Repercussions of the "First Russian Revolution" in Georgia Presented in Zurich, on conference "Conflicting Narratives. History and Politics in the Caucasus"

1. Political unrest in Georgia
in the beginning of XX
century
Hrant Mikaelian
Caucasus Institute

2. During 1890-s, several political party prototype were
established in Georgia.
 Georgia's Freedom League (appealed to national
and social issues, aimed to restore the
independence of Georgia under favorable
conditions, as the result of overthrow of the
monarchy in Russia)
 Mesame Dasi (left-wing, moderate nationalist
literary group. Merged with RSDLP in 1903, formed
Georgian Menshevik party. Claimed to be first Social
Democrats in the Caucasus)
Emergence of the political parties

3.  Georgian Bolshevik members of RSDLP (Radical left-
wing, refused “narrow” national borders)
 National Democrats (Nationalist ideology, autonomy
claims, pro-German)
 Armenian Revolutionary Federation (“Dashnak”
party, nationalist and Socialist Revolutionary)
Emergence of the political parties

4.  Social tensions, agrarian overpopulation
 Inequality, poor conditions for labor workers
 Georgian Orthodox autocephaly
 Cultural and/ or political autonomy
 Federalism/ Liberation from Russian Empire
Agenda

5.  First known strike took place in 1872 by textile
workers of Mirzoev’s mill
 Until 1900, manifestations were rare
 May Day demonstration of 1901 in Tbilisi claimed to
have had 2000 participants, was broken up. 14
wounded, 30 arrested. Press did not report about
the incident
 The major area of labor strikes was Batumi (1902)
 Khashuri strikes (1903)
Protest movements in Georgia

6.  Were organized and manipulated by “Soso”, Joseph
Jughashvili
 Series of strikes were held during December, 1901 –
June, 1902
 Strikes at Mantashev’s, Rothschild's factories
 During 9 March demonstrations, 15 were killed,
dozens – wounded.
Batumi strikes

7.  Mostly immigrant town, with predominance of
temporary workers
 By Jan. 1897, 5,942 people could be considered
“proletariat”. Compare to 3,156 in Kutaisi
 Male to female ratio: 250:100
 Population 28,500 and fast growing
 Most of workers were unskilled, temporary
Batumi demographics

8.  Mostly immigrant town, with predominance of
temporary workers
 By Jan. 1897, 5,942 people could be considered
“proletariat”. Compare to 3,156 in Kutaisi
 Male to female ratio: 250
 Population 28,500 and fast growing
 Most of workers were unskilled, temporary
Batumi demographics

9. First Russian revolution

10.  Became a repercussion of Batumi strikes
 Peasants refused to pay taxes
 Was organized by the former student Uratadze, who
created a “secret semi-spiritual society”
 Took 4 years (1902-1906)
 The social relations were based on an utopist
principles
 Was in focus of Villari, Kollontay, Leo Tolstoy
 Was an unique case of peasant republic governed by
peasants themselves
The Gurian movement

11. The popular tribunal

12.  Created own armed militia
 Took control over railroad, Post office and Telegraph
 Authorities were ignored
 Some local noblemen were killed by the rebels
 Local militia troops entered Ozurgeti at November,
1905 and declared a “Republic”
 Had its own repercussions in the whole rural area of
Georgia
 The “Republic” was abandoned by Russian military
The Gurian republic

13. The Gurian republic

14. Socio-Economic preconditions for the
unrest

15. Socio-Economic preconditions for the
unrest

16. Socio-Economic preconditions for the
unrest

17. Socio-Economic preconditions for the
unrest