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166-648: On January 14, 1933, which is marked as the founding date of the Armenian Youth Federation, the ARF Central Committee of America decided to create a national youth organization by combining the existing ones and setting up new chapters where such groups did not exist. After the decision was made, an invitation was sent to representatives of interested youth groups on the East Coast to join a conference on Sunday, July 16, 1933, in

332-741: A new Lebanese government was formed where ARF party members were appointed to two ministerial positions, including Ministry of Industry, as part of the March 8 alliance . The ARF Lebanon branch is headquartered in Bourj Hammoud in the Shaghzoian Centre, along with the ARF Lebanon Central Committee's Aztag Daily newspaper and "Voice Of Van" 24-hour radio station. During the French Mandate and under

498-615: A " state within a state ". The "Second congress of the Ottoman opposition" took place in Paris, France , in 1907. Opposition leaders including Ahmed Riza (liberal), Sabahheddin Bey , and ARF member Khachatur Maloumian attended. During the meeting, an alliance between the two parties was officially declared. The ARF decided to cooperate with the Committee of Union and Progress, hoping that if

664-606: A bond purchase. The name of the bonds was eventually changed to War Bonds after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, which resulted in the United States entering the war. The War Finance Committee was placed in charge of supervising the sale of all bonds, and the War Advertising Council promoted voluntary compliance with bond buying. Popular contemporary art was used to help promote

830-426: A conflict at the beginning of warfare can obtain cheap financing. As the conflict develops, bond yields increase but only to a certain level. Once a certain threshold is exceeded, there is no increase in the yield. The phenomenon was explained by the clientele effect, i.e., the differentiation of groups that purchase financial instruments. The first issuances of war bonds are mainly covered by investors seeking profit and

996-526: A dislocated economy, hundreds of thousands of refugees, and a mostly starving population. The ARF, led by General Andranik , tried several times to seize Shusha (known as Shushi by Armenians), a city in Karabakh. Just before the Armistice of Mudros was signed, Andranik was on the way from Zangezur to Shusha, to control the main city of Karabakh. Andranik's forces got within 42 km (26 mi) of

1162-664: A full member of the Socialist International since 2003; it joined the Second International in 1907. It has the largest membership of the political parties present in the Armenian diaspora, having established affiliates in more than 20 countries. Compared to other diasporan Armenian parties which tend to primarily focus on educational or humanitarian projects, the ARF is the most politically oriented of

1328-565: A given geographical region, corresponding to significant Armenian population centers. Chapters traditionally take on nicknames form Armenian history and culture, often place names or national heroes. The Armenian Youth Federation of the Eastern United States is divided into three districts: Mid-Atlantic , Mid-West , and New England . The Armenian Youth Federation of the Western United States consists of

1494-473: A good deal of research. Also, the first edition of the well-known AYF "Blue Book" series was published in the 1945-46 fiscal year. With the end of the World War, AYF activity increased. Members returning from the war provided additional manpower to the organization, but this increase was short lived. The post-war years were followed by an era of declining membership due to geographic and demographic changes in

1660-414: A hands-on approach in the nation-building process of Armenia. The summer camps continue the program's long tradition of giving young Armenians from the United States a chance to make a direct impact in the homeland and on the lives of Armenia's most impoverished children and families. Through this summer camp experience, campers learn basic English, patriotic songs, arts and crafts, as well as learning about

1826-511: A larger anti-Armenian policy. On 11 May 1905, Dashnak revolutionary Drastamat Kanayan assassinated Russian governor general Mikhail Nakashidze  [ ru ] , who was considered by the Armenian population as the main instigator of hate and confrontation between the Armenians and the Tatars. Unable to rely on the state for protection, the Armenian bourgeoisie turned to the ARF. Against

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1992-612: A major role in the Second Sasun Uprising . The ARF sent arms and fedayi to defend the region for the second time. Among the 500 fedayees participating in the resistance were famed figures such as Kevork Chavush , Sepasdatsi Murad and Hrayr Djoghk . Although they managed to hold off the Ottoman army for several months, despite their lack of fighters and firepower, Ottoman forces captured Sasun and massacred thousands of Armenians. In 1904, during an annual congress bringing together Armenian and Bulgarian representatives,

2158-525: A program, called the AYF Youth Corps, that sent about ten youths that year and continues to send up to 15 each summer. The mission of the Youth Corps is to help rebuild schools, camps, churches, etc. in the various regions of Nagorno-Karabakh. At the 38th Convention of the A.R.F.Y.O.C. (Canada), a motion was passed regarding the name of the organization. While in Armenian, the name would remain

2324-511: A purge by Ottoman officials against the leaders of the empire's Armenian communities. The ARF, maintaining its ideological commitment to a "Free, Independent, and United Armenia", led the defense of the Armenian people during the Armenian genocide, becoming leaders of the successful Van Resistance . Jevdet Bey , the Ottoman administrator of Van, tried to suppress the resistance by killing two Armenian leaders (Ishkhan and Vramian) and trying to imprison Aram Manukian, who had risen to fame and gained

2490-552: A purported secret terrorist cell within the ARF known as the "Dro Group" (named after the Dro Committee, the group that was allegedly behind the plot), which was allegedly led by ARF member Hrant Markarian . Another group of thirty-one ARF members, including ARF Bureau member Vahan Hovhannisyan , were also arrested and charged with attempting to stage an armed coup, among other crimes. Gerard Libaridian , an historian and close adviser of Ter-Petrosyan, collected and presented

2656-660: A result of war were the British Consols , some of which were the result of the refinancing of incurring debts during the Napoleonic Wars, but these were redeemed following the passing of the Finance Act 2015 . The government of Austria-Hungary knew from the early days of the First World War that it could not count on advances from its principal banking institutions to meet the growing costs of

2822-521: A small group of rich financiers such as Jakob Fugger and Nathan Rothschild , but no particular distinction was made between debt incurred in war or peace. An early use of the term "war bond" was for the $ 11 million raised by the US Congress in an Act of 14 March 1812, to fund the War of 1812 , but this was not aimed at the general public. Until July 2015, perhaps the oldest bonds still outstanding as

2988-540: A songbook of Armenian patriotic songs, published the book Highlights in Armenian History, written by the first AYF executive secretary James Mandalian, and produced biographies of historical figures. Chapters would conduct examinations at the end of each fiscal year, the results of which would be sent to the AYF central office to be graded. Individual participation was encouraged by a three-point educational plan, which

3154-550: A sound foundation for the educational program. One of the greatest achievements of the post war years was the creation of the AYF Junior Organization in 1948. The Junior movement soon spread throughout the country and soon rivaled the Senior organization with its own "Blue Book" program, Olympics, conferences, essay and literature contests, and more. Also ranking as one of the period's outstanding accomplishments

3320-559: A stimulated wartime economy . War bonds are either retail bonds marketed directly to the public or wholesale bonds traded on a stock market. Exhortations to buy war bonds have often been accompanied by appeals to patriotism and conscience. Retail war bonds, like other retail bonds, tend to have a yield which is below that offered by the market and are often made available in a wide range of denominations to make them affordable for all citizens. Governments throughout history have needed to borrow money to fight wars. Traditionally they dealt with

3486-504: A strong presence in the DRA government. Most of the important government posts, such as prime minister, defence minister and interior minister were controlled by its members. The DRA wanted to recover the country's economy, and create new rules and regulations, but the situation required it to focus on overcoming widespread hunger in the country. The situation was complicated externally, provoked by Turkish and Azerbaijani Muslim riots. In 1920

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3652-454: A substitute for an Armenian lifestyle that was no longer day-to-day. One of the single biggest changes to occur in the 1960s was the emergence of political activity in the Armenian community. During this time, there were important changes occurring on the Armenian political scene as the 50th anniversary of the Armenian genocide ushered a new era of demonstrative political action, reiterating

