American missionary activities in the Ottoman empire and Harput American College

In the study; It is aimed to examine the activities of American missionaries in the Ottoman Empire and the Harput American College in particular of these activities. Data about missionary activities and Harput American College was obtained from missionary travel books and memories, archival sources and many copyrighted works. In this study, the Prime Ministry Ottoman Archives were used, as well as the scanning / compilation method, which is one of the research methods. From the 16th century, when the first missionary activities started in the Ottoman lands, until the 19th century, missionary activities continued uninterruptedly. In this process, missionaries in the empire provided the opportunity to communicate closely with the minorities living in the Ottoman Empire through many institutions, especially education. Although the Protestant American missionaries, who set foot in the Ottoman geography at the beginning of the 19th century, started their missionary activities later than the Catholic missionary groups, the Protestants became the Protestant missionary group that carried out the most effective missionary activities in the Ottoman geography. Like every missionary group, American missionaries began their missionary activities in the Ottoman geography in line with individual efforts and religious purposes. The United States of America, which has just joined world politics and wants to rise politically, culturally and economically, has used missionaries as an intermediary to achieve these goals. American missionaries, who made good use of the multinational and linguistic structure of the Ottoman Empire, chose the Armenians, who were scattered and affiliated with the Gregorian Sect of Christianity, as their target. American missionaries were more active in Eastern Anatolia, where Armenians had a larger population. In Eastern Anatolia, the missionaries, who mixed with the Armenians in many fields, including education, health and other services, had the opportunity to create a human community that could work for the interests of America as well as spreading the Protestant sect. The American missionaries, who benefited from the Armenians having a population all over the empire, succeeded in creating a community that could serve their purposes on the Ottoman Empire, thanks to their education policies. Students educated by missionaries in Harput American College or Euphrates College immigrated to America or participated in missionary activities. It was also ensured that an enlightened Armenian class emerged during the educational activities. The Armenians, who were also affected by the influence of the Nationalism movement brought by the French Revolution, started activities to leave the Ottoman Empire. The influence of the missionaries was great in the revolt of the Armenians in many parts of the empire. Keywords: 19th Century, Missionary, American Board, Euphrates College, Education, USA.