Topic 12-13

The Bolshevik government in Soviet Russia, pursuing the establishment

of a classless society, employed brutal repression and the elimination of
opposition. In Georgia, initially an independent socialist state, the
Bolsheviks dismantled democratic institutions, establishing an
occupational regime. The XI Red Army, known as the "Caucasian
Emergency Army," enforced Soviet authority.

In 1921, the Bolsheviks invalidated the Constituent Assembly of the

Democratic Republic of Georgia, replacing national and democratic
bodies with Soviet structures. Georgia lost independence and joined the
Transcaucasian Soviet Socialist Republics. Autonomous units were
established within Georgia, reflecting extreme centralization.

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) emerged in 1922, forcing

Georgia into federation, forfeiting independent status. Collectivization
was initiated, transforming the economy and consolidating state
control.

During World War II, Georgia actively participated in the Soviet war
effort, contributing troops. Post-war, economic development ensued,
accompanied by political discontent. Stalin's death in the 1950s and
leadership changes under Nikita Khrushchev offered temporary relief.
However, tensions surfaced in the 1960s, seen in protests against
excluding the Georgian language from the draft Constitution.
By the 1980s, a national movement for independence gained
momentum. Political parties advocating independence emerged. April
1989 protests in Tbilisi marked a turning point. The Soviet response
involved military intervention, resulting in tragic events on April 9, 1989.

In 1991, as the Soviet Union disintegrated, Georgia declared

independence. Zviad Gamsakhurdia became the first president, leading
the nation through a challenging transition. The road to independence
involved political shifts and internal divisions, emphasizing the
complexities of Georgia's journey toward sovereignty.
In 1990, Zviad Gamsakhurdia led Georgia's democratic reforms, winning
the first multiparty elections in the Soviet era. Gamsakhurdia became
the Chair of Supreme Council, and on November 14, 1990, Georgia
declared itself a Republic. A referendum in 1991 favored independence,
leading to a declaration on April 9, but not universally recognized until
1992. Gamsakhurdia faced opposition, and in 1992, Eduard
Shevardnadze assumed power after a coup.

The transition period (1992-2003) saw conflicts with Abkhazia and

South Ossetia. Georgia, under Shevardnadze, joined international
organizations. In 2003, disillusionment with corruption and stagnation
led to the Rose Revolution. Shevardnadze resigned on November 23,
and a new government, led by Saakashvili, Zhvania, and Burjanadze,
took over, aiming for democratic reforms.
In 2003, Mikhail Saakashvili became Georgia's President, focusing on
sovereignty, territorial integrity, and democratic reforms. Western
support, particularly from the United States, was evident after the Rose
Revolution. NATO cooperation progressed, with Georgia entering the
Intensive Dialogue stage in 2006. Positive changes occurred, but
challenges arose, leading to the 2007 protests. President Saakashvili's
compromise included early elections and a NATO-related referendum in
2008.

However, in August-September 2008, Russia opposed Georgia's NATO

aspirations, leading to the war in South Ossetia. The NATO summit
rejected Georgia's Membership Action Plan (MAP), and tensions
escalated. Georgian forces entered Tskhinvali, triggering Russia's
military response. A six-point peace plan, approved by French President
Sarkozy, aimed to cease hostilities, provide humanitarian aid, and
withdraw Georgian forces. The conflict highlighted challenges to
Georgia's Western integration amid Russian opposition.
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation must withdraw to the line
where they were stationed prior to the beginning of hostilities. Prior to
the establishment of international mechanisms the Russian
peacekeeping forces will take additional security measures.
6. An international debate on the future status of South Ossetia and
Abkhazia and ways to ensure their lasting security will take place.
After the ceasefire had been signed, hostilities did not immediately
stop. Russia did not discharge the obligations imposed by the peace
plan. Russia left a few of its armed personnel outside the conflict zone.
Russia created check points in Georgia’s interior. Above all, Russia
recognized independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and de jure
legalized their annexation.
In response to the war, Russia faced strong criticism from the
international community. On September 1, 2008, all the twenty-seven
member countries of the European Union strongly condemned Russian
hostilities in Georgia and called on immediate withdrawal of the Russian
troops from Georgia proper. The most substantial aid was given to
Georgia by the United States. A few American ships delivered
humanitarian aid to Georgia for the displaced and refugees.
On September 8, 2008, the West one more time demonstrated its
readiness to support Georgia. After mediation by the French presidency
of the European Union Nicolas Sarkozy, Russia agreed to withdraw its
troops from Georgia proper within a month. The trend to be followed is
clear, the tensions between Russia and Georgia can be solved by
peaceful negotiations only; the way to recovering of Abkhazia and
South Ossetia is through diplomacy.
Unfortunately, the terms of Medvedev-Sarkozi agreement have not
been carried out yet and 20% of the Georgian territory is still occupied
by Russia.
-234-
GENEALOGY TABLE Bagrat 111 (975-1°14)
THE KINGS i
or UNITED GEORGIA Giorgi I (1014-1027)
(THE BAGRATIONI DYNASTY) Bagrat IV (1027-1072)
l
Giorgi II (1072-1089)
I
David IV the Builder (1089-1125)
I
Demetrel (1125-1155, 1156)
./K.
DavidV (1155) GiorgiIII (1156-1184)
Tamar (1184-1207/ 10/13)
/ \ Giorgi IV Lasha (1210-1223) Rusudan (1223-1245) David VII
Uluf1247-1270) David VI Narini 0245:1293) Demetre II Self:Secrificin
(1270-1289) Vakhtang II (1289-1292) %\
David VIII Vakhtang III Giorgi V the Brilliant (1293-1310) (1298-1308)
(1299/1314-1346)
l
Giorgi VI the Little (1308-1314)
David IX (1346-1360)
l
Bagrat V (1360-1393)
./I I
Giorgi VII (1393-1407) Constantine I (1407-1411)
1.
Alexandre I the Great (1412-1442) Giorgi
‘X l l
Vakhtang IV Giorgi VIII DemetreBagrat V1 (1466-1478) (1442-14-46)
(1446-1466) J
Constantine II(1479-1505)
- 235 -
THE KINGS OF KARTLI
Constantine II Dimitri’s Son (1479-1505)
/I\
David (1505-1525) Giorgi IX (1525-1527) Bagrat Mukhranbelitoni
Luarsab I (1527-1556)
Simon I (1556-1600) David IQ (Daud-khan) (1569-1578)
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
Giorgi X (1600-1606) J
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
Luarsab II Bagrat VII Rustam-khan
(1606-1614) agrat-khan) (1632-1658) 1616§619) Simon II ( imon-khan)
(1619-1631) V Vaxtang V Shahnavaz / (1658-1675)
Teimuraz I Giorgi XI Levan
(The King of Kartl-Kakheti, 1625-1632) Shahnavaz H (1675-1709)
David Vaxtang VI
r (1703-1712-1716-1723) Erekle I Kaikhusrew (N azarali—khan) (1688-
1711) Teimuraz II (1745-1762) Yese (Mustafa
(1712-1716, 1723-172).