An irreconcilable struggle was waged in 1878–1904, and particularly since 1895, between the block of Great Powers seeking to implement reforms in Western Armenia, that suffered under the yoke of the Ottoman Empire, and the longing of the Sublime Porte to abort these processes. England, France and Russia, notwithstanding all controversies and rivalries between them, elaborated joint programs to establish capitalist fundamentals in the Ottoman Empire.

Keywordsletters by Mkrtich Khrimian Western Armenia Ottoman Empire reforms massacres self- defense of Sasun in 1904 Theodore Roosevelt Emile Loubet Edward VII Hovsep Sarajian Sahak Ayvatian Andranik Ozanian Gevorg Chaush Gegham Ter-Karapetian.

The forerunner of the Armenian volunteer movement was the fedayeen movement, which arose in Western Armenia at the end of the 19th century as a stronghold of armed resistance against the Ottoman enslavers. The volunteer movement was the continuation of the national liberation struggle and was driven by the aspiration of the Armenians to liberate Western Armenia from Ottoman oppression. The formation of the movement was also supported by the favorable position of Tsarist Russia, the authorities of which encouraged it in every possible way.

KeywordsWorld War I Armenian volunteer regiments the ''Horizon'' newspaper massacres Armenian refugees defensive battles the Tsarist authorities heroic commanders liberated Van