Russia and the Republics

1. Russia and the Republics Transcaucasia and Central Asia

2. Transcaucasia • Gateway of Migration • Bridges Europe and Asia • Trades routes = thriving commerce • Various people & cultures • “Mountain of Language” Jabal Al-Alsun • Religions -Predominantly Christian and Islamic b/c close proximity to Middle East King Tiridates III converted to Christianity in 300AD (WRE)

4. Transcaucasia • Czarist and Soviet Rule • 1700s, czar’s army made progress in Trancaucasia • 1723, Peter the Great’s army captures Azerbaijan • 1801, Russia annexed Georgia • 1828, took control of Armenia • 1870s, the czar’s army added the area to Russia • 1920s, Red Army took control of the region • Transcaucasia experienced same painful econ. & pol. changes as rest of U.S.S.R. • Regained autonomy after 1991

5. Transcaucasia Economic Potential • Agriculture and Industry • Have taken advantage of climate & limited landfor farming • Industry built by Soviets transformed urban regions • Iron, steel, chemicals and OIL • republics are highly sought after for oil and pipelines • “Land of Flames” • Dividing the Caspian Sea • If it is a sea, then each country has rights to the resources on the sea bed. (Azerbaijan) • If it is a lake, then each country must share the wealth equally. (Russia)

6. Transcaucasia • Complex and Troubled land • North = republics part of Russia – Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia & North Ossetia • South = Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan • Size of California • Inhabitants speak dozens of languages • Approximately 50 distinct ethnic groups • Various religions – Christianity and Islam are dominant

7. Transcaucasia • Conflict • Rigid Soviet control held tensions in check – “We’re floating in a zone of half-lawlessness, half-law . . . We destroyed the old system but replaced it with nothing. There is a vacuum.” – Former Soviet citizen • 1991, Civil War broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh (mountainous area) • Azerbaijan = history proves it belongs to them • Armenia = ¾ of population in ethnic Armenian • Colin Powell met with leaders in 2001 to settle the issue • As of 2012, it belongs to Azerbaijan

8. Transcaucasia • Chechnya • Fought against foreign rule continually since 15th century • Converted to Sunni Islam to gain entry into Ottoman Empire • 16th century, Chechnya declared part of Russia • 18th century, Chechens begin revolting • 1813, Russia formerly gains control after Russo-Persian War • Under Soviets • Chechens would rebel when Russian state was in flux (1905, 1917, 1930s, 1940s, 1990s) • 1991, Chechen Pres. DzhokharDudayev rallied for recognition of an independent nation • Boris Yeltsin said NO b/c it was never independent like the other republics were

9. Transcaucasia • Chechnya Cont’d • First Chechen War (1994-1996) • Despite superior weapons, Russians had to seek ceasefire • Successful in capturing Grozny • Unsuccessful in the mountains • Russian people did not like the war • Inter-War Years • Kidnappings and Islamic militants alarmed officials

14. Central asia • 5 Independent republics: • Kazakhstan • Kyrgyzstan • Tajikistan • Turkmenistan • Uzbekistan • Silk road

15. Central asia • “The Great Game” • Coined by Arthur Connoly in 19th century • Russia and GB disguised officers to map region and get to know local leaders • Russians won and Soviets took control until 1991 • Nuclear Testing (Semey, Kazakhstan) • Between 1949 and 1989, Soviets exploded 470 devices • Testing caused widespread health problems • Petroleum and Prosperity • Oil fields of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan = new “Great Game” • Problems of the region??