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 land for 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 Size of California
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. Dzhokhar Dudayev 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: Silk road Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Silk road

15. Central asia “The Great Game” Nuclear Testing (Semey, Kazakhstan)
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??