Soviet Transcaucasus 1917-1945 : nations in transition

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the nationalities policy of the Soviet Union with a special emphasis on three major Transcaucasian nationalities, i.e. Georgians, Azerbaijanis and Armenians. The thesis focuses on the Soviet nationalities policy and attempts to shed light on the history of these three Transcaucasian nationalities within the context of this policy. Soviet nationalities policy, even if disparately applied for any nationality under the Soviet rule, resulted in significant consequences for all the nationalities of the Union. Within this framework, this study aims to explain both idiosyncratic and alike evolutions of Georgians, Azerbaijanis and Armenians, at the same time, under the Soviet rule. Finally, it argues that Soviet policies, specifically the nationalities policy, played the major role in the transformation of Transcaucasian nationalities and determined the current dynamics of the region