why did turkey attempt to cover up the Armenian genocide?
The Armenian Genocide is a highly controversial and sensitive topic. The Turkish government has long disputed that a genocide took place, instead referring to the events as a "massacres" that occurred during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire (1915-1923). There are several reasons why Turkey has attempted to cover up or deny the Armenian Genocide:
1. Denial of responsibility: Turkey denies that the Ottoman Empire was responsible for a premeditated plan to exterminate the Armenian population. They argue that the deaths were a result of civil war, famine, and disease during World War I.
2. Geopolitical considerations: Turkey fears that acknowledging the genocide would tarnish its international reputation and harm its relations with other countries, particularly those that have recognized and condemned the genocide. It also worries about potential legal and financial consequences.
3. National identity and unity: Acknowledging the Armenian Genocide would challenge the official Turkish nationalist narrative, which emphasizes unity, heroic struggle, and victimhood. Accepting responsibility for such atrocities could lead to internal divisions and challenges to the dominant nationalist ideology.
4. Diplomatic pressure: Turkey faces pressure from influential countries, particularly those with significant Armenian diaspora populations, to recognize the genocide. In response, Turkey has engaged in lobbying and used diplomatic channels to counter such efforts.
It's important to note that opinions and interpretations of historical events can vary, and the reasons mentioned above represent some of the motivations behind Turkey's stance on the Armenian Genocide question.