AZERBAIJAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC 1918-1920 THE FIRST DEMOCRACY IN MUSLIM WORD AZERBAIJAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC 1918-1920 THE FIRST DEMOCRACY IN MUSLIM WORD Every year, on May 28th, many supporters of democracy, human rights and freedom join to millions of Azerbaijanis across the world to celebrate the first independent Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, the country that existed about two years from 1918 to 1920. In May 28th, in 1918 the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan declared its independence from Russia. It was the first secular Muslim country build on principles of western style democracy. It gave equal rights to all citizens, minorities, man, and women and allowed Azerbaijani women to vote, when women in the United States were still banded from participating in elections. The Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan was seized to exist in 1920 by the Bolshevik Red Army. Azerbaijan remained as part of the Soviet Union until 1991 when it declared its independence again after 71 years of Soviet occupation. Throughout the history Iran, Russia and the Ottoman Empire were the biggest players in the region. Our guest, Aslan Amani, PhD candidate at London School of Economics, noted that the Russian gain control over the region in early 19th century. “Turkish Tribes have been in charge of the region [Azerbaijan] for at least around for 1000 years. In 17th and 18th centuries Russia Czardom became very active in the region and by 1830 two treaties one with Ottoman and another with Iran were signed that recognized the Russian control of the Caucasus Azerbaijan region. The largest portion of Azerbaijani territories fell under the Iranian control and to this day remains under the Tehran’s jurisdiction.” Russian’s interested in Azerbaijan was its rich oil resources. “It was the particularly strategic place for Russia because it was the biggest oil producer in the world. Russia had managed to attracted Western investors and was using to that money to finance reforming its territory….so they needed a cash flow and European knowhow, and Azerbaijani oil was a significant way of insuring that.” youtube/watch?v=f5Hc9LbSzic The collapse of Russian empire was a historic window for Azerbaijan to declare its independence. “Under the normal circumstances Russia would never let Azerbaijan become independent. But 1918 was not a normal year. It was a period of turmoil across the Russia. Two revolutions had happened in the previous year and the Czardom had collapsed.” The collapse of the Empire was the biggest opportunity for three countries in the South Caucasus: Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia to declare their independence after 100 years of Russian occupation. In February 1918, the three countries formed the Transcaucasian Parliament, as the legislative power in the region. However, the union did not last more than several months. In May 26, 1918, Georgia declared its independence followed by Azerbaijan declaring its independence two days later. But letting the world’s biggest oil producer at that time was not easy option for Bolsheviks. “Baku, the capital of modern day Azerbaijan and the world’s biggest oil producer at that time, fell under the control of local Bolsheviks. Bolsheviks were intellectually and militarily supported by Armenian and Russian residents of the city, who combined their forces to outnumber and out power the largest ethnic consistence of the city, ethnic Azerbaijanis…Bolsheviks were the revolutionary power and had no de-jure mandate to govern Baku. The legislative power over the region belonged to Transcaucasian Parliament…” Ganja, the second biggest city in Azerbaijan became the new capital of Azerbaijan until Baku was liberated from the Bolshevik rule with the help from the Ottomans. “…the founders declared Ganja, the city closed to Georgian Azerbaijan border, as the capital. In mid June the same year, the Azerbaijani parliament moved to Ganja. They formed the army with the help from the Ottomans and aim was to liberate Baku from the Bolshevik rule.” Baku was liberated from the Bolshevik rule in September 1918. As an inclusive and democratic country, ADR granted rights to women and minorities and conducted educational and land reforms in a very short period of time. “The western style of cabinet of ministers was formed and Fatali Khan Khoyski became the newly formed countries first prime minister.” “Azerbaijan democratic republic [ADR] was the first parliamentary democracy, republican form of governance in the Muslim world. It was government by parliament and cabinet of ministers. It was the first country in Muslim world and also one of the first countries in the world to extent universal suffrage to women of 18 years of age and older.” ADR built universities and educational institution and supported civil engagement both man and women. ADR extended quotas to representatives of minorities in the Parliament. Armenians, Georgians, Russian and Jews living in the country, all enjoyed political freedoms by the standards of those times. As noted by our guest Mr. Amani “…we should remember that all of this happened in 1918 after hundreds of years of Czar rule.” International recognition of the republic was the major objective. Along with conducting numerous reforms in every aspect of the society, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic also realized the most important issue at those times – future of the Republic. Understanding Russia’s interest in the region, the founding fathers knew that sooner or later the Russia will want to get back the oil reach country. All efforts were concentrated on achieving the international recognition. “Azerbaijani delegation participated in the Paris [Peace] Conference…1919. The aim was the get into national recognition of the newly independent republic.” The delegation sent request to meet the president Wilson. “The president Wilson was not sympathetic to Azerbaijani delegation request to join to the League of Nation. He thought that the question of Azerbaijan and other Caucasus states had to be settled only after the question of Russia was adequately dealt with.” The aim was to wait to see what happens in Russia. “…By the January 1920, Paris Conference, however, had extended de facto recognition to Azerbaijan.” President Wilson was very impressed with the Azerbaijani delegation as they shared the same ideas and concepts regarding democracy and freedom. After meeting Alimardan