Transcaucasian Commissariat

The Transcaucasian Commissariat was a short-lived governing body that was established in Tbilisi during the turbulent period following the October Revolution in 1917. It played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic, an entity that comprised modern-day Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

Map 1903 caucasus

Background

Following the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II in March 1917 and the subsequent political turmoil, various regions of the Russian Empire sought to establish their independence. The South Caucasus region, consisting of modern-day Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, was particularly sensitive due to its geopolitical importance and diverse ethnic composition. The October Revolution in Petrograd (now Saint Petersburg) further weakened central authority and created a power vacuum in the South Caucasus^[1].

Establishment

On 11 November 1917, the Transcaucasian Commissariat was established in Tbilisi, the modern-day capital of Georgia. The Commissariat was formed as the first governing body of independent Transcaucasia, comprising representatives from the Georgian, Armenian, and Azerbaijani political factions^[2].

Objectives and Actions

The primary goal of the Transcaucasian Commissariat was to provide stability and governance to the South Caucasus region amidst the ongoing chaos. The Commissariat decided to strengthen the Georgian–Armenian–Azerbaijani union by convoking a Diet or general assembly, known as the Sejm, in January 1918. The Sejm acted as a platform for the representatives to deliberate on the political future of the region and to forge a common path^[3].

During this period, the Transcaucasian Commissariat faced numerous challenges, including economic instability and the threat of invasion by the Ottoman Empire. The Transcaucasian Commissariat sought international recognition and support and aimed to establish a common defense against external aggression^[4].

Transformation into the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic

Facing the imminent threat of an Ottoman invasion, the Transcaucasian Commissariat declared independence from Soviet Russia and formed the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic (TDFR) in April 1918. The TDFR existed as a federation of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, with each republic retaining a significant degree of autonomy. However, internal divisions and external pressures ultimately led to the dissolution of the TDFR and the establishment of separate republics for Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan in May 1918^[5].

See also

• Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic
• Russian Revolution
• History of Georgia (country)
• History of Armenia
• History of Azerbaijan

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