Tajikistan in the Soviet Union: A Comprehensive Analysis of Historical Development and Political Dynamics
The history of Tajikistan in the Soviet Union is marked by turbulent political changes, social upheavals, and economic transformations. After the October Revolution in Russia in 1917, a new era began for Tajikistan, first characterized by the formation of the Turkestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR) and later by the transformation into the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR). This period is crucial for understanding the modern history of Tajikistan, as it laid the foundations for the political structure and socio-economic developments of the country.
The Formation of the Turkestan ASSR
With the abolition of the Turkestan General Government in the wake of the October Revolution in 1917, the era of Tajikistan in the Soviet Union began. On April 30, 1918, at the V Congress of Soviets, the Autonomous Socialist Soviet Republic (ASSR) of Turkestan was proclaimed within the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic (RSFSR). During this time, land, water, the banking system, railways, and industry were nationalized. Despite these progressive steps, the Soviets faced resistance from counter-revolutionary forces and local nationalists who received support from abroad, particularly from Britain.
The Fourth Extraordinary Regional Muslim Congress in Kokand declared autonomy for Turkestan in early December 1917 but could not implement it. This led to the formation of an anti-Bolshevik underground. In the Uzbek regions of Turkestan, the Basmachi movement, a separatist military-political and religious partisan movement, emerged, particularly active in the Fergana Valley. The Bukhara and Khiva Khanates supported resistance against the Turkestan ASSR.
Suppression of Resistance and the Formation of the Soviet People’s Republic of Bukhara
Organized resistance against Soviet rule in Turkestan was suppressed in 1920. Units of the Red Army and those of Old Bukhara captured the region in 1920, leading to the establishment of the Soviet People’s Republic of Bukhara. In 1921, units of the Hissar Expeditionary Command in the city of Dushanbe were liberated from the forces of the Emir of Bukhara.
National Division and the Formation of the Tajik SSR
In 1924, the Central Committee of the Communist Party adopted a resolution on the national division of Central Asian republics. This resulted in the establishment of several republics, including the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of Tajikistan within the Uzbek SSR. At that time, the population of the Tajik ASSR was 740,000 compared to the 5 million inhabitants of the Uzbek SSR. Dushanbe became the capital of the republic, which was a settlement with only 3,000 residents in 1920.
Development of the Tajik SSR
In 1929, the Tajik ASSR in the Soviet Union was transformed into the Tajik SSR, marking the beginning of the formation of national and state institutions. In the following years, the first Soviet newspapers in Tajikistan were published, and educational institutions were established.
During the New Economic Policy of the 1920s, the Soviet government attempted to increase cotton cultivation in Tajikistan. Despite these efforts, the pre-revolutionary cotton production levels were not reached by the end of the New Economic Policy.
Collectivization and the Basmachi Movement
Collectivization in Tajikistan was relatively moderate from 1927 to 1929 but became radical from 1930 to 1934. The primary goal was a significant increase in cotton cultivation, especially in the southern regions of the country. Peasants resisted collectivization in various ways, leading to a revival of the Basmachi movement in the early 1930s. There was also modest industrial growth during the interwar period.
Political Purges and Ethnic Changes
During the political purges of the 1930s, about 70 percent of the members of the Tajik Communist Party were expelled and suppressed at all levels. Between 1932 and 1937, the proportion of Tajiks in the Communist Party decreased from 53% to 45%, with many being replaced by Russians sent from Moscow. The center later sought a balance between Tajiks and Russians in the upper echelons of power to ensure stability in the region.
The Political Elite and Moscow’s Role
From 1937 until the collapse of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan’s political elite mainly originated from Leninabad, the most industrialized region. Moscow had to rely on one of the regions in its personnel policy to preserve the fragile political balance between regions. From 1946 to 1991, all first secretaries of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Tajikistan came from Leninabad. Kulob acted as the “junior partner” of Leninabad, mainly responsible for military affairs. The Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region was also part of this system, providing mid-level officials for the country’s National Security Committee.
Post-Civil War Era
After the bloody civil war of the 1990s, based on ethno-regional contradictions, an independent Republic of Tajikistan emerged. The civil war claimed an estimated 60-100 thousand lives, with around 1 million people becoming refugees. This marked a crucial turning point in Tajikistan’s history, laying the foundation for the country’s modern political and social structure.
The history of Tajikistan in the Soviet Union is a complex narrative of political challenges, social changes, and economic transformation. From the establishment of the Turkestan ASSR to the formation of the independent Republic of Tajikistan after the civil war, the country has undergone a fascinating development. The interaction between local forces and the central government in Moscow significantly shaped the political landscape and ethnic dynamics of the country. The present Republic of Tajikistan bears the traces of this intricate history and continues its journey into the future.
