The Incitement of Hatred and Violence Against Armenians in Raphael Lemkin’s Research

Abstract

The article discusses how the brutal imagery of crimes committed against Armenians in the Ottoman Empire left a profound mark on Raphael Lemkin’s memory, significantly influencing the development of his ideas. These events also contributed to his formulation of the concept of “genocide” and the development of the idea of establishing a separate international convention for the prevention and punishment of this crime.

In his unfinished work History of Genocide Lemkin examined the mass violence carried out during the Armenian Genocide, seeking to understand the psychological responses of both the organizers of the massacres and their victims.

He emphasizes that the social status and defining characteristics of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire—particularly their economic success—played a crucial role in inciting hatred against them by the Young Turk leadership. In this regard, Lemkin draws parallels between the Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust, comparing the situation of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire to that of Jews in Nazi Germany.

Lemkin also attributes the persecution and hatred against Armenians in the Ottoman Empire largely to religious motivations. He analyzes specific aspects of Young Turk propaganda, which aimed to accuse Armenians, instill hostility toward them, and incite acts of violence.