Changes

Following the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, Russians occupied the six Armenian vilayets, and Armenian nationalism was stimulated. In 1880, a revolutionary organization known as the Defenders of the Fatherland was organized in Erzurum. A few years later, in 1885, the Armenakan society was organized, and in 1887 the Hunchagian Party appeared. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktzutun) was formed in 1890.  The Dashnaks were socialists who sought to overthrow the Tsarist  system and create an independent state. They also wanted to acquire the Armenian areas in the Ottoman Empire by force.  

Following the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, Russians occupied the six Armenian vilayets, and Armenian nationalism was stimulated. In 1880, a revolutionary organization known as the Defenders of the Fatherland was organized in Erzurum. A few years later, in 1885, the Armenakan society was organized, and in 1887 the Hunchagian Party appeared. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktzutun) was formed in 1890.  The Dashnaks were socialists who sought to overthrow the Tsarist  system and create an independent state. They also wanted to acquire the Armenian areas in the Ottoman Empire by force.  

===Independence===

===Independence===

Amidst the chaos of Russia in 1918, period the Armenian National Council, with German help, declared the establishment of the Republic of Armenia (May 1918) on the territory of Russian Armenia. While most Armenians desired a democracy in their first chance at independence in 1918–20, for practical reasons they settled for a benevolent dictatorship instead.  The government sought a mandate status with Armenia under the control of the United States, but the U.S. Senate rejected the idea, and Armenia was taken over by Soviet Russia in December 1920.  Several hundred thousand Armenian refugees at the end of the war were scattered, and most emigrated to California.  

Amidst the chaos of Russia Empire in 1918, period the Armenian National Council, with German help, declared the establishment of the Republic of Armenia (May 1918) on the territory of Russian Armenia. While most Armenians desired a democracy in their first chance at independence in 1918–20, for practical reasons they settled for a benevolent dictatorship instead.  The government sought a mandate status with Armenia under the control of the United States, but the U.S. Senate rejected the idea, and Armenia was taken over by Soviet Russia in December 1920.  Several hundred thousand Armenian refugees at the end of the war were scattered, and most emigrated to California.  

[[File:Armenia2.jpg|thumb|550px|Ethnicity in Armenia and Caucasus]]

[[File:Armenia2.jpg|thumb|550px|Ethnicity in Armenia and Caucasus]]