3818-465: Is 6 weeks long, with 5 weeks of volunteer work and 1 week of touring. During the first week of the program, Youth Corps participants spend time traveling throughout Armenia, visiting historic sites and enjoying the excitement of Yerevan. The following 5 weeks are spent working as counselors at day camps for underprivileged youth in multiple towns across Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. From its inception, Youth Corps has been empowering young Diasporans to take

3984-609: Is a breakdown of some of these events, focusing on the Eastern Region USA. Senior Olympics is the Eastern Region's premier event. It takes place annually during Labor Day Weekend, rotating between host chapters in the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and Mid-West regions. Chapters compete over three days in athletic events including track and field, swimming, tennis, softball, and golf. A cumulative winning chapter

4150-695: Is an Armenian nationalist and socialist political party founded in 1890 in Tiflis , Russian Empire by Christapor Mikaelian , Stepan Zorian , and Simon Zavarian . As of 2023 , the party operates in Armenia , Lebanon , Iran and in countries where the Armenian diaspora is present. The party was also active in Artsakh until the Azerbaijani offensive in September 2023. Although it has long been

4316-585: Is announced at the Sunday night grand ball. Canada and West Coast chapters are also invited to participate in the games. NATs is the AYF's annual winter Olympics. Like Senior Olympics, NATs rotates between host chapters in the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and Mid-West regions. The event used to be held in March but was moved to President's Day Weekend to accommodate more games and events. Chapters compete in men's and women's basketball and co-ed volleyball. Junior Seminar

4482-470: Is estimated that over 1000 AYF members were in the Armed Forces. Chapters sent letters, issues of Hairenik Weekly, local news, packages, and presents to members in uniform. Also during this time, the AYF raised a combined total of approximately three quarters of a million dollars in war bonds and stamps. This campaign funded the purchase of a B-25 Mitchell and a B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft for

4648-440: Is the AYF's premier junior event. It takes place Memorial Day Weekend and hosts juniors from the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and Mid-West regions with senior members serving as counselors. The weekend consists of age appropriate Armenian themed lectures and educationals, along with night activities and free time. Senior Seminar is the senior version of Junior Seminar. The event usually takes place in September and features lectures to

4814-648: The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine , the Ukrainian government announced it would issue war bonds to pay its armed forces. Between March and May 2022, around $ 270 million equivalent of bonds were sold, maturing in one year and yielding 11 percent. The bonds were sold in small units of 1,000 hryvnias , with over 70,000 buyers. On 28 October 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Canada announced that they would sell government-backed, 5-year bonds to raise money for Ukraine. Canada completed issuing C$ 500 million of

4980-586: The ARF History Museum was inaugurated in Yerevan, displaying the history of the party and of its notable members. War bond War bonds (sometimes referred to as victory bonds , particularly in propaganda ) are debt securities issued by a government to finance military operations and other expenditure in times of war without raising taxes to an unpopular level. They are also a means to control inflation by removing money from circulation in

5146-680: The Administration for Western Armenia and worked to ease the sufferings of Armenians. At the end of World War I , members of the Young Turks movement, considered executors of the Armenian genocide by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, were assassinated during Operation Nemesis . As a result of the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917, the Armenian, Georgian, and Azerbaijani leaders of

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5312-594: The Armenian-Tatar massacres broke out during which the ARF became involved in armed activities. Some sources claim that the Russian government incited the massacres in order to reinforce its authority during the revolutionary turmoil of 1905. The first outbreak of violence occurred in Baku , in February 1905. The ARF held the Russian authorities responsible for inaction and instigation of massacres that were part of

5478-504: The Iranian Constitutional Revolution . They established that the movement was one that had political, ideological and economic components and was thus aimed at establishing law and order, human rights and the interests of all working people. They also felt that it would work for the benefit and interest of Armenian-Iranians . The final vote was 25 votes in favour and one absentia. From 1907 to 1908, during

5644-449: The Metn district, which includes the predominantly Armenian area of Bourj Hammoud, ARF decided to support Camille Khoury , the candidate backed by opposition leader Michel Aoun 's Free Patriotic Movement against Phalangist leader Amine Gemayel and subsequently won the seat. In the 2009 Lebanese general elections , the ARF won 2 seats in parliament which it holds presently. In June 2011,

5810-690: The National Assembly . During the 2020–2021 Armenian protests , the party confirmed it would participate in the 2021 Armenian parliamentary election as part of a political alliance - the Armenia Alliance - with Reborn Armenia . In the 2021 election, the Armenia Alliance, led by the second President of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan , won 21% of the popular vote and gained 29 seats in the National Assembly. In

5976-493: The Pan-Armenian National Movement . Subsequently, on 28 December 1994, President Levon Ter-Petrosyan in a famous television speech banned the ARF, which was the nation's leading opposition party, along with Yerkir , the country's largest daily newspaper. The party's leader, Hrayr Maroukhian , was expelled from Armenia. Ter-Petrosyan introduced evidence that supposedly detailed a plot hatched by

6142-702: The Phalangist Party of Pierre Gemayel and generally ran joint tickets with the Phalangists, especially in Beirut constituencies with large Armenian populations. The refusal of the ARF, along with most Armenian groups, to play an active role in the civil war, however, soured relations between the two parties, and the Lebanese Forces (a militia dominated by Phalangists and commanded by Bachir Gemayel , Pierre Gemayel's son), responded by attacking

6308-656: The Soviet communists in 1920. After the communists exiled its leadership, the ARF established itself within Armenian-diaspora communities, where it helped Armenians to preserve their cultural identity. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the ARF reestablished its presence in Armenia. Prior to Serzh Sargsyan 's election as President of Armenia in February 2008 and for a short time thereafter,

6474-711: The USA , where a large number of Armenians had settled. With political and geographic division came religious division. One part of the Armenian Church claimed it wanted to be separate from the head, whose seat was in Echmiadzin , Armenian SSR . Some Armenians in the US thought Moscow tried to use the Armenian Church to promote Communists' ideas outside the country. The Armenian Church thus separated into two branches, Echmiadzin and Cilician, and started to operate separately. In

6640-576: The Velvet Revolution . By the evening of 25 April 2018, ARF-Dashnaktsutyun had withdrawn from the coalition. Following the Velvet Revolution, the party lost support from the general public in Armenia and is now being polled at 1–2%. The party lost political representation in the 2018 Armenian parliamentary election after receiving only 3.89% of the votes, which is lower than the 5% minimum threshold required for representation in

6806-578: The "Armenian Revolutionary Federation" or "Dashnaktsutiun" in 1890. The Social Democrat Hunchakian Party , an existing Armenian socialist and revolutionary party, initially agreed to join the "Federation of Armenian Revolutionaries." However, the Hunchaks soon withdrew due to disputes over ideological and organizational questions, such as the role of socialism in the party's program. Another faction of non-socialists led by Konstantin Khatisian split from

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6972-675: The 1890s the party used terrorism against the Ottoman Empire and Russia with the goal of gaining an independent nation, more well known attacks occurred against Bedros Kapamajian , the mayor of Van who was assassinated in December 1912, and the assassination of archbishop Leon Tourian in New York City on December 24, 1933. Together with the Committee of Union and Progress , a group of mostly European-educated Turks,

7138-487: The 5% War Loan, offering a choice of taking cash or continuing the loan at 3.5%. Although they were obliged to give 90 days' notice of such a change, a 1% tax-free cash bonus was offered to holders who acted by 31 July. This conversion saved the government about £23 million net per year. On 3 December 2014 the UK Government announced it would redeem the outstanding war loans on 9 March 2015. In 1917 and 1918,