Topchubashov, in Paris Peace conference, President Wilson noted: “I met with a very dignified and interesting group of gentlemen from Azerbaijan, men who spoke the same language I did about ideas and concepts of liberty, rights and justice” Western educated, young, bright, and intelligent man who understood the long lasting independence could only mean adherence to democratic principles, human rights and support from the other democratic countries. Mammadamin Resulzadeh perhaps was the brightest and the most prominent political figure at those times. Born and raised in the family of religious servants, he embraced education and the progressive thinking from the early ages. By 1918, he had become the ideological leader of the revolutionary nationalistic movement in Azerbaijan. “…they could see the problems in the society and they knew that the way to move the society out of those problems was democratic principles and principles of individual freedom. But they also had very strong traditional links. They had links to Turkish heritage. They had Islamic heritage and they were supported by lots of traditional forces in the society.” By having close links and understanding of traditions and culture, they were able to build a democracy in the traditional Muslim society. Unfortunately the republic did not last more than two years. It was overtaken by the Soviet Red army in 1920. On April 27th in 1920, two years after declaration of independence, Red Soviet army crossed the Northern borders of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and invaded Baku, the capital. The next day, the Soviet power was declared in Baku. “The reason for the collapse was very complex. But there were several factors that contributed to ADR’s fall. The presence of fifth column and the absence of the international support were the most deciding factors. Azerbaijan had undergone a period of bloody inter-ethnic violence. There was a little trust between ethnic Azerbaijanis and Armenians who were the largest minority in Azerbaijan.” Despite ADR’s efforts to engage minorities into the government, some chose to cooperate with the Red Army. “In internationally, neither Azerbaijan nor other two countries in Caucasus were able to secure membership in the League of Nations….The world powers were unwilling to engage in a confrontation with Russia over the small and obscure Caucasus states…” “Given this historical conditions, the fall of the Republic looked inevitable. I do not think there was anything that the ADR’s leadership could have done to avoid the fall. The Soviet army was too strong to resist by an isolated Azerbaijan” noted out guest Mr.Amani But, the fall of the Republic was the end. The founding fathers continued their struggle for Azerbaijani freedom from outside of the country. In 1953, on May 28th, the founding father of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, Mammadamin Resulzadeh delivered his famous speech to the Azerbaijani Nation. The speech was broadcasted on Voice of America from Washington. The funding father spoke about Azerbaijani struggle against the Russian empire: Dear fellow citizens of Azerbaijan, Using this opportunity given by the Voice of America radio station I would like to address to you, today on May 28th, the most important day in Azerbaijan’s history. After hundreds years of Czar occupation, 35 years ago, today, the Parliament of Azerbaijan declared its independence to the world. In this day, the Azerbaijani nation was able to build own country. Using its long and rich history, in this day, Azerbaijan gained a significant political achievement. The most important Azerbaijani struggle for freedom during our history was done at the beginning of the 19th Century against the Russian Empire. This struggle had lasted for more than 30 years and is full of acts of heroism. In 1804, Javad Khan’s battle against the Russian empire in Ganja City is the greatest example, which has become the story of courage and bravery. Javad Khan’s “we will die but will not surrender” words are the most important slogan inspiring Azerbaijanis across the world. By declaring its independence in May 28th of 1918, Azerbaijani nation made its historic dream to become a reality. Azerbaijan was able to apply the most important ideology and slogan of the times; every nation has the right for self determination. Listening to the voices of a majority of its citizens, in this day, Azerbaijan declared its independence. During the very short time of its existence, Azerbaijan National Government was able to accomplish significant achievements. It was able to create the national army, which was banned for centuries by the Russian Empire. Under Czar’s regime Azerbaijanis were not allowed to hold any state position. But Azerbaijan National Government created the army of civil servants and trained public administrators. Social reforms were conducted. Legislative framework was created to provide lands to farmers and protect rights of laborers. Educational programs were launched to increase the literacy. Azerbaijani Turkish was declared the state language. Universities and high schools were created. Western European style democratic, parliamentary governance system was launched. The power was given to the Parliament. Without gaining majority endorsement in the parliament, no government was allowed to hold on to power. Juridical system and courts gained full independence. Azerbaijani towns and cities were flourishing. Those days, there were no incidence of terrorism against own citizens, which is prevalent under the Soviet rule. Doors to our motherland were open to the entire world and Azerbaijani citizens were allowed to travel anywhere they wanted. Productive relationship and friendship were established with our neighbors and European countries. We had trade agreements with all nations of the world. As a result, the independence of Azerbaijan was officially recognized by the European countries and the United States of America. We also established official relationships and signed friendship agreements with the neighboring countries, Turkey and Iran. In January 12th, 1920, Azerbaijani nation celebrated the day of recognition of its sovereignty by the international community. This was very important day in our history and the real celebration to our nation. In that day, the issue of Azerbaijan has become an international matter. We were no longer viewed as part of the Russia by the international community. Azerbaijani independence was endorsed by the most prominent figures in our modern history and supported by the world democracy. The reign of Russian empire in Azerbaijan, which had lasted for more than 100 years was ended. