ChechnyaChechnya

Marc GerstMarc Gerst

Discussion Questions 1 & 2Discussion Questions 1 & 2

Where is Chechnya?Where is Chechnya? What Is Chechnya?What Is Chechnya?

HistoryHistory Surrounded by vastly different Surrounded by vastly different

ethnic groups Chechens have long ethnic groups Chechens have long sought their own national identity. sought their own national identity.

In the 15In the 15thth Century the inhabitants Century the inhabitants were mostly converted to Islam, were mostly converted to Islam, by Invading Turks from the by Invading Turks from the Ottoman Empire. Ottoman Empire.

In the 1700’s Russian influence In the 1700’s Russian influence began to seep into Chechnya, this began to seep into Chechnya, this was heavily resisted. was heavily resisted.

Conflict against Russian Conflict against Russian occupation was sporadic, but occupation was sporadic, but lasting for over 20 years. lasting for over 20 years.

Chechnya in 1912

Soviet RuleSoviet Rule During the Russian During the Russian

Revolutions, resistance Revolutions, resistance in Chechnya swelled in Chechnya swelled once again. once again.

These were crushed by These were crushed by the Red Guards under the Red Guards under Trotsky. Trotsky.

After the Civil War, After the Civil War, Chechnya was combined Chechnya was combined with Ingushetia to form with Ingushetia to form an Autonomous an Autonomous Republic. Republic.

World War IIWorld War II When Germany invaded Russia Chechens fought on both sides. When Germany invaded Russia Chechens fought on both sides. Some joined a pro German Russian army. Some joined a pro German Russian army. 40,000 joined the Red Army, 40 of which earned Hero of the Soviet Union. 40,000 joined the Red Army, 40 of which earned Hero of the Soviet Union. Nevertheless the Chechen population was rounded up and exiled to Nevertheless the Chechen population was rounded up and exiled to

Kazakhstan.Kazakhstan. They were not allowed to return until 1956 during De-Stalinization. They were not allowed to return until 1956 during De-Stalinization.

1960s-1980’s1960s-1980’s Russification policies Russification policies

towards Chechens continued towards Chechens continued after the war. Only Russian after the war. Only Russian speakers would be allowed speakers would be allowed into government or other into government or other positions. positions.

This was met with success. This was met with success. Several Chechens achieved Several Chechens achieved high government positions. high government positions.

Chechnya remained peaceful Chechnya remained peaceful and loyal until Glasnost in and loyal until Glasnost in the 1980s. the 1980s.

Yeltsin’s Three Points Yeltsin’s Three Points When the Soviet Union broke up in the early 1990s several Republics When the Soviet Union broke up in the early 1990s several Republics

gained their independence. An independence movement started in gained their independence. An independence movement started in Chechnya but was opposed by Boris Yeltsin who argued:Chechnya but was opposed by Boris Yeltsin who argued:

(1)(1) Chechnya had not been an independent entity within the Soviet Union Chechnya had not been an independent entity within the Soviet Union – as the Baltic, Central Asian, and other Caucasian States had – but was a – as the Baltic, Central Asian, and other Caucasian States had – but was a part of the Russian Soviet Federal Socialist Republic and hence did not part of the Russian Soviet Federal Socialist Republic and hence did not have a right under the Soviet constitution to secede; have a right under the Soviet constitution to secede;

(2)(2) Other ethnic groups inside Russia, such as the Tatars, would join the Other ethnic groups inside Russia, such as the Tatars, would join the Chechens and secede from the Russian Federation if they were granted that Chechens and secede from the Russian Federation if they were granted that right; and right; and

(3)(3) Chechnya was at a major chokepoint in the oil-infrastructure of the Chechnya was at a major chokepoint in the oil-infrastructure of the country and hence would hurt the country's economy and control of oil country and hence would hurt the country's economy and control of oil resources resources

Independence Independence

Dzhokhar Dudayev declares Chechnya independent. Dzhokhar Dudayev declares Chechnya independent. Chechnya turns to chaos, new government unable to govern Chechnya turns to chaos, new government unable to govern

efficiently amidst corruption. efficiently amidst corruption. Slave trade, widespread murder, and terrorism run rampet. Slave trade, widespread murder, and terrorism run rampet. Boris Yeltsin orders 40,000 troops to retake Chechnya. Boris Yeltsin orders 40,000 troops to retake Chechnya.

Advisers tell him it will be a short victorious war that will help Advisers tell him it will be a short victorious war that will help him in the 1996 elections. him in the 1996 elections.

First Chechen WarFirst Chechen War

Russian troops enter Gorzny in 1994 with little preparation. Russian troops enter Gorzny in 1994 with little preparation. Russian forces suffer grave losses but push back the majority Russian forces suffer grave losses but push back the majority

of Chechen resistance to the surrounding mountains. of Chechen resistance to the surrounding mountains. Several terrorist attacks take place in both Chechnya and Several terrorist attacks take place in both Chechnya and

Southern Russia against civilians. Southern Russia against civilians.

