The Turks were concerned that the Armenian population sympathized with the Allied Powers. and were worried that they might side with the Russians in the TurkishRussian conflict during World War I. The Ottoman Government felt they needed to fully contain the Armenians. All Armenians were equal candidates to be deported or massacredmen. women. children. the elderly. The Ottoman Empire justified the genocide as one of the necessary military operations during wartime. Many Armenians were transferred from their homes and taken to desolate areas to be abused and killed in mass slayings. They were moved either by forced caravan marches or by overly packed cattle car trains. both of which caused massive casualties. The survivors of these deportations were sent to camps in the middle of the Syrian desert. where they faced heat. starvation. exhaustion. thirst. and disease. In addition to the loss of life. Armenian churches. libraries. towns. and other symbols of their culture were razed.
Identified stereotypes
All Armenians were equal candidates to be deported or massacredmen. women. children. the elderly.