7304-602: The ARF bore a major portion of responsibilities for perpetrating the massacres. The ARF, however, argued that it helped to organize the defence of the Armenian population against Muslim attacks. The blows suffered at the hands of the Dashnakist fighting squads proved a catalyst for the consolidation of the Muslim community of the Caucasus. During that period, the ARF regarded armed activity, including terror , as necessary for

7470-498: The ARF could not operate in the Armenian SSR and the political party remained banned until 1991. In the leadup to the reestablishment of independent Armenia, the ARF was opposed to Armenia's immediate independence from the Soviet Union, considering the threat of neighboring Turkey to be too great. When independence was achieved in 1991, the ARF soon became one of the major and most active political parties , rivaled mainly by

7636-717: The ARF cut relations with the Young Turks in 1912. Between December 1912 and 1914 ARF politicians held negotiations with the CUP about political reforms in the eastern provinces. The Armenians had the support of the Russians and the CUP accused the Armenians that their actions caused further division between Turks and Armenians. The CUP and ARF continued a close cooperation throughout the Second Constitutional Era up until 1914. In 1915, Dashnak leaders were deported and killed alongside other Armenian intellectuals during

7802-531: The ARF had been one of the largest revolutionary groups trying to overthrow Sultan Abdul Hamid II. In a general assembly meeting in 1907, the ARF acknowledged that the Armenian and Turkish revolutionaries had the same goals. Although the Tanzimat reforms had given Armenians more rights and seats in the parliament, the ARF hoped to gain autonomy to govern Armenian populated areas of the Ottoman Empire as

7968-478: The ARF has usually controlled a majority of the Armenian vote and won most of the ethnic Armenian seats in the National Assembly. A major change occurred in the parliamentary election of 2000. With a rift between ARF and the Mustaqbal (Future) party of Rafik Hariri and the ARF was left with only one parliamentary seat, its worst result in many decades. The ARF called for a boycott of the 2005 Beirut elections. Relations soured further when on 5 August 2007 by-election in

8134-489: The ARF to engage in terrorism against his administration, endanger Armenia's national security and overthrow the government. Throughout the evening, government security forces arrested leading ARF figures, and police seized computers, fax machines, files and printing equipment from ARF offices. In addition to Yerkir , government forces also closed several literary, women's, cultural, and youth publications. A group of eleven ARF members were arrested and accused of being members of

8300-411: The ARF took part in the Sasun Resistance , supplying arms to the local population to help the people of Sasun defend themselves against the Hamidian purges. In June 1896, the Armenakan Party organized the Van Rebellion in the province of Van . The Armenakans, assisted by members of the Hunchakian and ARF parties, supplied all able-bodied men of Van with weapons. They rose to defend the civilians from

8466-557: The ARF was a member of the governing coalition, even though it nominated its own candidate in the 2008 presidential elections . ARF reentered Sargsyan's cabinet in February 2016 in what was defined as a "long-term political cooperation" agreement with the Republican Party by means of which the ARF would share responsibility for all government policies. The ARF then approved of Sargsyan's nomination in April 2018 as Prime Minister , from which post he resigned six days later (23 April 2018) amid large-scale protests in what came to be known as

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8632-406: The ARF's stance towards the Ottoman Empire, the party enjoyed the support of the central Russian administration, as tsarist and ARF foreign policy had the same alignment until 1903. On 12 June 1903, the tsarist authorities passed an edict to bring all Armenian Church property under imperial control. This was faced by strong ARF opposition, because the ARF perceived the tsarist edict as a threat to

8798-506: The ARF, supported the newly established Soviet rule in Armenia. From 1923 to 1958, conflicts erupted among Armenian political parties struggling to dominate and organize the diaspora. The ARF and Hunchakian parties struggled in 1926 for control of the newly established shanty-town of Bourj Hammoud in Lebanon; ARF member Vahan Vartabedian was assassinated. The assassination of Hunchakian members Mihran Aghazarian and S. Dekhrouhi followed in 1929 and 1931 respectively. In 1956, when Bishop Zareh

8964-415: The AYF were to be held. They also decided the ARF should appoint a committee of seniors to assist the organization for the coming year. In the 1933-34 fiscal year many new chapters were formed across the country. It was due to the inspirational teachings of charismatic General Garegin Nzhdeh that AYF attracted thousands of members and supporters during that one year. Forty chapters were represented during

9130-476: The Allied war effort. The AYF held a testimonial banquet in Detroit on June 29, 1946, to honor the members returning to the US from the War and to pay tribute to those forty AYF members who had been killed during the war. During 1942-1946 more than 800 youth joined the ranks of the Armenian Youth Federation. The AYF created the "Song of the Year" program, which helped members learn Armenian National and Revolutionary songs, and organized essay contests, which spurred

9296-406: The Armenian Revolutionary Federation decided to assassinate Sultan Abdul Hamid II in response to the Hamidian massacres . Pierre Quillard , a French anarchist linked with the ARF attended and reported to his anarchist colleagues that the Armenians intended to use "extreme methods." One of Dashnaksutiun's founders Kristapor Mikaelian was killed by an accidental explosion during the planning of

9462-431: The Armenian national existence. As a result, the ARF leadership decided to defend Armenian churches by dispatching militiamen who acted as guards and by holding mass demonstrations. In 1904, the party broke with its old policy of non-struggle against the Tsarist authorities, engaging in acts of terrorism against the imperial bureaucracy and establishing separate schools, courts, and prisons in Russian Armenia. In 1905–06,

9628-523: The Armenian quarters of many Lebanese towns, including Bourj Hammoud. Many Armenians affiliated with the ARF took up arms voluntarily to defend their quarters. In the midst of the Lebanese civil war, the shadowy guerrilla organization Justice Commandos of the Armenian Genocide emerged and carried out assassinations from 1975 to 1983. The guerrilla organization has sometimes been linked to the Dashnaks. Ethnic Armenians are allocated six seats in Lebanon's 128-member National Assembly . The Lebanese branch of

9794-410: The Caucasus united to create the Transcaucasian Federation in the winter of 1918. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk had drastic consequences for the Armenians: Turkish forces reoccupied Western Armenia. The federation lasted for only three months, eventually leading to the proclamation of the Republics of Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. The negotiators for Armenia were from the ARF. With the collapse of

9960-406: The Dashnak members and concluded that he was insane. Ninety-four of the accused were acquitted, while the rest were either imprisoned or exiled for varying periods, the most severe being six years. The Dashnaktsutiun held a meeting on 26 April 1907, dubbed the Fourth General Congress, at which ARF leaders such as Aram Manukian , Hamo Ohanjanyan and Stepan Stepanian discussed their engagement in

10126-435: The Finance Department in exchange for promissory notes. Through this strategy, 40 million bank and investment accounts were quietly converted into war bonds, providing the Reich government with a continuous supply of money. Likewise, German bank commissioners compelled occupied Czechoslovakia to buy up German war bonds. By the end of the war, German war bonds accounted for 70% of investments held by Czechoslovakian banks. In

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10292-586: The First World War began in 1914, with Canadian war bonds called "Victory Bonds" after 1917. The first domestic war loan was raised in November 1915, but not until the fourth campaign of November 1917 was the term Victory Loan applied. The First Victory Loan was a 5.5% issue of 5, 10 and 20 year gold bonds in denominations as small as $ 50. It was quickly oversubscribed, collecting $ 398 million or about $ 50 per capita. The Second and Third Victory Loans were floated in 1918 and 1919, bringing another $ 1.34 billion. For those who could not afford to buy Victory Bonds,

10458-428: The German-occupied areas and to protect Armenia from a potential Turkish invasion in the event of a German victory over the Soviet Union. During the 1950s, tensions arose between the ARF and the Armenian SSR. The death of Catholicos Garegin of the Holy See of Cilicia prompted a struggle for succession. The National Ecclesiastic Assembly, which was largely influenced by the ARF, elected Zareh of Aleppo . This decision

