How the 1917 Russian collapse ignited a brutal power struggle across the Caucasus
In short: When the Russian Empire disintegrated in 1917, it left a dangerous vacuum in the Caucasus and Persia. This video tracks the ensuing chaos as local groups and global powers fought for territory, oil, and survival, ultimately reshaping the region through conflict and humanitarian catastrophe.
As Russian forces retreated in 1917, the Ottoman Empire moved eastward to secure strategic railways and oil fields, aiming to expand its influence toward Central Asia. This triggered a complex conflict involving Armenians, Georgians, Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Assyrians, and others, all vying for autonomy or independence amidst the collapse of old imperial structures.
The 1918 campaigns featured diverse combatants, including the British Dunsterforce, Bolsheviks, and various local militias. Notable events included Armenian victories at Sardarapat and Aparan, the resistance of Assyrians near Urmia, and the intense struggle for control over Baku's oil. The period was marked by widespread famine, massacres, and forced migrations, leaving behind a landscape of fragile new republics and looming Soviet intervention.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: World War I: Fate of Armenians, Georgians, Azerbaijanis, Kurds and Assyrians
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