Greek genocide

Quick Facts: Who was Greek genocide?

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Greek genocide

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Systematic killing of the Christian Greek population in Anatolia by the Ottoman Empire (1912-1923).

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Greek genocide (Greek: Γενοκτονία των Ελλήνων, romanized: Genoktonía ton Ellínon), which included the Pontic genocide, was the systematic killing of the indigenous Christian Ottoman Greek population of Anatolia because of their religion and ethnicity, which was carried out between 1912 and 1923. This period extended across the Balkan Wars (1912–1913), World War I and its aftermath (1914–1919), and the Turkish War of Independence (1919–1923). The genocide was perpetrated by the government of the Ottoman Empire led by the Three Pashas and by the Government of the Grand National Assembly led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The genocide included massacres, forced deportations involving death marches through the Syrian Desert, expulsions, summary executions, and the destruction of Eastern Orthodox cultural, historical, and religious monuments. Several hundred thousand Ottoman Greeks died during this period.

Career & Major Achievements

Most of the refugees and survivors fled to Greece (adding over a quarter to the prior population of Greece). Some, especially those in Eastern provinces, took refuge in the neighbouring Russian Empire. Some who remained organized the resistance to the genocide. By late 1922, most of the Greeks of Asia Minor had either fled or had been killed. Those remaining were transferred to Greece under the terms of the later 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey, which formalized the exodus and barred the return of the refugees.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Other ethnic groups were similarly attacked by the Ottoman Empire during this period, including Assyrians and Armenians, and some scholars and organizations have recognized these events as part of the same genocidal policy. The Allies of World War I condemned the Ottoman government–sponsored massacres. In 2007, the International Association of Genocide Scholars passed a resolution recognising the Ottoman campaign against its Christian minorities, including the Greeks, as genocide. Some other organisations have also passed resolutions recognising the Ottoman campaign against these Christian minorities as genocide, as have the national legislatures of Armenia, Austria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States. At the outbreak of World War I, Asia Minor was ethnically diverse; its population included Turks and Azeris, as well as groups that had inhabited the region prior to the Ottoman conquest, including Pontic Greeks, Caucasus Greeks, Cappadocian Greeks, Armenians, Kurds, Zazas, Georgians, Circassians, Assyrians, Jews, and Laz people.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1912: 1912 Milestone — The Greek genocide (Greek: Γενοκτονία των Ελλήνων, romanized: Genoktonía ton Ellínon), which included the Pontic genocide, was the systematic killing of the indigenous Christian Ottoman Greek population of Anatolia because of their religion and ethnicity, which was carried out between 1912 and 1923.
2. 1922: 1922 Milestone — By late 1922, most of the Greeks of Asia Minor had either fled or had been killed.
3. 1923: 1923 Milestone — Those remaining were transferred to Greece under the terms of the later 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey, which formalized the exodus and barred the return of the refugees.
4. 2007: 2007 Milestone — In 2007, the International Association of Genocide Scholars passed a resolution recognising the Ottoman campaign against its Christian minorities, including the Greeks, as genocide.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Greek genocide

True or False: “The Greek presence in Asia Minor dates back to the period following Alexander the Great's conquests.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While Greek culture dominated during the Hellenistic period (334 BC – 1st century BC), the physical presence of Greeks in Asia Minor dates back much earlier, at least to the Late Bronze Age (1450 BC).

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Aaron Spelling — Historical peer (Born in 1923) (1923): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• Ahmet Ertegun — Historical peer (Born in 1923) (1923): Pioneering Turkish-American music executive, co-founder of Atlantic Records.
• Abraham González (governor) — Historical peer (Died in 1913) (1913): Governor of Chihuahua and key Maderista leader during the Mexican Revolution.
• Ahmad Tajuddin — Historical peer (Born in 1913) (1913): The 27th Sultan of Brunei, advocating for political autonomy.
• Abdul-Karim Qasim — Historical peer (Born in 1914) (1914): Iraqi military officer who led the country as Prime Minister from 1958 to 1963.
• Adolph Green — Historical peer (Born in 1914) (1914): American lyricist and playwright known for his long-running, witty partnership with Betty Comden.
• Adelina Patti — Historical peer (Died in 1919) (1919): Legendary Spanish-Italian soprano renowned for her bel canto technique and lyrical voice.
• Ahmed Abdallah — Historical peer (Born in 1919) (1919): Comorian politician who served as President of the Comoros from 1978 to 1989.

Frequently Asked Questions about Greek genocide