Thread by @VolodyaTretyak

THREAD Karachay-Cherkessia. #RussiaDecolonized
Today, we will explore the potential for the independence of Karachay-Cherkessia.

HISTORY

This republic is known as Karachay-Cherkessia and is home to two nations: the Karachays and the Cherkess (Circassians). The Karachays make up the majority in this region. For more information about the Circassians, please check the Adygea thread. /1

https://twitter.com/1082338523309633537/status/1679860894145150976

It's important to note that the Karachays and Balkars are considered one nation. Nearby, there's the Kabardino-Balkaria republic where a significant part of the population is Balkars. The Karachays and Balkars are separated by mountains. /2

The Karachays are a Turkic nation with a long history in the Caucasus mountains. There are several theories about how they ended up in the region. /3

The prevailing idea suggests that these nations, descendants of Cumans, migrated there due to the Mongol invasion in the 13th-14th century. /4

After resettling in the Caucasus region and the decline of the Golden Horde, the Karachay people became part of the Nogai Horde, Crimean Khanate, Circassian principalities, and, of course, Karachays and Balkars principalities. /5

The most significant phase of Russian expansion in the North Caucasus was marked by the Caucasian War, which lasted nearly five decades. During that period, Karachays' territory was annexed. /6

In 1826, there was an agreement between representatives of the Karachays and the Russian Empire regarding neutrality. However, this did not last long, and in 1828, Russian forces invaded the Karachay highlands. In 1934, the region finally became part of the Russian Empire. /7

In the second half of the 19th century and until the collapse of the Russian Empire, the Karachay nation was divided between the Kuban and Terek oblasts. /8

During the Russian Civil War, the peoples of the Caucasus attempted to establish an independent state but failed due to pressure from the Soviet Union. /9

https://twitter.com/1082338523309633537/status/1662833606820069379

In 1922, the Karachay-Cherkess Autonomous Oblast (AO) was established. Then, in 1926, the autonomous oblast was divided into two separate entities: Karachay AO and Cherkess AO. /10

In 1930, there was a rebellion against harsh collectivization measures in Karachay. Thousands of Karachays took up arms, but they were eventually defeated. /11

Karachay AO was occupied by German forces during World War II. In 1943, the deportation of the Karachay nation, along with many other nations of North Caucasus, began. /12

The entire nation, consisting of 70,000 people, was deported to Central Asia. Approximately half of them perished due to hunger and epidemic illnesses. Most of the casualties were children and women since most men were serving in the Red Army at that time. /13

Karachay soldiers were not allowed to return home after the war. They were also deported to Central Asian countries, and no Karachay person was permitted to enter the land of the former republic. /14

In 1956, during the destalinization policies, the Karachays were officially rehabilitated and allowed to return to their homeland. However, this was not without challenges, as the houses of tens of thousands of Karachays were already occupied by others. /15

The reestablished republic was slightly larger in size. The genocides had a lasting impact on the region's development throughout the 20th century. /16

The North Caucasus lands that faced deportations encountered numerous economic challenges and continue to be among the poorest regions of Russia today. /17

In 1990, the Karachay-Cherkess Council declared the change from an oblast to a republic. Subsequently, national movements fought for the separation of the region into Cherkess and Karachay republics. /18

According to the referendum in 1992, it was decided to maintain a single republic. While the transparency of the results remains unclear, it's worth noting that at that time, Karachays and Circassians together constituted around 40% of the republic's population. /19

GEOGRAPHY
The republic is situated in the central North Caucasus, characterized by its rugged mountainous terrain. Notably, the highest mountain in Europe, Mount Elbrus, which stands at 5,642 meters, is located within this region. /20

To the south, there is a border with Georgia, although there are no road connections due to the mountainous landscape. /21

Conversely, in the northern part of the republic, there is a connection to the railway network, and this is also where the majority of the population resides. /22

ECONOMY
Traditionally, the region has been primarily focused on agriculture, particularly animal husbandry. In the northern areas, there is also a presence of light industry and chemical manufacturing. It is also famous for tourism. /23

As previously mentioned, the North Caucasus is characterized by economic challenges, and its republics often rank among the lowest in terms of GDP per capita. In fact, the last ten federal subjects in these rankings are predominantly from the Caucasus region. /24

POPULATION
Karachays have currently over 40% of Republics population. While the numbers of indigenous nations are growing, the number of Russians is decreasing. Map shows the territories of nations inside the republic. /25

North Caucasus is not very tightly intergrated in Russia. Many distinct cultures survived until today. Karachay-Balkar language is not endagered and is spoken at homes. /26

FREEDOM MOVEMENTS

Karachay national organizations indeed attempted to establish their own republic within Russia in the early 1990s, but these efforts did not succeed. /27

This situation has been advantageous for Moscow, as it leads to potential conflicts between Karachay and Cherkess activists and politicians since then. /28

In the early 1990s, leaders of social movements in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia tried to raise the issue of forming a Balkar-Karachay autonomy, but the authorities quashed the initiative of the intelligentsia. /29

There was also an Islamic organization known as Karachay Jamaat that aimed to establish its own state within a potential Caucasus Emirate. The most recent known clash in Karachay-Cherkessia occurred in 2012. /30

There is also a Circassian movement, primarily based in a large diaspora. Many within this movement aspire to establish their own state, which was brutally suppressed by Russia in the 19th century. /31

Their vision may encompass territories that currently belong to the Karachay-Cherkess Republic. /32

It appears that there may not be a prominent Karachay national movement advocating for independence or opposing Putin's leadership at this time. Feel free to provide links below. /33

CONCLUSION

The history of this republic provides valuable insights into Moscow's policies in the North Caucasus, which often lead to the limitation of national movements. /34

On the other hand, the connection beetwen Russia and the nations of the North Caucasus is tenuous. The population of the latter is growing at a much faster rate than that of Russians, and this demographic shift is expected to significantly impact the region's developments. /35

The Karachay-Cherkess Republic faces challenges and weaknesses in its pursuit of independence, as discussed earlier. It may not be the first federal subject to initiate a breakup, but if it were to do so, the situation could change rapidly. /36

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