☰ Contents · History of Uzbekistan

The beginning and causes of the protest movements

Lessons 16 · 1 lessons · S. Tillaboyev, A. Zamonov. O‘zbekiston tarixi (History of Uzbekistan, second half of the 19th – early 20th century), Grade 9, 3rd edition. “Sharq” Publishing House, Tashkent, 2019
16

The beginning of national liberation movements in Turkestan and their causes

Textbook: pp. 61–64
GoalName the economic and social causes of the late 19th-century protest movements and the main uprisings.
New words
uprising, an armed or mass revolt against authority · qo‘zg‘olonlending money at very high interest · sudxo‘rlika landless peasant who farms another’s land for a share of the harvest · chorakorfield court, a military court that tries cases quickly · dala sudi
Explanation

According to the textbook, when the region became a raw-material base for Russian industry, the position of peasants did not improve. Land gathered in the hands of rich men and large merchants, landless and land-poor peasants and sharecroppers multiplied, usury spread, and cotton buyers paid very low prices in advance for next year’s harvest. Craftsmen suffered a crisis because of cheap Russian goods, and taxes and labour duties were heavy. Decisions that went against local customs added to this. As a result protests broke out in various places. In 1878 an uprising led by Yetimkhan arose in Mingtepa and was suppressed by force. In November 1880 people in Khujand uyezd went to the uyezd head against an extra land tax; in 1882 there was a protest against officials in Namangan. In summer 1885 an uprising led by Darvishkhan took place in Andijan, and the rebels attacked the residences of rich men and volost heads. In 1896 discontent over elections of mingboshis in Namangan uyezd grew into an open uprising. From 1892 the colonial administration began in some cases to hand ordinary civilians over to a military field court.

Worked examples
A peasant took a loan by selling next year’s cotton in advance at a low price; when the harvest did not cover the debt, he had to sell his land.
In November 1880, although taxes had been paid, the Khujand uyezd head announced an extra land tax and people demanded its cancellation.
Class activity

Make a timeline: 1878, 1880, 1882, 1885, 1896. Under each year write the place and main cause in a phrase.

Practice
1
Who led the 1878 uprising and where was it?
2
Which uprising occurred in Andijan in 1885 and whom did the rebels attack?
3
What position did usury put peasants in?
4
Why do you think discontent was especially strong in the Fergana Valley? Use information from the earlier topic.