The Cilician Massacre of 1909 – From the History of Killings of Armenians in Asia Minor

The cover of the 659th issue of the “Journal des Voyages” reads: “Mass killings in Asia Minor, Adana, 1909. The Turks surrounded the house of a noble woman who had sheltered several Armenian refugees.”

The article tells about the killings of Armenians by Turks, Kurds, and Circassians in the area of Aleppo.

The Turkish revolution of 1908 and the fall of the sultan’s dominion were met with glee. All the oppressed and penniless masses were hopefully looking forward to their future. Albanians, Macedonians, Armenians, and Arabs all dreamed of acquiring their lawful rights, as well as of secure life in the country.

In order to consolidate their victory, the Young Turks made populistic claims and maintained close connections with political organizations yet showed restraint and didn’t go beyond general statements in the national question. The Young Turks also urged everyone to participate in their struggle for the transformation of the “Ottoman homeland.”