Wilsonian Armenia facts for kids

Wilsonian Armenia refers to a special area of land. It was planned for the country of Armenia after World War I. The borders for this area were drawn by the American President Woodrow Wilson as part of a peace agreement called the Treaty of Sèvres.

This planned area was located north and west of a place called Trabzon Province. Its main purpose was to give the new country, then known as the Democratic Republic of Armenia, a way to reach the Black Sea. Having access to the sea was very important for trade and travel.

At that time, Armenian people had a dream of creating a larger "Western Armenia." This dream included parts of what would become the new country of Turkey. However, this idea eventually did not happen. The borders drawn by President Wilson were never fully put into place.

The Treaty of Sèvres and New Borders

After World War I ended in 1918, many countries met to decide what would happen next. One important agreement was the Treaty of Sèvres, signed in 1920. This treaty aimed to settle the future of the Ottoman Empire, which had been on the losing side of the war.

Part of the treaty involved creating new countries and redrawing borders. President Wilson was asked to help decide the exact borders for the new Armenian state. He was chosen because the United States had not been directly involved in the war against the Ottoman Empire. This made him seem like a neutral choice.

Why Armenia Needed Sea Access

Giving Armenia access to the Black Sea was a key part of Wilson's plan. Countries with a coastline can easily trade with other nations by ship. This helps their economy grow. Without sea access, a country is called "landlocked," which can make trade more difficult. The port city of Trabzon was important for this reason.

The Dream of Western Armenia

For many Armenians, the idea of "Wilsonian Armenia" was a step towards a bigger goal. They hoped to reunite historical Armenian lands, often called "Western Armenia," which had been part of the Ottoman Empire for a long time. This dream was very important to their national identity.

However, the political situation changed quickly after the Treaty of Sèvres was signed. A new government rose in Turkey, led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. This new government did not accept the Treaty of Sèvres. They fought to establish the modern Republic of Turkey with different borders.

What Happened to Wilson's Plan?

Because of these changes and new conflicts, the borders drawn by President Wilson were never fully accepted or put into practice. The idea of "Wilsonian Armenia" remained a historical concept, showing what could have been for the Armenian nation after the war.

Images for kids

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  Wilsonian Armenia according to the Treaty of Sèvres.

See also

In Spanish: Armenia Wilsoniana para niños