In 1862, Zeytun became a major centre of struggle of Western Armenians against the national, religious and social persecutions under the Ottoman domination. As a result of the Russian-Turkish war in 1877-1878, a number of provinces in historical Armenia were ceded to Russia, forming the province of Kars. Most of the Western Armenia remained under the rule of Turkey.

According to the Treaty of San Stefano (Article 16), the Turkish side had undertaken obligations of guaranteeing the security of the Armenians and their property in Western Armenia. However, the matters concerning the Armenians were ignored at the Congress of Berlin (Article 61). Thus, the history of the Armenian Question commenced in the international diplomacy. The national liberation movement acquired a new impetus, and a guerilla struggle expanded. Liberation groups and national parties were organized.

The Exhibition presents:

• materials on the historical events, political, social and economic life of that period; among them, the so-called “National Constitution”, i.e. the regulations adopted in 1860 by the Turkish government concerning the national, social and religious affairs of the Western Armenians
• documents, referring to the formation of national parties: Armenakan, Social-Democratic Hnchakian and Armenian Revolutionary Federation
• personal belongings, photographs and documents of public, cultural and political figures.