From Sardarapat to Batum: an Armenian epic and period

of the half-value for the Quadruple bloc of Central Powers (April – July 1918)

 

Summary

 

Key words: Republic of Armenia, battles of Sardarapat, Bash Aparan, Karakilisa, Caucasus Front, Armenian national Council, Treaty of Batum, central Powers, Traety of Brest Litovsk, Transcauucasia.

The Ottomans profited of the situation, created by the Russian Revolutions of 1917; and on February 5, 1918, their Army violated the Truce of Erznka (Erzincan) and commenced an advance in force, which was aimed at regaining Western Armenia and later on at seizure of Yerevan, Tiflis and Baku. Turks invaded Western Armenia without any serious resistance. The Armenian nation and its newly-raised Army halted the Turkish invasion by its heroic battles at Sardarapat on May 21-29, 1918, at Bash Aparan on May 23-29, and at Karakilisa on May 25-28. These fights saved the very physical existence of the Eastern Armenians and granted them with the independent State. As an outcome of this valiant tripple battle, the Treaty of Batum was signed on June 4, 1918. The result of the agreement was the Turkish annexation of enormous territories; however, it was the first country to reccognize the independence of the Republic of Armenia. At the same time, the ring-leaders of the Younf Turks did not conceal their desire to transform Armenia into an Ottoman autonomy. It was nothing but defeat of the Central Powers in the World War, combined with stubborn defense of the Armenian nation, that made this Ottoman program null and void. //-95