Armenian Revolutionary Federation
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) (Armenian: Hay Heghapokhakan Dashnaktsutiun, Dashnaktsutiun, or Dashnak) is an Armenian political party founded in Georgia in 1890 by Christofor Mikaelian, Rostom Zarian, and Simon Zavarian. The party operates among Armenian communities internationally, especially in Armenia and Lebanon, and in the ethnic Armenian-dominated Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, which declared its independence from Azerbaijan in the 1990s and was occupied by Armenian forces. The ARF advocates socialism and is a member of the Socialist International, although its Lebanese branch has broken ranks by embracing capitalism.
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Origins
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| Foundation: | 1890 | |
| Head: | Levon Mkrtchyan | |
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation came into being in 1890 through the merging of various factions of Armenian nationalists. The original aim was for an independent Armenia, which was not at that time seen as a positive move by all Armenians. The party began to organise itself in Turkey in the early 1890s and held its first major meeting in Georgia in 1892. At the meeting two bureaus were founded, responsible for the East and the West respectively. The Eastern Bureau was responsible for planning and implementing attacks against the Ottoman Empire. The Western Bureau established itself in many European cities, including London, Brussels, Berlin, Leipzig, Geneva and Rome.
During the Armenian Genocide of 1915, ARF members were among the first to be openly persecuted and massacred by the Ottoman Turks because of their leadership roles in the Armenian communities.
When the first Republic of Armenia was proclaimed in 1918, the ARF became the ruling party. Despite their tight grip on power, the ARF was unable to stop the impending Communist invasion from the north, which climaxed with a Soviet takeover in 1920. The ARF was banned, and many of its members dispersed to other parts of the world. The ARF is considered the foremost organization in the Armenian Diaspora, having established numerous Armenian schools, churches, community centres, scouting and athletic groups, relief societies, youth organizations, camps, and other organizations throughout the world.
Modern history
Armenia
The ARF has always maintained its ideological commitment to "a Free, Independent, and United Armenia." The term United Armenia refers to the borders of Armenia that were recognized by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson and outlined in the Treaty of Sèvres.
When independence was achieved in 1991, the ARF soon became the second strongest political party, behind the Pan-Armenian National Movement (PANM), a neo-conservative organization supported by foreign powers. The ARF accused the PANM government of corruption, and, fearing its power, President Levon Ter-Petrossian banned the party, along with Yekir, the country's largest daily newspaper. He also ordered the arrest of the leaders of women's, youth, athletic, and cultural organizations. The ban on the ARF was lifted, however, after Ter-Petrossian fell from power and was replaced by Robert Kocharian.
Today, the ARF is one of the three parties in the government coalition, along with the Republican Party and the Country of Law party. With 11 of the 131 seats in the National Assembly of Armenia, it is the major socialist party in Armenia and the fourth largest party in parliament.
Nagorno-Karabakh
| Politics of Azerbaijan |
