Democratic Republic of Armenia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Democratic Republic of Armenia
Դեմոկրատական Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն
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| 1918–1920 | |||||||||
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Motto: None
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Anthem: Mer Hayrenik
("Our Fatherland") |
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| Capital | Yerevan | ||||||||
| Common languages | Armenian | ||||||||
| Government | Republic | ||||||||
| Prime Minister | |||||||||
| Chairman of the Parliament | |||||||||
| Historical era | Interwar period | ||||||||
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• Independence
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28 May 1918 | ||||||||
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• Soviet invasion
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29 November 1920 | ||||||||
| Population | |||||||||
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• 1918
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c. 3,000,000 + | ||||||||
| Currency | Armenian ruble | ||||||||
| ISO 3166 code | AM | ||||||||
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The Democratic Republic of Armenia (DRA), also known as the First Republic of Armenia, existed from 1918 to 1920. It was the first time modern Armenia became an independent republic. This country was formed after the Russian Empire lost its power. This happened because of the Russian Revolution of 1917.
The Democratic Republic of Armenia had specific borders. To the north was the Democratic Republic of Georgia. To the west was the Ottoman Empire. The Persian Empire was to the south. And to the east was the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
Contents
How Did the Republic End?
Armenia became a communist country in late 1920. This happened after a series of important events.
Turkish and Soviet Invasions
In September 1920, the Turkish revolutionaries began to move towards Armenia's capital city. An agreement to stop fighting, called an armistice, was made on November 18. Then, a full peace agreement, the Treaty of Alexandropol, was signed on December 2 or 3, 1920.
While this was happening, the Soviet 11th Red Army began its invasion. This started on November 29, 1920. The power officially changed hands in Yerevan on December 2. Armenian leaders agreed to a demand from Boris Legran, a Soviet diplomat. Armenia decided to join the Soviet side. In return, Soviet Russia promised to protect Armenia's land from the Turkish army. They also promised to rebuild Armenia's army and protect Armenians. However, these promises were not kept.
The End of Self-Rule
On December 4, 1920, the Red Army entered Yerevan. This meant the government of the Armenian Republic stopped working. The next day, on December 5, the Armenian Revolutionary Committee (Revkom) also entered the city. Most members of this committee were Armenians from Azerbaijan.
Finally, on December 6, Felix Dzerzhinsky's secret police, called the Cheka, arrived in Yerevan. This event officially marked the end of the Democratic Republic of Armenia. The rest of Armenia came under the control of the communist government. The land taken by Turkey mostly stayed with Turkey. This was confirmed by the later Treaty of Kars. Soon after, the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic was created. It was led by Aleksandr Miasnikyan. This new republic became part of the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic.
Other Pages to Explore
Images for kids
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Armenian Army 1918
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Celebration in Armenia 1918
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Armenian parade 14 April 1920
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Members of the Second Cabinet, 1 October 1919. Left to right: A. Sahakian, Alexander Khatisian, General C. Araratian, Nikol Aghbalian, A. Gulkandanian, S. Araradian.
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The Government building in Yerevan
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A delegation of five hundred Armenian World War I veterans in Washington, D.C., April 1920
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The Turkish-Armenian border by the Treaty of Sèvres.
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Members of the Soviet 11th Red Army marching down Yerevan's Abovyan Boulevard, effectively ending Armenian self-rule.
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Russian occupied area of Turkish Armenia in 1917, a year before creation of the Republic and the collapse of the Russo-Armenian counter offensive.
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Europe in 1912 and 1918.
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Europe in 1919.
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Claims presented by the Republic of Armenia at the Paris Peace Conference, 1919.
See also
In Spanish: República Democrática de Armenia para niños
