2009/06/01 by Harun Yılmaz · 2 citations
Social Sciences · #Soviet and Russian History #Post-Soviet Geopolitical Dynamics #Religion and Society Interactions
paper · doi:10.1080/09546540902900288
openalex publication_date 2009/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
This article examines the peaceful relations between Georgia and Azerbaijan in the period 1918–20. Whilst civil wars and inter‐ethnic conflicts razed neighbouring regions and countries to the ground, Georgian–Azerbaijani bilateral relations, unusually, remained harmonious during these countries’ short independence. What were the reasons for this unexpected peace? The interpretations of this period usually focus on the influence of foreign intervention and external factors on the region, such as the shifts of power in Europe and developments in the Russian Civil War, especially the dangers posed to independent Transcaucasia by the growing strength of the White forces of General Denikin to the north. This article, however, argues that these peaceful Georgian–Azerbaijani relations should be cast in a new light, by considering the local economic and political conditions in both countries. Using archival evidence from Azerbaijan and Georgia, the article demonstrates how the complementary economic and political relations of the two countries during this turbulent period outweighed the option of war. This historical narrative also helps us to explain the contemporary relations in the region.