The role of the North Caucasian Diaspora (Muhajirs) in the Ottoman Empire in bilateral relations between Russia and Turkey in 1917-1921 in the context of revolutions, external and internal conflicts

Abstract

The author examines the influence of the North Caucasian diaspora (Muhajirs) on the relations of the Ottoman Empire, and later Turkey with Russia in the context of the creation of the Union of Highlanders of the North Caucasus and Dagestan in the region of the same name during the conflicts – the Civil War in Russia and the War of Independence of Turkey. The end of the First World War was marked by the fall of the largest European empires, including the Russian and Ottoman empires. These cataclysms have led to an increase in conflict in the region. In addition, these processes contributed to the growth of national consciousness of the peoples who were part of these states. At the same time, the social upsurge took place not only in the country of origin, but also in the diaspora, which, using its social position in the receiving country, tried to influence foreign policy in order to realize its historical "myth". In turn, the diaspora simultaneously acted as an informal "instrument" in relations between Russia and Turkey. The research used general scientific methods such as analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, the unity of historical and logical. A wide source and historiographical base was used. The study revealed that representatives of the diaspora had a double identity: on the one hand, they retained the "myth" of their historical homeland, on the other, they considered themselves loyal subjects of the Ottoman state. Based on their dual self-identification, their activities and the policy of the Turkish state in the Caucasus resulted, forming a kind of symbiosis, so the foreign policy interests of the state were intertwined with the desire of the muhajirs to return to their homeland. At the same time, the country of origin, although actively cooperating with the diaspora, also pursued its own interests. However, as the revolutions in Russia and Turkey faded and the state apparatus of the two countries strengthened, the diaspora factor began to decrease – national interests prevailed over the interests of individual ethnic groups.