The Blight of Asia

"The Blight of Asia" offers a harrowing and detailed first-hand account of the systematic destruction of Christian communities in Asia Minor during the early 20th century. Written by George Horton, a distinguished American diplomat who served as the U.S. Consul in Smyrna, this work provides an essential historical perspective on the events leading up to and including the catastrophic Great Fire of Smyrna in 1922.

Horton chronicles the tragic fate of Greek and Armenian populations, documenting what he describes as a deliberate policy of extermination. Beyond the immediate horrors of war and displacement, the narrative explores the complex geopolitical landscape of the era, critically examining the culpability of major world powers whose political and economic interests often superseded humanitarian concerns. By blending personal observation with diplomatic insight, "The Blight of Asia" serves as both a powerful indictment of international indifference and a vital record of ethnic and religious conflict in the Near East. This work remains a significant primary source for understanding the end of the Ottoman Empire and the profound human cost associated with the birth of modern national states in the region.

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