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan was destined to face more challenges. The bloody Czar rule was replaced by the even bloodier Bolshevik regime. Our newly established freedom and independence was trampled by the red Soviet invaders. The blood was shed and our country was ceased to exist. A month ago, on April 28th, the Soviet propaganda machine tried to convey this bloody invasion as the day of independence and freedom. The Soviet regime, nowadays portrayed as the most democratic establishment in Azerbaijan, in reality, is the most brutal and hypocritical government system. If you had any opportunity to compare, you would have seen the real face of the Soviets. If they were not scared of us, Azerbaijanis, they would have lifted the iron curtain and declared the freedom for all. They would never do that! Because, it will show who is right and who is wrong. The Soviet regime is like a bat, afraid of the light! Azerbaijan along with other countries in Caucasus was able to celebrate its real independence and freedom in May of 1918. Two years later, in 1920, this freedom and independence were drowned in blood by the more advanced and superior Red Russian army. Tens of thousands of our people became martyrs in this struggle, full of heroism and tragedy. Thirty three years later, today, the nations of Caucasus are still struggling for their freedom by variety of means. More and more people who once followed deceiving communist ideology, now are joining to the patriots to fight against this Soviet regime. The members of Azerbaijani intelligence in exile are now engaged in different forms of freedom fight – they educate the world about our right for independence and the struggle for freedom. Today, I will not talk much about our struggle abroad. But I want to mention just one thing: it is not very hard to convince the international community how under the Soviets, the nations have lost all their basic human rights and became the slaves to the ruling regime. It has been eight years since World War II has ended but the world cannot gain a meaningful peace. The international community now started to understand the true face of the Soviet system. The world has already realized that the stronger the communist regime becomes, the harder it will be to gain peace in the world. The freedom is a global phenomenon. The world will not taste the freedom until there is one nation or even one person remains in slavery. By declaring their independence, the countries of Caucasus united their destiny with the future of other free nations. The great Soviet dictator Stalin, who viewed separation from Russia as act of aggression but the separation from other countries as revolution, is finally dead. However, the hypocritical system created by him is still in power. This system will continue to face the world truth. When the truth face up against the lie and the right against the wrong, the latter always fail. No doubt that one day, the truth will shine and the governments that adhere to principles of United Nations, human rights and freedom will prevail in this struggle. These shining lights of freedom will rise up like sun rises from horizon and enlighten our motherland suffered many years under the red evil. You have no doubt about this! Dear fellow citizens! I would like to send a greeting from us – the people in exile, deprived of our motherland, who carry the three colored freedom flag on our hearts every day, to you – the brothers who live under oppression, deprived of freedom, who live with the great desire of independence. I also want to pay my respect to the people who died for Azerbaijani freedom on May 28th and finish my speech with a small poem, which depicts our biggest dream of united and independent Azerbaijan: AS LONG WE ARE ALIVE, WE LOVE YOU WITH OUR HEARTS AND SOULS, LONG LIVE AZERBAIJAN! A person who could predict the future Talking about the freedom in 1953, when the Soviet regime was still dominating the world with its mightily power, may have sounded little too optimist. But nowadays, no one has a single doubt that every word expressed by the founding father in his speech was very true. Listening to these words of truth from Mammadamin Resulzadeh, inspired every patriot Azerbaijani to stand up for their rights and continue struggle for their freedom! But it was not until 35 years later, in 1991, when Azerbaijan was able to gain freedom again. Although Azerbaijan Democratic Republic only lasted for two years, the ideas that given birth to it, lived on to create another state 70 years later. “In the late 1970s and 1980s, however, the impact of the Republic began to surface again. There was a new character emerged in the political live of Azerbaijan. His name was Abulfaz Elchivay and he was a young scholar of oriental history. He had researched a brief history of ADR and took Mammadamin Rasulzadeh as his political idol. This man would later become the leader of Popular Front of Azerbaijan and the country’s first democratically elected president. His political vision was profoundly shaped by the legacy of ADR and its founder Mammadamin Rasulzadeh.” May 28th, the Independence Day is being celebrated across the world. After the second independence in 1991, Azerbaijanis started learning history and the legacy of the first Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and celebrate the May 28th as the National Independence Day. This day is also being celebrated by Azerbaijani communities across the world. For example, Azerbaijan Society of America has been holding flag raising ceremonies in New York City for many years. This year, first time, May 28 the Republic day was celebrated in Canada. The members of Ontario Legislative Assembly Dr. Reza Moridi and Tony Ruprecht hosted a flag raising ceremony at the south grounds of the Ontario Parliament on Monday May 31, at noon. The representatives of Azerbaijani Embassy in Canada, Members of the Provincial Parliament and leaders of the Azerbaijani community of Toronto attended this historic event where, for the first time, the flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan raised at the Ontario Parliament. Eyyub Hajiyev, Rashad Mirhasanov, and Vahid Qarabaghli /// Odlar Yurdu, Radio Azerbaijan from Vancouver/// Kaynak: radioazerbaijan.ca/?p=233
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 07:32:36 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015