p.
81
The Caucasian War as Illustration of Alternative Versions of Adyghe History
The Caucasian war of 1818–1864 led both to the invasion of the region by the Russian Empire, and to destruction of the natural continuity in the socio-cultural development of the aboriginal peoples, while imposing an alien culture.
The history of the Adighes (Circassians) in the north – west Caucasus is a bright example illustrating the weakening of the ethnic and regional integrations.
The Adyghe-Russian relationships developed in two phases. The fi rst phase (from 16th century to the late of 18th century) involved military alliance, rapprochement and progress of cultural and political relations. In the second phase (late of 18th century and 19th century), however, Russia turned its peaceful policy to an expansion one.
Of course, it was not only the internal situation in semifeudal Russia that brought about the Caucasian War, but also the international political processes. In addition to Russia’s traditional rivals, Turkey and Iran, modernized England and France also laid claims to infl uence in the Caucasus. The fore, the Caucasian War served as a “warning” to the rivals, who nevertheless managed to provoke mass emigration of the Adighes in to the Ottoman Empire.
The “Circassian issue” is politicized nowadays, which frequently leads to its confl icting interpretation, weakening of the ethnic and national processes in Russia. Consequently, it has to be investigated in greater detail using methodological pluralism, and the painful problem of Caucasian history ought to be depoliticized.
The history of the Adighes (Circassians) in the north – west Caucasus is a bright example illustrating the weakening of the ethnic and regional integrations.
The Adyghe-Russian relationships developed in two phases. The fi rst phase (from 16th century to the late of 18th century) involved military alliance, rapprochement and progress of cultural and political relations. In the second phase (late of 18th century and 19th century), however, Russia turned its peaceful policy to an expansion one.
Of course, it was not only the internal situation in semifeudal Russia that brought about the Caucasian War, but also the international political processes. In addition to Russia’s traditional rivals, Turkey and Iran, modernized England and France also laid claims to infl uence in the Caucasus. The fore, the Caucasian War served as a “warning” to the rivals, who nevertheless managed to provoke mass emigration of the Adighes in to the Ottoman Empire.
The “Circassian issue” is politicized nowadays, which frequently leads to its confl icting interpretation, weakening of the ethnic and national processes in Russia. Consequently, it has to be investigated in greater detail using methodological pluralism, and the painful problem of Caucasian history ought to be depoliticized.
Caucasus, The Adighes (Circassians), Russia, Caucasian War, Turkey, Iran, modernization, England, France, genocide