Կարինէ Ալեքսանեան2026-02-042026-02-042015Ալեքսանեան, Կ., «Հայ-թուրքական յարաբերութիւնները Ալեքսանդրապոլի գաւառի թուրքական ռազմակալման շրջանում (1918-1921), «Հայկազեան հայագիտական հանդէս», 2015, Պէյրութ, էջ 293-326https://haigrepository.haigazian.edu.lb/handle/123456789/1172The Armenians and Turks had two conflicting objectives during the occupation of the District of Alexandropole (1918-1921): a) the struggle of the Armenian population for its physical survival b) the Turkish state’s policy of devastation. Turkey’s intent was to make the best of the prevailing international conditions in the region and through diplomatic duplicity occupy as much as possible of the territory inhabited by Armenians; in unexpected attacks, generate panic within the Armenian population and create conflicts between the diverse segments of Armenian society; disable Armenian defense mechanisms; massacre and loot the Armenian population. These acts were disguised by Turkey as she proclaimed herself to be a peacemaker and an enforcer of law and order. During their occupation of the District, the Turks made good use of their diplomatic capacity and took advantage of the new international situation. The Armenian political leaders, on the other hand, had learned nothing. Their inadequate perception of the conditions both in 1918 and in 1920 led to the massacre and looting of the defenseless population of the District of Alexandropole. Nonetheless, the population had learnt through popular diplomacy and self-defense mechanisms how to maintain its physical survival. Both in 1918 and in 1920 the population of the District of Alexandropole generated local governing bodies, which acted as intermediaries between the local population and the Turkish occupying authorities. These local bodies tried to reduce Turkish atrocities, and with the gradual decline of the occupying power extend their power, enforce law and order, and deter lawless elements, who were not less dangerous in menacing the peace of the local population. The population of the Alexandropole district knew that to undermine the defensive capacities of the local population the Turks ruthlessly punished any attempt at self-defense. Accordingly, some left the area, others went under cover and whenever possible defended their families.