Armenian Political Parties

Zartonk

• What was the Zartonk and why is it important?

• The Zartonk was the cultural and political reawakening of the Armenians that happened during the 1800’s

• The Zartonk shaped who we are as Armenians

• The Zartonk was what helped the Armenian people start on their journey to freedom

• What impact did money have on the Zartonk?

• Although most Armenians were very poor, by the late 1700’s and early 1800’s, there were several places where some Armenians began to get wealthy

• Constantinople, Smyrna, Nor Nakhichevan, Tiflis, Nor Jugha, Madras, Calcutta

• What did the rich people do with their money?

Send their kids to good schools!

• In the late 1700’s and early 1800’s, the Armenian’s schools were controlled by the church, focused on religious education, taught in classical Armenian

• There were not many “good schools” for Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, Eastern Armenia or Persia

• Rich Armenians sent their kids to Venice to the Mkhitarian Vank, or to schools in France or Russia

• But the laws began to change in the Ottoman Empire and the Russian Empire so that Armenians could start schools independent of the Church

• Some rich Armenians took advantage of this and donated money to start new schools, for their own children and also to help the cause of education among all Armenians

Growth of Schools• Russian Empire: Lazarian Institute in Moscow, the

Nercessian School in Tiflis, and Kevorkian Academy in Etchmiadzin

• Ottoman Empire: Sanassarian School in Garin; and Nubar-Shahnazarian, Getronagan and Berberian Schools in Bolis, Varag and Armash seminaries

• Alumni formed groups to start schools in Van, Moush, Baghesh, Kharpert, Dikranagert, and Garin

• Other schools founded by American missionaries in Bolis, Marsovan, Kharpert, Aintab, Marash and Tarsus

• Some of these schools made a big impact on our nation because they trained the leaders of the future

Growth of Schools

Lazarian Institute, MoscowNersessian School, Tiflis

Getronagan School, BolisSanassarian School, Garin

After Graduation

• There were no universities in Armenia or the Ottoman Empire

• Armenians who wanted to go to college went to Europe or Russia

• They studied history, science, literature, philosophy, languages, etc

• They also learned about democracy, freedom and justice and made contacts with other European students who became important leaders in their countries

Books and Newspapers• Apovian’s books and the Mkhitarian

Monk’s grammar books in modern Armenian paved the way for growth in Armenian literature

• The 1800’s also saw lots of Armenian newspapers and magazines being published

• Gave opportunities for Armenian writers, poets to write about romance, politics, current events

• Apovian, Raffi, Kamar Katiba, Ghevont Alishan, Mkrditch Beshiktashlian, Mikhail Nalbandian, Hovanes Toumanian, Leo, Krikor Ardsruni, Yervant Odian, Hagop Baronian, Krikor Zohrab, Taniel Varoujan

Political Leaders

• The influence of European political thought and world events helped shape new generations of leaders for the Armenian Nation

• Patriarch Nerses Varjabedian, Khrimian Hairig, Mikhael Nalbandian, Mkrditch Beshiktashlian, Krikor Ardsruni and other began to shape Armenian public opinion and influence others

• In 1860, the Ottoman government allowed Armenians to have their own constitution and legislature, centered around the Church to run the affairs of the community

• This new legislature helped create a new leadership

Armenian Constitution of 1860

• Many parts of this constitution still govern the way our church is run today

• The most important aspect is democracy

Revolutionaries

• In 1862, the Armenians of Zeitun revolted, protesting against the confiscation of lands and the settlement of Tatars from Crimea into the area

• Secret organizations formed like the Black Cross Society, Union of Salvation, and Protectors of the Fatherland

• Armenians started on a more active path to liberation

• From about 1880 onwards, bands of Fedayees began to organize to defend the Armenian villagers

• Led by people like Arapo, Aghpiur Serop, Hriar and others