The Ottoman Turks committed genocide against the Armenians primarily due to ethnic and religious differences. The Armenians were perceived as a threat to the Ottoman Empire's unity and stability, leading to their targeted persecution. The Young Turk government also believed that the Armenians were collaborating with the Russians during World War I, further fueling their decision to carry out genocide. Additionally, the Turkish nationalist movement sought to create a homogenous Turkish state, which involved the elimination of minority groups like the Armenians. Ultimately, these factors combined to drive the Ottoman Turks to undertake the systematic extermination of the Armenian population.