10624-502: The Internship in Armenia program in 1992 to encourage Armenians in the Diaspora to visit and volunteer in Armenia. Over the past 25 years, the AYF has sent over 165 participants to the Homeland. The Internship in Armenia program turns the Homeland into a reality by exposing interns to the people and culture of present-day Armenia. Interns are placed in roles specific to their interests to help advance their professional goals while lending their time to their homeland. Interns live together for

10790-405: The Nazi government recognized the Armenian National Council ( Armenisches Nationales Gremium ), a collaborationist body directed against the Soviet Union whose vice-president was ARF member Abraham Gyulkhandanyan and whose members included ARF member Vahan Papazian and former ARF member Garegin Nzhdeh . The main motivation for this collaboration was likely a desire to protect Armenians living in

10956-471: The Russian Colonel Vladimir Liakhov , Yeprem Khan rallied with Sattar Khan and other revolutionary leaders in the Constitutional Revolution of Iran against Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar . Relations between Sattar Khan and the ARF oscillated between amity and resentment. Sometimes he was viewed as being ignorant, while at other times he was dubbed a great hero. Nonetheless, the ARF came to collaborate with him and alongside Yeprem Khan posted many victories including

11122-428: The Russian Empire until the decision of the Russian authorities to confiscate Armenian Church property in 1903. Initially restricting its demands to the establishment of autonomy and democratic rights for Armenians in the two empires, the party adopted an independent and united Armenia as part of its program in 1919. In 1918, the party was instrumental in the formation of the First Republic of Armenia , which fell to

11288-484: The San Gabriel Mountains. The YMCA Camp Big Pines site happened to be available and very much suitable to the needs of the Armenian Youth Federation, because it was close to the Los Angeles area, and easily assessable to the San Joaquin Valley. In early 1978, negotiations were conducted for a ninety-year lease. The camp was purchased for $ 80,000. In earlier years, five regional structures (New England, Mid-Atlantic, Mid-West, California, and Canada) had been created to address

11454-476: The Transcaucasian Federation, the Armenians were left to fend for themselves as the Turkish army approached the capital of Yerevan . At first, fearing a major military defeat and massacre of the population of Armenia, the Dashnaks wanted to evacuate the city of Yerevan. Instead, the Military Council headed by Colonel Pirumian decided that they would not surrender and would confront the Turkish army. The opposing armies met on 28 May 1918, near Sardarapat . The battle

11620-440: The Treasury issued £300 million (equivalent to £25.1 billion in 2013) of paper banknotes, without the backing of gold, with which the banks could repay their obligations. Leading banker Walter Leaf described these Treasury notes as "essentially a War Loan free of interest, for an unlimited period, and as such was a highly profitable expedient from the point of view of the Government". The first interest-bearing War Loan

11786-494: The US, Echmiadzin branch churches of the Armenian Apostolic Church would not admit members of the ARF. This was one of the reasons why the ARF discouraged people from attending these churches and brought the representatives from a different wing of the church, the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia , from Lebanon to the US. In 1933, members of ARF were convicted in the assassination of Armenian archbishop Levon Tourian with large butcher knives in New York City. Prior to his murder,

11952-673: The United Kingdom, the National Savings Movement was instrumental in raising funds for the war effort during both world wars. During World War II a War Savings Campaign was set up by the War Office to support the war effort. Local savings weeks were held which were promoted with posters with titles such as "Lend to Defend the Right to Be Free", "Save Your Way to Victory" and "War Savings Are Warships". By

12118-565: The United Kingdom. Approximately half of the Canadian war cost was covered by War Savings Certificates and war bonds known as "Victory Bonds" as in World War I. War Savings Certificates began selling in May 1940 and were sold door-to-door by volunteers as well as at banks, post offices, trust companies and other authorised dealers. The certificates matured after seven years, providing a return of $ 5 for every $ 4 invested. Initially, individual ownership

12284-424: The United States during World War II, primarily to members of the historic peace churches as an alternative for those who could not conscientiously buy something meant to support the war. These were U.S. Government Bonds not labelled as defense bonds. In all, 33,006 subscriptions were sold for a total value of $ 6.74 million, mostly to Mennonites , Brethren , and Quakers . Research has shown that parties to

12450-841: The United States government issued Liberty Bonds to raise money for its involvement in World War 1. An aggressive campaign was created by Secretary of the Treasury William Gibbs McAdoo to popularize the bonds, grounded largely as patriotic appeals. The Treasury Department worked closely with the Committee on Public Information in developing Liberty Bond campaigns. The resulting propaganda messages often borrowed heavily from military colloquial speech. The government used famous artists to make posters and used movie and stage stars to host bond rallies. Al Jolson , Ethel Barrymore , Marie Dressler , Elsie Janis , Theda Bara , Fatty Arbuckle , Mabel Normand , Mary Pickford , Douglas Fairbanks and Charlie Chaplin were among

12616-627: The United States government paid the bondholder $ 25. Large denominations of between $ 50 and $ 1000 were also made available, all of which, unlike the Liberty Bonds of the First World War, were non-negotiable bonds. For those who found it difficult to purchase an entire bond at once, 10-cent savings stamps could be purchased and collected in Treasury-approved stamp albums until the recipient had accumulated enough stamps for

12782-623: The War Savings Certificates, there was no purchase limit to Victory Bonds. The bonds were issued with maturities of between six and fourteen years with interest rates ranging from 1.5% for short-term bonds and 3% for long-term bonds and were issued in denominations of between $ 50 and $ 100,000. Canadians bought $ 12.5 billion worth of Victory Bonds or some $ 550 per capita with businesses accounting for half of all Victory Bond sales. The first Victory Bond issue in February 1940 met its goal of $ 20 million in less than 48 hours,

12948-637: The Young Turks came to power, autonomy would be granted to the Armenians. In 1908, Abdul Hamid II was overthrown during the Young Turk Revolution , which launched the Second Constitutional Era of the Ottoman Empire . Dashnaktsutiun became a legal political party and Armenians gained more seats in the 1908 parliament, but the reforms fell short of the greater autonomy that the ARF had hoped for. The Adana massacre in 1909 also created antipathy between Armenians and Turks, and

13114-434: The achievement of political goals. In January 1912, 159 ARF members, being lawyers, bankers, merchants and other intellectuals, were tried before the Russian senate for their participation in the party. They were defended by then-lawyer Alexander Kerensky , who challenged much of the evidence used against them as the "original investigators had been encouraged by the local administration to use any available means" to convict

13280-537: The aid of Peter Odegard , a political scientist specialised in propaganda, in drawing up the goals for the bond program. On the advice of Odegard the Treasury began marketing the previously successful baby bonds as "defense bonds". Three new series of bond notes, Series E, F and G, would be introduced, of which Series E would be targeted at individuals as "defense bonds". Like the baby bonds, they were sold for as little as $ 18.75 and matured in ten years, at which time

13446-481: The ancient Monastery at Tatev , Karahunj and sites throughout Nagorno-Karabakh and Javakhk . This combination of touring and volunteer work is perfect for both first time visitors and frequent travelers to Armenia. In 2018, AYF launched the first program in Artsakh for Armenian youth in order to give Armenian from the diaspora to live and work in Artsakh for six weeks over the summer. Each AYF chapter represents

13612-443: The archbishop had been accused of being exclusively pro-Soviet by the ARF. The ARF was legally exonerated of any direct involvement in the assassination, but the incident weakened the party in the United States and led to its members being ostracized by the other Armenian political parties. During World War II , some ARF members, specifically those living in areas under German occupation, collaborated with Nazi Germany. However, this

13778-508: The athletic program included boxing, wrestling, baseball, soccer, and basketball, for which numerous inter-chapter tournaments were organized. In 1941, the organization changed its name from the ARF Tseghakrons to the Armenian Youth Federation. This change was necessary because the name "Tseghakrons" was difficult to manage among non-Armenian speakers and it was being maliciously misinterpreted in some quarters. From that point on,

