The effects of the Armenian relocation on anatolia: An evaluation in the context of migration theories

This study examines the historical background, implementation process, and effects on Anatolia of the Relocation decision taken by the Ottoman Empire in 1915 within the framework of migration theories. The Armenian Question was a political and geopolitical issue that emerged during the final century of the Ottoman Empire. During the critical period of the First World War, Armenian committees intensified acts of sabotage and rebellion in cooperation with the Russian armies, prompting the Ottoman government to adopt the Relocation decision in order to ensure security behind the front lines. The legal basis of this measure was established through the Temporary Law on Those Opposing Government Actions in Time of War (Vakt-i Seferde İcraat-ı Hükümete Karşı Gelenler İçin Kanun-ı Muvakkat). The measure did not directly target Armenians but encompassed all individuals engaged in treason and espionage under wartime conditions. The Ottoman administration issued directives to ensure the safety of migrants during the relocation process and prosecuted cases of abuse before military tribunals. The effects of the Relocation on Anatolia were multidimensional, and its implementation varied according to regional security risks. Following the Relocation, the demographic structure changed significantly, and settlement areas vacated in regions with dense Armenian populations were repopulated through the settlement of Muslim immigrants (muhacirs). Furthermore, after the Relocation and the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne, the Armenian population that remained in Anatolia acquired minority status. Significant migration movements also occurred during later periods, such as the incorporation of Hatay into Türkiye in 1939. Based on migration theories, this research concludes that in addressing the Armenian Question, which culminated in the Relocation, it is necessary to move beyond the state-centered understanding of classical diplomacy and adopt a long-term, proactive, and constructive strategy grounded in transparency and scientific knowledge, incorporating cultural and humanitarian interaction, economic cooperation, and multilayered public diplomacy instruments. It is also suggested that future researchers should examine the perceptual, socio-psychological, and political effects of this event on both Turkish and Armenian communities through interdisciplinary methods. Such studies may contribute to reducing misconceptions between the two societies, strengthening areas of mutual interaction, and fostering the development of cultural, economic, and communication-based approaches.