IV.

A Country Divided

About 1240 Armenia was invaded by the Mongols, who ruled it until the early 15th century. A period of confusion, during which Iran for a short time controlled Armenia, ended when the Ottomans conquered most of the region in the 16th century. Thereafter it suffered ceaseless warfare between the Ottoman Empire and Iran. The Armenians remaining in the Iranian-controlled part were removed to another part of the country early in the 17th century, while those in the Ottoman part, after the fall of Constantinople in 1453, were reorganized under the leadership of an Armenian bishop. They were given a large degree of religious, cultural, and political autonomy. Yet, Russian conquests in the Caucasus in the 19th century were welcomed by the Armenians. After the Russians captured part of the region in 1828-1829, most Armenians moved into the Russian-conquered area. At first the Russians welcomed them, possibly hoping that a friendly attitude would make the Armenians in the Ottoman region their allies in the event of further hostilities.