13944-581: The attack and subsequent massacre. To raise awareness of the massacres of 1895–96 , members of the Dashnaktsutiun led by Papken Siuni , occupied the Ottoman Bank on 26 August 1896. The purpose of the raid was to dictate the ARF's demands of reform in the Armenian populated areas of the Ottoman Empire and to attract European attention to their cause since the Europeans had many assets in

14110-503: The bank. The operation caught European attention but at the cost of more massacres by Sultan Abdul Hamid II . During this period, many famous intellectuals joined the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, including Harutiun Shahrigian , Avetik Isahakyan , Hakob Zavriev , Levon Shant , Karekin Khajag , Vartkes Serengülian , Abraham Gyulkhandanyan , Vahan Papazian , Siamanto , Nikol Aghbalian and many others. The Khanasor Expedition

14276-593: The bonds such as Any Bonds Today? , a 1942 Warner Bros. theatrical cartoon. More than a quarter of a billion dollars' worth of advertising was donated during the first three years of the National Defense Savings Program. The government appealed to the public through popular culture. Norman Rockwell 's painting series, the Four Freedoms , toured in a war bond effort that raised $ 132 million. Bond rallies were held throughout

14442-481: The borders of Armenia recognized by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson and outlined in the Treaty of Sèvres . After Armenia fell under Soviet control in 1920, the ARF within the Armenian diaspora opposed Soviet rule over Armenia and rallied in support of Armenian independence. It contributed to organizing a social and cultural framework aimed at preserving the Armenian identity. However, because of tight communist control,

14608-707: The capture of Rasht in February 1909. At the end of June 1909, the fighters arrived in Tehran and after several battles, took over the Majles building and the Sepahsalar Mosque . Yeprem Khan was then appointed chief of Tehran police. This caused tensions between the Dashnaks and Khan. The ARF became a major political force in Armenian life. It was especially active in the Ottoman Empire, where it organized or participated in many revolutionary activities. The ARF

14774-480: The celebrities who made public appearances promoting the patriotic element of purchasing Liberty Bonds. Chaplin also made a short film, The Bond , at his own expense for the drive. Even the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts sold bonds under the slogan "Every Scout to Save a Soldier". The campaign spurred community efforts across the country to sell the bonds and was a great success resulting in over-subscriptions to

14940-400: The chapters in different countries were allowed to plan and implement policies in tune with their local political atmosphere. The party set its goal of a society based on the democratic principles of freedom of assembly , freedom of speech , freedom of religion and agrarian reform . The ARF gradually acquired significant strength and sympathy among Russian Armenians . Mainly because of

15106-586: The city when the First World War ended, and Turkey, along with Germany and Austria-Hungary , surrendered to the Allies . British forces ordered Andranik to stop all military advances, assuring him that the conflict would be solved with the Paris Peace Conference of 1919 . Andranik, not wanting to antagonize the British, retreated to Goris, Zangezur . The Armenian Revolutionary Federation had

15272-552: The communists took over the short-lived First Republic of Armenia and ARF leaders were exiled, the Dashnaks moved their base of operations to where the Armenian diaspora had settled. With the large influx of Armenian refugees in the Levant , the ARF established a strong political structure in Lebanon and to a lesser extent, Syria . From 1921 to 1990, the Dashnaktsutiun established political structures in more than 200 states, including

15438-454: The community. Despite these changes the AYF laid the foundation for another generation of youth. New programs were added to AYF's already wide array of activities, while established programs grew both in size and scope. During the 1950s the "Blue Book" educational series focused primarily on Armenian History, but also covered geography, culture and customs, the arts, and other subjects. Complete with maps and photographs, these "Blue Books" formed

15604-461: The country with famous celebrities, usually Hollywood film stars, to enhance the bond advertising effectiveness. Many motion pictures during the time, especially war dramas (a form of propaganda itself), included a graphic shown during the closing credits advising patrons to "Buy War Bonds and Stamps", which were sometimes sold in the lobby of the theater. The Music Publishers Protective Association encouraged its members to include patriotic messages on

15770-524: The criticisms of their rivals to the left (the Hunchaks, Bolsheviks and Specifists ), the Dashnak leaders argued that, given employment discrimination against Armenian workers in non-Armenian concerns, the defence provided to the Armenian bourgeoisie was essential to the safekeeping of employment opportunities for Armenian laborers. The Russian Tsar's envoy in the Caucasus , Vorontsov-Dashkov, reported that

15936-606: The declared goal of achieving "the political and economic freedom of Turkish Armenia " by means of armed rebellion. In the 1890s, the party sought to unify the various small groups in the Ottoman Empire that were advocating reform and defending Armenian villages from the massacres and banditry that were widespread in some of the Armenian-populated areas of the empire. ARF members formed groups of partisans ( fedayi ) that defended Armenian civilians through armed resistance. The party refrained from revolutionary activity in

16102-655: The demands for just reparations and the return of Turkish-occupied but historically Armenian lands. By the early 1970s, the AYF had become even more dynamic and continued to grow. Some of the larger Junior and Senior chapters held over 100 members. In 1970, the Armenian Youth Federation Camp was established for members living in the Western Region. For the first couple of years, the AYF rented different locations suitable for summer camp. The AYF Camp Committee decided to acquire its own place in

16268-569: The diversity of the Diaspora and tolerance for our differences; all of which are critical in helping them grow to become members of a healthy civil society. The camps accept hundreds of children every summer and provide a safe and fun environment for them to build new friendships and acquire new skills. The camp program is just as special for its counselors, who plan the curriculum, teach the classes, and spend six months ahead of their trip doing grassroots fundraising in their local communities to raise

16434-716: The early 1980s, the AYF had largely become a political organization that coordinated events such as hunger strikes and demonstrations to protest against the denial of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 by the Turkish Government and the rest of the world. In the late 1980s, the AYF added onto its title, and became the Armenian Youth Federation-Youth Organization Of The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (AYF-YOARF). In

16600-534: The early 1990s the AYF found a new challenge: Nagorno-Karabakh . In 1988 the struggle for independence in the Karabagh region started. AYF became involved in fund raising activities to supply much-needed funds to the people in Karabakh. Even after the independence of Nagorno-Karabagh in 1991 and the cease-fire in 1993, the AYF continued to help the region. In 1994 the AYF Western Region decided to create

16766-509: The elections, most of the men were found not guilty with the exception of several defendants charged for engaging in corrupt business practices. Three men from the "Dro Group" case (Arsen Artsruni, Armenak Mnjoyan, Armen Grigoryan) and one man from the group of 31 (Tigran Avetisyan) were sentenced to death for murder. Their sentences were commuted to life imprisonment in 2003. Mnjoyan died while in prison in early 2019, while Artsruni and Avetisyan continue to serve their sentences. The ban on

16932-497: The evidence against the defendants. He later stated in an interview that he was unsure if the evidence was true, inviting the notion that the party was banned because of its increasing chances of winning seats in the July 1995 parliamentary elections. The trials were marked by accusations of misconduct, including forced confessions, and were regarded as politically motivated by the opposition and human rights groups. Several months after

17098-496: The federation early on. Despite this, the party began to organize itself in the Ottoman Empire and convened its First General Congress in 1892, where a program containing socialist principles was adopted. The original aim of the ARF was to gain autonomy for the Armenian-populated areas in the Ottoman Empire by means of armed rebellion. At the First Congress, the party adopted a decentralized modus operandi according to which

17264-634: The first AYF Convention that took place at the Hairenik Hall in 1934. It was decided then that the organization was to be named the ARF Tseghagrons (or "young pledgers"), which was concerned with stopping assimilation and instilling the youth with Armenian pride. But the main goal remained to work against Kemalist Turkey and the Soviet Union for the establishment of a free, independent, and united Armenia. The convention also elected

