Lessons 7 · 1 lessons · Sh. Ergashev, B. Xodjayev, J. Abdullayev. World History (1991–2017): textbook for Grade 11 of secondary schools and for students of secondary specialised and vocational institutions. 1st edition. “Turon-Iqbol”, Tashkent, 2018
7
The South Caucasus states, 1991–2017
Textbook: pp. 33–37
GoalDescribe the development of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia since independence, the ethnic conflicts and the positions of the sides in a neutral way.
New words
Nagorno-Karabakh, a region at the centre of the Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict · Tog‘li Qorabog‘the Rose Revolution, the change of government in Georgia in 2003 · Atirgullar inqilobiterritorial integrity, the principle that a state’s borders are inviolable · hududiy yaxlitlikself-determination, the right of a people to decide its political status · o‘z taqdirini o‘zi belgilash
Explanation
Georgia declared independence on 9 April 1991 and Azerbaijan on 18 October, while in Armenia independence was confirmed by the referendum of 21 September. All three countries went through conflicts after the Soviet period: Armenia and Azerbaijan fought over Nagorno-Karabakh (1988–1994), and in Georgia there were wars in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The Azerbaijani side stresses the principle of territorial integrity, the Armenian side the right of the Karabakh Armenians to self-determination; in its 1993 resolutions the UN Security Council affirmed Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and demanded the withdrawal of forces. The Second Karabakh War lasted from 27 September to 10 November 2020 and ended with a ceasefire brokered by Russia; after an Azerbaijani military operation in September 2023 Azerbaijan took control of the whole region, most of the Armenian population of Karabakh (more than 100,000 people) left for Armenia, and the self-proclaimed authorities there were dissolved from 1 January 2024; in August 2025 in Washington the two sides initialled the text of a peace treaty. In Georgia the “Rose Revolution” of 2003 brought a change of government; after the war of August 2008 Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, while Georgia and most states regard these regions as part of Georgia.
Worked examples
The Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline began operating in 2005–2006: Azerbaijani oil is carried through Georgia to Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast. This raised the energy and strategic importance of the region.
The border between Armenia and Türkiye has been closed since 1993, and the border with Azerbaijan is closed as well. For this reason Armenia relies mainly on Georgia and Iran for trade and transport routes.
Class activity
Make a three-sided “map of positions”: each group presents for one minute the position of Azerbaijan, Armenia or Georgia using facts from the textbook, while listeners note the differences in their notebooks.
Practice
1
When did the three South Caucasus states declare or confirm independence?
Georgia – 9 April 1991; Armenia – 21 September 1991 (referendum); Azerbaijan – 18 October 1991.
2
What was the “Rose Revolution”?
The events of 2003 in Georgia when, after mass protest over a disputed election, President Shevardnadze resigned and power changed hands.
3
Compare the positions of the sides in the August 2008 war.
Georgia says it acted to restore its territorial integrity; Russia says it protected the people of South Ossetia. After the war Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia, while most states did not.
4
Why was it hard for many years to resolve the Karabakh conflict? Give two reasons.
The sides relied on opposing principles (territorial integrity and self-determination); many people had been displaced and closed borders reduced trust.