Armenian nationalism

The situation of the non-Muslim minorities within the Ottoman Empire changed substantially as a result of reforms introduced during the Tanzimat era.

The Armenians also established numerous cultural associations to set a minimum standard for the curricula and qualifications for the teachers.

[4] Both Turkey and Russia began to look upon all expressions of Armenian national identity, however innocent, as possible instruments for the realisation of that autonomy.

Armenians are the original inhabitants of much of the territory of historic Armenia, and the Turks cannot claim presence in Anatolia prior to the Seljuk conquests of the 11th century.

[6][citation needed] In the Russian Empire, attempts were made to reduce the powers and privileges of Etchmiadzin, to influence the election of the Catholicos, and the study of Armenian history and culture was actively discouraged.

Many teachers at Armenian schools were specifically targeted and killed in Ottoman Empire during the Hamidian massacre.

For example, Saparov points out that anti-Turkism was the major direction and driving force for Armenian nationalism in Soviet Armenia.

[12] Armenian diasporic nationalism has a strong nostalgic component for a lost time and place, most prominently symbolized by Mount Ararat which, although visible from Yerevan, lies within Turkish territory.