17430-528: The first Central Executive composed of five members. The members of the Central Executive were Hamparsoum Gelanian, John Der Hovanessian, Hagop Hagopian, Arthur Giragosian and K. Merton Bozoian. Soon after the first Convention, the Armenian Youth Federation expanded north of the border, forming its first Canadian chapter in St. Catharines, Ontario , in 1934. The Armenian Youth Federation worked to define

17596-419: The following chapters: The Armenian Youth Federation of Canada consists of the following chapters: Armenian Revolutionary Federation The Armenian Revolutionary Federation ( Armenian : Հայ Յեղափոխական Դաշնակցութիւն , romanized :  Hay Heghapokhakan Dashnaktsutyun , abbr. ARF (ՀՅԴ) or ARF-D ), also known as Dashnaktsutyun ( Armenian : Դաշնակցություն, lit. "Federation" ),

17762-538: The form of treasury bills and exchequer bonds during World War I. Treasury bills provided the bulk of British government funds in 1916, and were available for terms of 3, 6, 9 and 12 months at an interest rate of 5%. Although these were not formally designated as war bonds, advertising was explicit about their purpose. This April 1916 advertisement for 5% Exchequer bonds was typical of the time: "Lend Your Money to Your Country. The soldier does not grudge offering his life to his country. He offers it freely, for his life may be

17928-591: The front of their sheet music like "Buy U.S. Bonds and Stamps". Over the course of the war 85 million Americans purchased bonds totalling approximately $ 185 billion. Named after the 1942 Hollywood Victory Caravan , a 1945 Paramount-produced film promoted bond sales after the end of World War II. The short subject included Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Alan Ladd, William Demarest, Franklin Pangborn , Barbara Stanwyck, Humphrey Bogart, and others. Aside from movies and music, there were countless other programs held throughout

18094-548: The general populace to buy long-term war bonds as had been done during the First World War. The Reich government did not want to present any perceived form of public referendum on the war, which would be the indirect result if a bond drive did poorly. Rather, the regime financed its war efforts by borrowing directly from financial institutions, using short-term war bonds as collateral. German bankers, with no demonstration of resistance, agreed to taking state bonds into their portfolios. Financial institutions transferred their money to

18260-733: The gold reserves of the Bank of England, and effectively of all banking institutions in Great Britain, amounted to £9 million. The banks feared the declaration of war would trigger a run on the banks, so the Chancellor David Lloyd George extended the August bank holiday for three days to allow time for the passing of the Currency and Bank Notes Act 1914 , by which Britain left the gold standard . Under this Act

18426-725: The government coalition , the Republican Party and Prosperous Armenia Party. The Country of Law party was also a member of the governing coalition until it pulled out in May 2006. With 16 of the 131 seats in the National Assembly of Armenia , the Armenian Revolutionary Federation became the third-largest party in parliament. In addition to its parliamentary seats, the following governmental ministries were also headed by ARF members: Ministry of Agriculture, Davit Lokian; Ministry of Education and Science, Levon Mkrtchian; Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Aghvan Vardanian ; Ministry of Healthcare, Norair Davidian. On 13 July 2007,

18592-485: The government also issued War Savings Certificates. The government awarded communities who bought large amounts of bonds Victory Loan Honour Flags. Unlike France and Britain, at the outbreak of the First World War Germany found itself largely excluded from international financial markets. This became most apparent after an attempt to float a major loan on Wall Street failed in 1914. As such, Germany

18758-554: The groundwork for the upcoming year's activity and goals, followed by the election of the new Central Executive. The AYF has a number of summer opportunities available to membership and Armenian youth in general. Camp Haiastan is the AYF's camp, founded in 1951 and located in Franklin, Massachusetts . Campers are aged 8–16 and can become counselors in training at 17 years old, followed by counselors, lifeguards, Armenian School teachers at ages 18 and older. The AYF Eastern Region began

18924-545: The late 19th century, the Russian Empire became the hub of small groups advocating reform in Armenian-populated areas in the Ottoman Empire . In 1890, recognizing the need to unify these groups in order to be more efficient, Christapor Mikaelian , Simon Zavarian and Stepan Zorian created a new political party called the "Federation of Armenian Revolutionaries" ( Հայ Յեղափոխականների Դաշնակցութիւն , Hay Heghapokhakanneri Dashnaktsutyun), which would eventually be called

19090-502: The leader of the resistance, and lasted for two months. In May, the Armenian battalions and Russian regulars entered the city and successfully drove the Ottoman army out of Van. The Dashnaktsutiun was also involved in other less-successful resistance movements in Zeitun , Shabin-Karahisar , Urfa , and Musa Dagh . After the end of the Van resistance, ARF leader Aram Manukian became governor of

19256-440: The means of most children, so the third bond issue, in 1915, introduced a scheme whereby children could donate a small amount and take out a bank loan to cover the rest of the 100 kronen. The initiative was immensely successful, eliciting funds and encouraging loyalty to the state and its future among Austro-Hungarian youth. Over 13 million kronen was collected in the first three "child bond" issues. Canada's involvement in

19422-403: The men. Kerensky succeeded in having the evidence reexamined for one of the defendants. He and several other lawyers "made openly contemptuous declarations" about this discrepancy to the Russian press, which was forbidden to attend the trials, and this in turn greatly embarrassed the senators. The Senate eventually opened an inquiry against the chief magistrate who had brought the charges against

19588-408: The money needed to run the day camp and live in Armenia. In addition to volunteering with kids, Youth Corps participants travel throughout Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and Javakhk, experiencing historic, exciting and off the beaten path adventures. Participants can expect to visit such traditional sites as Lake Sevan , Echmiadzin , Dzidzernagapert , and Sardarabad , as well as unique destinations like

19754-412: The more honed direction the committee developed strategies, propaganda and the wide recruitment of volunteers for bonds drives. Bond drives took place every six months during which no other organization was permitted to solicit the public for money. The government spent over $ 3 million on marketing which employed posters, direct mailing, movie trailers (including some by Walt Disney in cooperation with

19920-491: The most influential political party in the Armenian diaspora, it has a comparatively smaller proportional presence in modern-day Armenia . As of October 2023 , the party was represented in two national parliaments, with ten seats in the National Assembly of Armenia and three seats in the Parliament of Lebanon as part of the March 8 Alliance . The ARF has traditionally advocated socialist democracy and has been

20086-465: The new coalition government . The third War Loan was launched in January 1917 at a 5% discount to face value and paying 5% interest (or 4% tax-free for 25 years), a rate Lloyd George described as "penal". Holders of existing War Loans, Treasury Bills and War Expenditure Certificates could convert to the 5% issue. Of the £2.08 billion raised by the 5% War Loan, only £845 million was new money;

20252-448: The new rate. In his memoirs Lloyd George stated his regret that his successor Reginald McKenna increased the interest rate at a time when investors had few alternatives. Not only did it directly increase the nation's annual interest payments by £100 million but it meant interest rates were higher throughout the economy during the post-war depression . Compared to France, the British government relied more on short-term financing in

20418-551: The newly established National Film Board of Canada 's animation department that the former partner helped establish), radio commercials and full page advertisements in most major daily newspapers and weekly magazines. Realistic staged military invasions, such as the If Day scenario in Winnipeg , Manitoba , were even employed to raise awareness and shock citizens into purchasing bonds. The Nazi regime never attempted to convince

20584-469: The nickname "Aram of Van". Moreover, on 19 April, he issued an order to exterminate all Armenians, and threatened to kill all Muslims who helped them. About 185,000 Armenians lived in Vaspurakan . In the city of Van itself, there were around 30,000 Armenians, but more Armenians from surrounding villages joined them during the Ottoman offensive. The battle started on 20 April 1915, with Aram Manukian as

