Ethnic conflicts in the Soviet Union

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There are many different ethnic groups present in Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union today. This diversity has been the source or instigator of conflict for centuries, and remains a major part of Russian political life today. While the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and the Russian Federation were each made up of a majority of ethnic Russians, the minority groups have always been present to fight for their own languages, cultures, and religions.[1] There are many different types of ethnic conflict, and the vast majority can only be understood with the help of a historical context.

Background

Ethnic map of the Soviet Union (1941).

The policies of

Nagorno-Karabagh region, the Uzbek-Meskhetian Turk conflict over Uzbekistan’s Fergana Valley, and bids by numerous ethnic groups for Soviet republic status.[3]

Transition

See also: Dissolution of the Soviet Union

As the Soviet Union began to collapse, social disintegration and political instability fueled a surge in ethnic conflict.[4] Social and economic disparities, along with ethnic differences, created an upsurge in nationalism within groups and discrimination between groups. In particular, disputes over territorial boundaries have been the source of conflict between states experiencing political transition and upheaval. Territorial conflicts can involve several different issues: the reunification of ethnic groups which have been separated, restoration of territorial rights to those who experienced forced deportation, and restoration of boundaries arbitrarily changed during the Soviet era.[5] Territorial disputes remain significant points of controversy as minority groups consistently oppose election outcomes and seek autonomy and self-determination. In addition to territorial disputes and other structural causes of conflict, legacies from the Soviet and pre-Soviet eras, along with the suddenness of the actual sociopolitical change, have resulted in conflict throughout the region.[5] As each group experiences dramatic economic reform and political democratization, there has been a surge in nationalism and interethnic conflict. Overall, the fifteen independent states that emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union face problems stemming from uncertain identities, contested boundaries, apprehensive minorities, and an overbearing Russian hegemony.[6]

In particular, the post-Soviet Union territories continue to be especially vulnerable to "triadic" hostilities. Within this analysis, the newly independent states—nationalizing states—are in tension with the "homeland" state of Russia who will attempt to protect Russian

ethnic minorities within the new states.[7] Each of the incipient fifteen states except for Armenia had in 1989 substantive Russian minority populations, a cause for conflict between Russia and its former autonomous republics.[7]

Examples

Further information:
Post-Soviet conflicts

There are several stages of ethnic conflict, all of which have been present in the years following the collapse of the Soviet Union. These include claims presented in the form of declarations, introduction to and support of these claims by the masses, conflict not resulting in casualties, conflicts involving casualties, and interethnic wars.

Ossetia–Ingushetia conflicts have escalated to final stage, involving warfare.[5]
A predominance of these instances of ethnic conflict is located in the Caucasus and the Central Asian regions as a result of territorial disputes and political unrest. In addition, conflict between Russia and other former Soviet states has accounted for a large amount of present conflicts. Hostilities between Russia and grou that remain a large part of social and political relations both among and within each state. Some minor territorial conflicts occur minimally in current times; but has not escalated to a level of concern.

Notes

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-1576078235
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  2. ^ "Basmachi Rebellion 1916-1931". Armed Conflict Event Database. 2000-12-16. Retrieved 2010-05-29.
  3. ^ a b "Military:Ethnic Conflicts (Russia-Georgia)". GlobalSecurity.org. 2005-04-27. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
  4. ISBN 978-1563247415
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  5. ^ a b c d Aklaev, Airat (2008-10-23). "Causes and Prevention of Ethnic Conflict: An Overview of Post-Soviet Russian-Language Literature". Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences. Archived from the original on 2010-01-10. Retrieved 2010-05-29.
  6. ^ Lapidus, Gail W. (2005). "Ethnic Conflict in the Former Soviet Union". Center for International Security and Cooperation, Stanford University. Retrieved 2010-05-29.
  7. ^
    ISBN 0521576490
    .
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