TROUBLE OVER CAPITALS IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS (1918)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the struggle of the peoples of Transcaucasia after acquiring their independence (1918) for their current capitals. In order to clarify this topic, which was studied for the first time in historiography, the author conducted an ethnodemographic study of five cities [Tiflis (Tbilisi), Baku, Alexandropol (Gyumri), Elizavetpol (Ganja), Erivan], which had the potential to be the capitals of three nations (Georgians , Azerbaijanis, Armenians). The work also summarizes and transmits other necessary historical information. The ethno-demographic situation that developed on the eve of the First World War is analyzed in detail, and the military-political forces in the region are assessed. From the presented historical facts, it turns out that although the path to independence of the peoples of Transcaucasia was initially based on the Declaration on the right of the peoples of Russia to self-determination dated November 20 (15), 1917, the implementation of this right actually occurred thanks to the demands of Germany and its ally Turkey and the military political intervention in the South Caucasus. The first among the Transcaucasian peoples to gain independence on May 26, 1918 was the Georgian people, who took advantage of this right by separating from the Transcaucasian Seim on the recommendation of Germany and placing a German military mission in Georgia as a guarantor of its independence. With the military and political support of this country, the Georgians were able to choose Tiflis as their political center and were able to defeat the Armenian-Russian factor, which was more dominant in Tiflis at that time. (In the article, the Armenian-Russian factor in Tiflis is also characterized by historical informations, ethno-demographic, military-political comparisons.) According to the facts of the article, the Azerbaijani people gained independence after the Georgians — on May 28, 1918, and also declared their territories (Baku and Elizavetpol provinces , also some part of the Erivan Province). Azerbaijan temporarily (for 3 months) located its capital in Elizavetpol (Ganja) and took advantage of military assistance from Turkey under the Treaty of Batum of June 4, 1918, and also after the liberation of the main capital, Baku, from the Armenian-Bolshevik and Great Russian-British occupation, it moved there . As in the case of Tiflis, the main factor here was the Armenian-Russian military-political factor, which could not be influenced without military intervention. Although the Armenians, the third nation of the South Caucasus to gain independence, remained de facto independent on May 28, 1918, they faced difficulties. Because, according to the chairman of the Georgian National Council Noah Jordania, they did not have independent territory. And they were forced to proclaim the Act of Independence of Armenia not on May 28, 1918, but on May 30, 1918. The land claims of the Armenians to the eastern provinces of Turkey led to a war between them: the city of Alexandropol, which the Armenians considered their center, was occupied by the Turks, and there was a threat of occupation of Erivan. (In this city at that time, Azerbaijanis and Armenians represented almost equally. But the military-civil administration was in the hands of the Armenians due to the tutelage of Russia. In other words, the Russian army, demobilized from the Turkish front, handed this region to its Armenian military units.) In this case, in order to help the Armenians create a state and jointly achieve international recognition of the Transcaucasian republics, the Azerbaijanis refused from the right to historical succession, on May 29, 1918 they withdrew their claims to Erivan, which at that time was the 5th most populous city in Transcaucasia. And with this step, the fire between Turkish and Armenian troops ceased. And the next day (30.05.1918) the Declaration of Independence of Armenia was adopted…

In this study, the author briefly described the events against the background of the struggle of the peoples of the South Caucasus for their independence (1918) and their current capitals with possible evidence. This article is intended as a study that can provide effective scientific material on the causes of wars and possibilities for peace in the South Caucasus, as well as world diplomacy aimed at this region. To ensure effectiveness, the author resorted to alternative sources. The study carries with it the burden of historical knowledge that can significantly indicate which international political lines are temporary, unsuccessful, and which can be long-term and effective for strategy and diplomacy towards the peoples of the South Caucasus. The purpose of this article is also to call on the peoples and states of the South Caucasus to learn from the results of their recent past in order to be confident that lasting solutions to critical problems will come through fair compromises.