The Roots of the Racial Nationalism of the Committee of Union and Progress: Ideas, Individuals, Influences

The Armenian, Assyrian and Greek genocides perpetrated within the Ottoman Empire by Turkish government at beginning of 20th century were not only direct implementations ideological convictions or a result single decision. Those were, rather, amalgam certain theories adjusted to political economic developments in country desire turn multi-ethnic multi-religious empire into nation-state. Stressing importance ideas ideologies process historical development, this article attempts show strains CUP members’ worldview deliberately singling out foreign thinkers that had role on formation their actions. This refrains from discussing Turkism as whole, but rather examines paths introduction European thought mindset high ranking officials ideologists, hoping illuminate background subsequent decisions actions which tragic impact fate millions non-Muslim people Empire.