The Pontic Greek Genocide refers to the systematic persecution and mass killing of Pontic Greeks, a Greek-speaking ethnic group from the Pontus region in northeastern Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). This occurred primarily during and after World War I and the Greek-Turkish War (1919–1922), as part of the broader context of ethnic violence and forced population exchanges in the late Ottoman Empire and early Turkish Republic.
Background
The Pontic Greeks had lived in the Pontus region for thousands of years, with their own distinct culture, language (Pontic Greek), and traditions. The genocide occurred in the context of the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the emergence of the Turkish Republic, marked by the collapse of the empire during World War I, and the Greco-Turkish War.
Key Events and Phases
The Massacres (1914–1916):
- In 1914, as part of the broader ethnic cleansing campaigns of the Ottoman Empire against its Christian populations, Pontic Greeks began to face mass killings, deportations, and forced labor.
- During this period, many Pontic Greeks were subjected to massacres in which thousands were killed by Ottoman forces and local militias. Entire villages were destroyed, and the population was either murdered or forced to flee.
Deportations and Forced Marches (1916–1922):
- Between 1916 and 1922, the Ottoman government and local authorities began deporting Pontic Greeks to remote areas in the interior of Anatolia, subjecting them to forced marches, starvation, and exposure to harsh conditions. Many died from these conditions.
- The deportations were part of a larger effort to “Turkify” the population and to eliminate Christian minorities from the empire.
The Impact of the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922):
- After the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I, Greece sought to expand its territory into Asia Minor. The Greek forces entered the region, but following the defeat of the Greeks in 1922 (after the Greco-Turkish War), a massive population exchange between Greece and Turkey was enacted under the Lausanne Treaty of 1923.
- The Greeks who survived the genocidal actions were either forcibly deported to Greece or fled to neighboring regions, while Turks from Greece were relocated to Turkey. This population exchange, while not part of the genocide itself, compounded the suffering of the Pontic Greek people.
Casualties and Estimates
The number of victims of the Pontic Greek Genocide varies, but estimates range from 100,000 to 350,000. Many were killed directly, while others died from starvation, disease, or exhaustion during forced deportations. The brutality of the massacres, along with the forced displacement and systemic violence, led to the decimation of the Pontic Greek population in its ancestral homeland.
Recognition and Legacy
The Pontic Greek Genocide, along with the Armenian Genocide and the Assyrian Genocide, is part of the broader history of ethnic violence against Christian minorities in the Ottoman Empire during the early 20th century. However, Turkey has not officially recognized the events as a genocide. In Greece and among the Pontic Greek diaspora, the genocide is an important aspect of their collective memory.
In recent years, there have been efforts by scholars, cultural organizations, and descendants of Pontic Greeks to raise awareness about this dark chapter in history and to seek recognition for the genocide.
Cultural and Social Impact
The genocide had a lasting impact on the Pontic Greek diaspora, particularly in Greece, where many descendants of survivors live. The trauma of the genocide is remembered through songs, poems, and cultural events. The loss of the Pontic Greek community in Turkey is mourned, and the preservation of their language, traditions, and history continues to be a focal point for the community.