20750-607: The old Hairenik Hall in Boston, MA. The conference was to discuss the unification of the interested youth groups. Forty youths from the Massachusetts Armenian communities of Boston , Brockton , Chelsea , Lawrence , Lynn , Watertown , Whitinsville , and Worcester were present at the conference. This conference decided to hold a convention in June 1934, at which time the elections of the first Central Executive of

20916-612: The operation. In 1905, members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation organized the failed Yıldız Attempt , an assassination plot on Sultan Abdul Hamid II in the capital of the Ottoman Empire, Constantinople (modern day Istanbul ); the explosion missed its target by a few minutes and was helped by Belgian anarchist Edward Joris . He was arrested and sentenced to death, prompting Pierre Quillard to use his journal, Pro Armenia , to advocate for his release —a stance shared by his colleague Jean Grave in Les Temps nouveaux . In

21082-456: The organization during its first years. Chapters were organizing programs such as the drum and bugle corps, theater troupes and charity service work like Boston's " Siamanto Santa". The Armenian Youth Federation, which was often playing the role of an Armenian school, gave priority to its educational program. Each of the forty chapters organized "educationals" on the chapter level. The Central Executive provided lists of educational topics, printed

21248-605: The organization in the United States would be known as the AYF. Life during the Great Depression and Second World War presented many new challenges for the Armenian community in America. Although faced with these additional challenges the AYF was able to continue growing, both in size and nature. The greatest effect of war on the AYF was the entrance of many AYF members into the US Armed Forces. In 1944–45, it

21414-480: The organization's senior membership. Convention is the AYF Eastern Region's annual year end meeting and audit. Each chapter in the Eastern Region sends an allotted amount of delegates to present on their chapter's activity. The AYF Central Executive and committees also prepare year end reports to go over and discuss the successes and failures of the organization from the past year. The convention then lay

21580-422: The organizations and traditionally has been one of the staunchest supporters of Armenian nationalism . The party campaigns for the recognition of the Armenian genocide and the right to reparations . It also advocates the establishment of United Armenia , partially based on the Treaty of Sèvres of 1920. The ARF originated as a merger of various Armenian political groups, mainly from the Russian Empire , with

21746-554: The parliamentary régime in Syria , there were reserved seats for the various religious communities, like in Lebanon, including for Armenians. This system is unofficially still living. Even when they didn't take part as such in elections, Armenian parties such as Dashnak exerted an influence on them. The ARF has always maintained its ideological commitment to "a Free, Independent, and United Armenia". The term United Armenia refers to

21912-445: The party was lifted less than a week after Ter-Petrosyan fell from power in February 1998 and was replaced by Robert Kocharyan , who was backed by the Dashnaks. Most of the ARF members convicted in relation to the "Dro Group" and "Group of 31" cases were released after the relegalization of the party. In 2007, the ARF was not part of but had a cooperation agreement in place with the governing coalition, which consisted of two parties in

22078-556: The price of Victory. But Victory cannot be won without money as well as men, and your money is needed. Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk. If you invest in Exchequer Bonds your money, capital and interest alike, is secured on the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom, the premier security of the world." Policy changed when Asquith 's government fell in December 1916 and Bonar Law became Chancellor in

22244-463: The prime investors in the war bonds. In part because of intense public pressure and in part due to patriotic commitment the bond drives proved extremely successful, raising approximately 10 billion marks in funds. Although extremely successful the war bond drives only covered two-thirds of war-related expenditures. Meanwhile, the interest payable on the bonds represented a growing expense which required further resources to pay it. In August 1914,

22410-545: The problems brought on by the organization's vast expanse. By the 1970s, however, the obstacles of geography had become overwhelming. The 1973-74 fiscal year saw the split of the AYF into three separate administrative entities: Western U.S., Eastern U.S., and Canada. Later, the Canadian branch dropped the AYF name altogether and became the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Youth Organization of Canada (A.R.F.Y.O.C.). During

22576-410: The ranks and revitalize the organization as a new decade approached. The 1960s were a time of great change and growth for the AYF. By this time, some of the smaller and more geographically isolated communities began to see the beginning of the end as Armenians relocated to other, larger metropolitan areas. The role of AYF forever changed from being a gathering point for local Armenian youth to serving as

22742-536: The recognition of large territorial losses to Turkey. The Armenia military-revolutionary committee formed in Soviet Azerbaijan . Despite their tight grip on power, the ARF ceded power to the Communist Red Army troops invading from the north, which culminated with a Soviet takeover. The ARF was banned, its leaders exiled, and many of its members dispersed to other parts of the world. After

22908-545: The rest was conversions of £820 million of 4.5% Loan, £281 million of Exchequer Bonds and £130 million of Treasury Bills. Labour politician Tom Johnston would later write of the 1917 War Loan "No foreign conqueror could have devised a more complete robbery and enslavement of the British Nation". On 30 June 1932 Neville Chamberlain announced that the Government would exercise its right to call in

23074-549: The risk of inflation. However, Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau Jr. preferred a voluntary loan system and began planning a national defense bond program in the fall of 1940. The intent was to unite the attractiveness of the baby bonds that had been implemented in the interwar period with the patriotic element of the Liberty Bonds from the First World War. Henry Morgenthau Jr. sought

23240-529: The same, the motion called for an English, as well as a French name, to be added to the constitution. The Canadian organization was henceforth called AYF Canada (Armenian Youth Federation Canada) in English, FJA Canada (Fédération de la Jeunesse Arménienne) in French. The Armenian Youth Federation's calendar is constantly active with social, educational, and athletic events for both junior and senior members. Below

23406-605: The second issue in September 1940 reaching its goal of $ 30 million almost as quickly. When it became apparent that the war would last a number of years the war bond and certificate programs were organised more formally under the National War Finance Committee in December 1941, directed initially by the president of the Bank of Montreal and subsequently by the Governor of the Bank of Canada . Under

23572-616: The second, third, and fourth bond issues. According to the Massachusetts Historical Society , "Because the first World War cost the federal government more than $ 30 billion (by way of comparison, total federal expenditures in 1913 were only $ 970 million), these programs became vital as a way to raise funds." Canada's involvement in the Second World War began when Canada declared war on Nazi Germany on September 10, 1939, one week after

23738-499: The situation in the country became worse, with apparent rapprochement between Soviet Russia and Kemal's Turkey. When the Turkish-Armenian war started in autumn 1920, Armenia was isolated and abandoned by Western allies. The newly formed League of Nations did not provide any help. Soviet Russia intensified its pressure on Armenia. Losing the war, Armenia signed the Treaty of Alexandropol on 2 December 1920, which resulted in

23904-694: The so-called "patriotic demand". As the conflict develops, the risk increases, and only patriotic demand persists. In the late 1970s and 1980s South Africa issued Defence Bonus Bonds in order to fund the border wars in Angola and Namibia and to fund the Defence Industry that was necessary due to sanctions. During the Iran-Iraq War , the Iraqi government issued war bonds to finance the war. Each war bond cost 100 dinars. On 1 March 2022, following

24070-654: The states to encourage the purchasing of war bonds. One such promotion that was held, at the least, in Nebraska and Montana, allowed for citizens to "get Hitler's goat," a play on the phrase "to get someone's goat" meaning to make someone angry or annoyed. The goat would be held up for "auction" with the money going directly towards war bonds. According to one source, the auctioning of "Hitler's goat" in Nebraska in 1942 raised $ 90,000 in War Bond sales. The National Service Board for Religious Objectors offered civilian bonds in

