THE POLICY OF LAND DEPRIVATION OF THE ARMENIANS OF ADANA PROVINCE BY THE OTTOMAN AUTHORITIES IN 1910-1914

Abstract

The Armenian-owned lands in Western Armenian provinces, Cilicia and other Armenian- inhabited places were always targeted by the Ottoman authorities, and since the 19th century were gradually allocated to Turks, Kurds and Circassians. The confiscation of the Armenian lands not only improved the situation of Turks or other Muslims, but it also changed the demographic picture of the country. Deprived of their land, the Armenians found themselves in worse social conditions and had to emigrate. By emptying the Armenian provinces, the Government of the ottomans pursued a vital goal, namely to get rid of the Armenian element or to reduce the number of the Armenian population so as they did not form a majority anywhere. Getting rid of the Armenians, the Ottoman authorities gained territory for the survival of their state, which would be predominantly inhabited by Turks.