Armenia's historical milestones between 1918-1923.

The Diaspora Armenian press posts vehement rebuttals against Armenia intent of calling its history education as History of Armenia. I find it amusing because the overwhelming majority of Diaspora Armenians are not taught the rudimentary modern day history pertaining to Armenia and Armenians . Here is  some treaties between 1919 - 1923  that pertain to Turks and Armenians. Vaհe H Apelian

Sunday, March 3, 1918: Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Eighty-six days before Armenia declared independence, on March 3, 1918, the new Bolshevik government of Soviet Russia and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire), signed the treaty of Best-Litovsk that ended Russia's participation in World War I.

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, formally transferred the Armenian-populated regions of Kars, Ardahan, and Batum to the Ottoman Empire, effectively ending Russia's control and exposing Armenians to Turkish domination. This led to the collapse of the Transcaucasian Federal Republic, which had briefly been formed by Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, and allowed for Turkish invasions into Armenian territories. While the treaty intended to resolve Russia's role in World War I, it had devastating consequences for the Armenians, as they lost territory 

 

Tuesday, May 28, 1918: Establishment of the Republic of Armenia

On Tuesday, May 28, 1918, the Armenian National Council declared the independence of Armenia, marking the establishment of the First Republic of Armenia. This declaration came after the collapse of the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic (TDFR) and a pivotal victory for Armenian forces at the Battle of Sardarabad, which halted the Ottoman invasion and ensured the survival of the Armenian nation. Turkey was first to recognize the Republic of Armenia.

Tuesday, June 4, 1918: The Treaty of Batumi

A week after founding the Republic of Armenia, the Ottoman Empire and the newly independent First Republic of Armenia, signed the Treaty of Batumi. Turkey recognized Armenia's independence but the treaty was a devastating blow, forcing Armenia to cede large territories and submit to a significantly reduced military and restricted sovereignty under duress and overwhelming Ottoman military pressure following the collapse of the Russian Empire. The treaty left Armenia with a severely truncated, landlocked territory, including (10,400 square km) areas like Yerevan and Etchmiadzin.

Wednesday, October 30, 1918: Armistice of Mudros

Armenians did not formally participate in the Armistice of Mudros. The agreement was made exclusively between representatives of the victorious Allied Powers (represented by Great Britain) and the defeated Ottoman Empire. It enabled the Allied powers to begin partitioning the Ottoman Empire.  The armistice of Mudros led to the Treaty of Sèvres, the little ally to the allied powers. 

Tuesday, August 10, 1920: Treaty of Sevres.

The Treaty of Sèvres promised a post-World War I independent Armenia with a territory on the Armenian Highland, including provinces like Van and Erzerum, and an outlet to the Black Sea. However, this treaty was never implemented because it was rejected by the emerging Turkish nationalist movement led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who waged a war against the Allied Powers and established the Republic of Turkey. Consequently, the Treaty of Sèvres was replaced by the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, which made no provisions for an Armenian state and set back the prospects for Armenians.

 

Thursday, December 2, 1920: Soviets took power.

The 4th PM of the first Republic of Armenia Simon Vratsian was in office between November 23, 1920 to December 2 of 1920 when he ceded power to the Bolsheviks. Armenia became part of the Russian dominated Soviet Union. 

Thursday, December 2, 1920: The Treaty of Alexandropol

The Treaty of Alexandropol, was signed on December 1920. It was a devastating accord between the First Republic of Armenia and Turkey. For Armenia, the treaty was a capitulation that forced the country to cede over half of its territory, including the Kars region, renounce the Treaty of Sèvres, and accept severe military restrictions that left it a vulnerable, de facto protectorate of Turkey. The treaty was never ratified due to Armenia's Sovietization. The treaty's terms, particularly concerning borders, were largely confirmed by the subsequent Treaty of Kars. 

 

Thursday 13 October 1921: The Treaty of Kars

The Treaty of Kars was a treaty that established the borders between Turkey and the three Transcaucasian Soviet republics, which are now the independent republics of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. The treaty was signed in the city of Kars. 

Saturday, June 24, 1923: The Treaty of Lausanne 

The Treaty of Lausanne in 1923 is the granddaddy of all Turkish Armenian treaties. The treaty effectively ended the Armenian Cause / Hai Tahd, by abolishing the Treaty of Sèvres, which had envisioned an independent Armenia. While the treaty did not explicitly mention Armenians, it granted amnesty to perpetrators of past crimes, including those related to the Armenian Genocide, and codified the borders of modern Turkey consolidating Turkey's control over the historic Armenian lands and resulting in expulsion of the Armenians and the confiscation of their properties.