The maturation of the idea of ​​autonomy for Western Armenia in 1876-1878.

Abstract

The aspirations of Western Armenians until 1876 were limited only to requests and demands for basic civil rights. However, the Balkan crisis of 1876-1878 brought about a change in Armenian political thought. The defeat of the Turks in the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-1878 created favorable conditions for Western Armenians to gain autonomy. In order to secure the future of Western Armenians, the Armenian leadership was drawing up various programs, trying to gain the favor of England, Russia, and the Sultan to make them a reality. Petitions for moderate reforms in Armenia were transformed into the idea of ​​autonomy in this period, and in some cases, the idea of ​​independence even began to be discussed.

However, neither the Turkish, Russian, or British authorities were interested in satisfying Armenian demands, and the Treaty of San Stefano and the Treaty of Berlin did not even mention the autonomy of Armenia. The Balkan crisis of 1876-1878, the Russo-Turkish War, and the discussions of the Eastern Question with the participation of major international actors and the internationalization of the Armenian Question played an important role in the change and development of Armenian political thought. If previously the Armenian elite sought to ensure civil rights for the Armenian population in Western Armenia, in the new situation one of the main tasks was declared to be the creation of Armenian autonomy, which would lead to independence in the future. The transformation of Armenian ideological and political thinking heralded a new era, the final result of which was to be the creation of an independent Armenia.