong religious, linguistic, and social ties have kept Armenian culture alive into the present day."
