The Armenian Question

During the 18th century, the Ottoman Empire sustained extensive territorial losses, and the Balkan nationalities, aided by European arms and diplomacy, began their struggle for liberation. The term "Armenian question," as used in European history, became commonplace among diplomatic circles and in the popular press after the Congress of Berlin, referring to European powers' involvement with the Armenians. The "Armenian question" remained a factor in international politics, and Russia became increasingly involved in Ottoman affairs following intervention in 1877-1878. Russia gained control over a large part of Armenia and became the champion of the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, taking on the role of protector. The Armenian Question in the Caucasus: Russian Archive Documents and Publications is issued in a three volume collection as a special topic of study for the first time in world historiography. The complex topic is presented here, based on rare documents and publications which were long stored as secret and top secret in the Russian State Historical Archive (St. Petersburg) and the Russian State Military History Archive (Moscow). Volume 2 chronologically follows the period 1904-1905. It comprises two sections: the first section provides an analysis of the documents and materials. The second section contains copies of the originals from archives and publications. Many the documents and materials are now made publically available here for the first time. To guarantee academic objectivity, the contextual integrity of the archive documents have been preserved. All materials are arranged chronologically and by topic. The collection provides the reader with the opportunity to undertake a critical review of current theses on the Armenian question. It also assists the application of contemporary academic methods to a comprehensive study of the essence of this question.