24236-434: The summer and tour the country during time off from work. The AYF Youth Corps program provides a unique opportunity for Armenian youth in the Diaspora to establish and strengthen ties with the homeland. The program began in 1994 after a cease-fire agreement was signed, ending the violence in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict . Between 1994 and 2007 the AYF sent Youth Corps volunteers to Nagorno-Karabakh to help rebuild many of

24402-571: The summer of 1940, the victories of Nazi Germany against Poland , Denmark , Norway , Belgium , the Netherlands , France , and Luxembourg brought urgency to the government, which was discreetly preparing for possible United States involvement in World War II . Of principal concern were issues surrounding war financing. Many of President Franklin D. Roosevelt 's advisers favored a system of tax increases and enforced savings program as advocated by British economist John Maynard Keynes . In theory, this would permit increased spending while decreasing

24568-408: The time when the Young Turks came to power in the Ottoman Empire, Armenians from the Caucasus , Western Armenia , and Iran started to collaborate with Iranian constitutionalists and revolutionaries. Political parties, notably the Dashnaktsutiun, wanted to influence the direction of the revolution towards greater democracy and to safeguard gains already achieved. The Dashnak contribution to the fight

24734-526: The war and after it had separated from Austria, in the form of stocks that permitted the subscriber to demand repayment after a year's notice. Interest was fixed at 6%, and the smallest denomination was 50 korona . Subscriptions to the first Austrian bond issue amounted to $ 440 million; those of the first Hungarian issue amounted to $ 235 million. The limited financial resources of children were tapped through campaigns in schools. The initial minimum Austrian bond denomination of 100 kronen still exceeded

24900-537: The war-torn villages in our newly liberated Arstakh . In 2008, the AYF Youth Corps program shifted from rebuilding shattered buildings to operating a summer day camp for underprivileged youth in Gyumri , Armenia's second largest city. With the establishment of the camp, Youth Corps volunteers were able to provide hundreds of children with an unforgettable and productive summer. Since 2011, the program expanded from one location in Gyumri to multiple other campsites across Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. The Youth Corps program

25066-462: The war. Instead, it implemented a war finance policy modeled upon that of Germany: in November 1914, the first funded loan was issued. As in Germany, the Austro-Hungarian loans followed a prearranged plan and were issued at half yearly intervals every November and May. The first Austrian bonds paid 5% interest and had a five-year term. The smallest bond denomination available was 100 kronen . Hungary issued loans separately from Austria in 1919, after

25232-399: Was a major military success for the Armenian army as it was able to halt the invading Turkish forces. The Armenians also stood their ground at the Battle of Kara Killisse and at the Battle of Bash Abaran . The creation of the First Republic of Armenia was proclaimed on the same day of the Battle of Sardarapat, and the ARF became the ruling party. However, the new state was devastated, with

25398-409: Was conceived by Harry Sachaklian. In 1935 the AYF established a scholarship fund for worthy and needy students who were pursuing higher education. One of the centerpieces of the AYF today is the Olympics, which began in 1934 in Brockton and immediately became an annual tradition. The Worcester "Aram" Chapter won every single event at the first Olympics setting an unsurpassable record. Other aspects of

25564-418: Was consecrated Catholicos of Cilicia, the Catholicos of Echmiadzin refused to recognize his authority. This controversy polarized the Armenian community of Lebanon. As a result, in the context of the Lebanese civil strife of 1958 , an armed conflict erupted between supporters (the ARF) and opponents (Hunchakians, Ramgavars) of Zareh. Prior to the Lebanese Civil War of 1975–90, the party was closely allied to

25730-473: Was especially influential due to their ability to educate the population through a system of "educating, explaining,and encouraging". This was a tactic used to disseminate information to gain support in terms of political elections, campaigns, or alliances to strengthen the ARF's social relations. When they weren't educating their youth and preparing the new generation for revolution, they themselves were taking part in revolutionary activities. For example, in 1894,

25896-558: Was extensive use of propaganda via all possible media. Most bonds had a rate of return of 5% and were redeemable over a ten-year period, in semi-annual payments. Like war bonds in other countries, the German war bonds drives were designed to be extravagant displays of patriotism and the bonds were sold through banks, post offices and other financial institutions. As in other countries, the majority investors were not individuals but institutions and large corporations. Industries, university endowments, local banks and even city governments were

26062-422: Was followed by £901 million of a second War Loan in June 1915, at 4.5%. £17.6 million of this was accounted for by conversion of the 3.5% issue, and a further £138 million by holders of 2.5% and 2.75% Consols , who were also allowed to transfer to the higher interest rate. The government also pledged that if they issued War Loans at even higher interest, holders of the 4.5% bonds might also convert to

26228-417: Was issued in November 1914 at an interest rate of 3.5%, to be redeemed at par value in 1925–28. It raised £333 million; £350 million at face value as it was issued at a 5% discount. It was revealed in 2017 that public subscriptions amounted to £91m, and the balance had been subscribed by the Bank of England, under the names of then governor, John Gordon Nairne , and his deputy Ernest Harvey . It

26394-441: Was largely limited to domestic borrowing, which was induced by a series of war credit bills passing the Reichstag . This took place in many forms; however, the most publicised were the public war bond ( Kriegsanleihe ) drives. Nine bond drives were conducted over the length of the war and, as in Austria-Hungary, the loans were issued at six-month intervals. The drives themselves would often last several weeks, during which there

26560-439: Was limited to $ 500 in maturities per year, though this cap was later raised to $ 600. Although the effort raised $ 318 million in funds and was successful in financially involving millions of Canadians in the war effort, it only provided the Government of Canada with a fraction of what was needed. The sale of Victory Bonds proved far more successful financially. There were ten wartime and one postwar Victory Bond drives. Unlike

26726-408: Was mostly military, as it sent some of its well-known fedayees to Iran after the guerrilla campaign in the Ottoman Empire ended with the rise of the Young Turks. A notable ARF member already in Iran was Yeprem Khan , who had established a branch of the party in the country. Yeprem Khan was highly instrumental in the Constitutional revolution of Iran. After the Persian national parliament was shelled by

26892-409: Was not the position of the entire party, and the party bureau in Cairo declared its loyalty to the Allies. The Armenian Legion , composed largely of former Soviet Red Army POWs, was led by Drastamat Kanayan. It participated in the occupation of the Crimean Peninsula and the North Caucasus. but was later based in the Netherlands and France a result of Adolf Hitler's distrust of their loyalty. In 1942,

27058-406: Was part of a greater conflict that raged between the two "camps" of the Armenian diaspora. The ARF still resented the fact that they were ousted from Armenia after the Red Army took control, and the ARF leaders supported the creation of a "Free, Independent, and United Armenia", free from both Soviet and Turkish hegemony. The Social Democrat Hunchakian Party and Ramgavar Party , the main rivals of

27224-405: Was performed by the Armenian militia against the Kurdish Mazrik tribe on 25 July 1897. During the Defense of Van, the Mazrik tribe had ambushed a squad of Armenian defenders and massacred them. The Khanasor Expedition was the ARF's retaliation. Some Armenians consider this their first victory over the Ottoman Empire and celebrate each year in its remembrance. On 30 March 1904, the ARF played

27390-456: Was rejected by the Echmiadzin-based Catholicos of All Armenians , the anti-ARF coalition, and Soviet Armenian authorities. Zareh extended his administrative authority over a large part of the Armenian diaspora, furthering the rift that had already been created by his election. This event split the large Armenian community of Lebanon , creating sporadic clashes between the supporters of Zareh and those who opposed his election. Religious conflict

27556-434: Was the opening of Camp Haiastan in Franklin, Massachusetts, in 1951. Starting off slowly, and with separate boys and girls sessions, the camp grew gradually throughout the 1950s, becoming co-ed in 1957 and breaking the 50-camper mark the same year. A year later, the Armenian Youth Federation marked its 25th anniversary with celebrations great and small throughout the US and Canada. These activities helped generate enthusiasm in

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