Δυναμη Kαı Παραδoση» Strength and Tradition: History and Memory of the Greek Genocide in Turkey and its Impact on Culture and Heritage in the United States

• Main Author: Louvaris, Elenie
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2018
• Subjects: History; Museum studies
• ISBN: 9780355993103; 0355993104

From 1913-1924 the ethnic-Greeks of Asia Minor were the victims of genocide perpetrated first by agents of the failing Ottoman State, the rise of the Young Turks an finally Mustafa Kemal’s Turkish Republic. This study analyzes the actions and effects of the Turks in three sections. The first chapter defines genocide and ethnic cleansing, and gives a historiography of nationalism, the Greek Genocide and includes a brief historical context. The Second chapter contextualizes the atrocities committed in Asia Minor. This is done by first presenting how nationalism transformed the Balkan Peninsula, and then showing how the Turks systematically dismantled Greek communities in Turkey through attacks. Using survivor testimonies from Nicomedia I show that these attacks were committed against the Greek Orthodox Church, clergy as well as women and children purposefully. Further, I endeavor to show that all of these actions were committed against Greeks in an effort to destroy their sense of identity, to sever community ties, and ultimately to remove them from Turkey. In the third and final chapter, I show how despite their efforts, the descendants of the victims of genocide have, in the United States, established institutions, societies, and organizations to perpetuate and preserve the unique culture and identity that the Turks tried so hard to destroy.