Resolved: That the United States should recognize the Armenian Genocide

I am going to argue that the Armenian were foes in war. People die in wars, but I wouldn't call this genocide. In fact, in the conflict the Armenians were the aggressors. [0]"That was the environment in which Armenians revolted against the Ottoman Empire--hundreds of years of peace, economic superiority, constantly improving political conditions." [0]"By far the most successful of the revolutionaries were the Dashnaks. Dashnaks from Russia were the leaders of rebellion. They were the organizers and the "enforcers" who turned the Armenians of Anatolia into rebel soldiers." [0]"In Eastern Anatolia, Armenians formed bands to fight a guerilla war against their government. Others fled only to return with the Russian Army, serving as scouts and advance units for the Russian invaders. It was those who stayed behind who were the greatest danger to the Ottoman war effort and the greatest danger to the lives of the Muslims of Eastern Anatolia. " [0]As you can see guerilla warfare was used, blurring the distinction between soldier and civilian. "My purpose here is not to retell that history. I wish to demonstrate that the Ottomans were right in considering the Armenians to be their enemies, if further proof is needed. The map shows proof that the Armenian rebels in fact were agents of Russia. " [0]"We know this is not true. Every year many books and articles are published in Turkey that not only deny the "Armenian Genocide" but document Armenian persecution of Turks. Conferences are held. Mass graves of innocent Turks killed by Armenian Nationalists are found. Museums and monuments are opened to commemorate the Turkish dead. Historians who have seen the Ottoman archival records or read the Turkish books on the Armenian Question do not accept the idea of a genocide. They know that in wartime many Armenians were killed by Turks, and that many Turks were killed by Armenians. They know that this was war, not genocide. " [0]To cross check the information I found another source [1]"The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaks) began to distribute pamphlets and posters calling for revolution in Van. One post by the Dashnaks in March ended in this way:Dashnaks wrote: There can be no reconciliation; we will not put down our arms. We have a holy war, and it will be continued with greater savageness. Therefore let the Commission of the tyrant go to hell. Let there be no yielding to it. We are revolutionists, and this is our last word. Death or Liberty! Long live the Armenian people! Long live the revolution!" [1]"Russian issue weapons were pouring in from smuggling routes in Iran and Russia. Although in Russia, the Armenian rebels had to bribe Russian border guards. Some Kurdish tribes attacked the Armenian Dashnaks to steal their weapons along the smuggling routes.Van governor, Nazim Pasha reported to the government thatNazim Pasha wrote: all the Armenians [in the city] are armed, and they are hiding weapons." [1]Seems clear to me that this was not genocide but war. That the Ottoman empire was incredibly tolerant and that Russia was to blame for this terrible war. This is a political ploy and the USA should not proliferate such falsehoods by recognizing a non-existent event. Furthermore, even if my opponent somehow wins this front, the USA needs to look after its own interest. We need as many allies as we can. Relations can only worsen from this. Finally, there is enough information from my side to sufficiently muddy the waters. Armed rebellion, guerilla warfare, persecution of Muslims, and Russian agents. I don't think the USA is going to convince the Ottomans, now Turkey, that genocide took place. This acknowledging this event would be an exercise in futility. Thanks for the debate.0. http://wilson.engr.wisc.edu...1. http://www.armeniangenocidedebate.com...