Formation of National Autonomies in Northwest Caucasus in 1920—1924

Abstract

The formation of national autonomies in the North-West Caucasus in 1920—1924 is considered. This issueis relevant for understanding the prerequisites for interethnic peace and harmony in Russian society, for the regulation of ethnic conflicts. The work is based on the paradigm of constructivism, on historical neo-institutionalism as applied to the typology of autonomies. The tendencies of the development of national-state building in the context of the formation of the USSR are revealed, the relationship of the autochthonous peoples of the North-West Caucasus (Adygs and Karachais) with the Slavic peoples is assessed. The factors that determined the features of the initial stage of the creation of the North-West Caucasus autonomies have been established. It was revealed that the party-state leadership had to solve simultaneously the tasks of restoring territorial entirety and integrating the space of the former empire. It is noted that it was necessary to raise the status of autochthonous peoples by granting them autonomy within the framework of the ethnic model of federalism and the “indigenousization” of the administrative apparatus. The causes of conflicts between ethnic groups and the authorities have been identified. It has been proved that national-state building pursued the goal of strengthening the power of the RCP (b). It is concluded that the national policy in the North-West Caucasus was carried out through a pragmatic response to the complex challenges of interethnic relations.

Keywords

• autonomy
• formation
• northwest caucasus
• interethnic relations