First Chechen War - ContinuedFirst Chechen War - Continued

Weary of the war, Yeltsin attempts a ceasefire, and pulls out Weary of the war, Yeltsin attempts a ceasefire, and pulls out all but 3000 troops. all but 3000 troops.

These 3000 troops are caught unprepared in Grozy and These 3000 troops are caught unprepared in Grozy and attacked by militants. attacked by militants.

Yeltsin is forced to sign a peace treaty on the Chechens terms, Yeltsin is forced to sign a peace treaty on the Chechens terms, with the fate of the country to be decided in 2001. But gave it with the fate of the country to be decided in 2001. But gave it

independence in the meantime.independence in the meantime.

The Second Chechen WarThe Second Chechen War More terrorists attacks and bombings on Civilian targets occur More terrorists attacks and bombings on Civilian targets occur

in Russia. in Russia. November 16, 1996 - Dagestani terrorists blew up an apartment building in Kaspiysk November 16, 1996 - Dagestani terrorists blew up an apartment building in Kaspiysk

(Dagestan); 69 persons, mostly relatives of border guards, died. (Dagestan); 69 persons, mostly relatives of border guards, died. April 23, 1997 - A bomb exploded in the Russian railway station of Armavir; 3 people died. April 23, 1997 - A bomb exploded in the Russian railway station of Armavir; 3 people died. May 28, 1997 - Explosion in the Russian railway station of Pyatigorsk; 2 people died. May 28, 1997 - Explosion in the Russian railway station of Pyatigorsk; 2 people died. December 22, 1997 - "Dagestani Central Liberation Front" and the Arab warlord Ibn al-December 22, 1997 - "Dagestani Central Liberation Front" and the Arab warlord Ibn al-

Khattab raided the base of the 136th Armoured Brigade of the Russian Army in Buinaksk Khattab raided the base of the 136th Armoured Brigade of the Russian Army in Buinaksk (Dagestan), destroying its motor pool of some 300 vehicles, including 50 T-72 tanks, and (Dagestan), destroying its motor pool of some 300 vehicles, including 50 T-72 tanks, and killing scores of soldiers. killing scores of soldiers.

April 16, 1998 - A Russian army convoy was ambushed in Ingushetia near the Chechnya April 16, 1998 - A Russian army convoy was ambushed in Ingushetia near the Chechnya border; a general, two colonels and 3 soldiers were killed and Ingush militants were blamed. border; a general, two colonels and 3 soldiers were killed and Ingush militants were blamed.

March 19, 1999 - An explosion in the Central market of Vladikavkaz (North Ossetia); 64 March 19, 1999 - An explosion in the Central market of Vladikavkaz (North Ossetia); 64 people died. people died.

April 7, 1999 - Chechen gunmen killed 4 Russian policemen patrolling the border near April 7, 1999 - Chechen gunmen killed 4 Russian policemen patrolling the border near Stavropol. Stavropol.

The Second Chechen War The Second Chechen War ContinuedContinued

Russian troops again enter Chechnya, this time with coordinated artillery Russian troops again enter Chechnya, this time with coordinated artillery and air strikes. and air strikes.

Vladimir Putin, (the new president) at first only orders a limited advance, Vladimir Putin, (the new president) at first only orders a limited advance, to cut off communications. However, the Russian army soon moves to take to cut off communications. However, the Russian army soon moves to take Grozny. Grozny.

After weeks of intence fighting, Grozny, after being flattened by air strikes After weeks of intence fighting, Grozny, after being flattened by air strikes and artillery, is taken. and artillery, is taken.

Grozny BeforeGrozny Before

Grozny AfterGrozny After

War on TerrorWar on Terror

After the September 11 Attacks Vladimir After the September 11 Attacks Vladimir Putin, began to associate the Chechen conflict Putin, began to associate the Chechen conflict with the War on Terror.with the War on Terror.

This has had some degree of success, as of This has had some degree of success, as of 2006 no country, nor the United Nations has 2006 no country, nor the United Nations has accepted Chechnya’s claim to independence. accepted Chechnya’s claim to independence.

Moscow Theater Hostage Crisis Moscow Theater Hostage Crisis The seizure on October 23, 2002 of a crowded Moscow theatre by armed The seizure on October 23, 2002 of a crowded Moscow theatre by armed

Chechen men and women who claimed allegiance to the separatist Chechen men and women who claimed allegiance to the separatist movement in Chechnya. They took over 900 hostages and demanded the movement in Chechnya. They took over 900 hostages and demanded the

withdrawal of Russian forces from Chechnya.withdrawal of Russian forces from Chechnya. Russian Spetsnatz stormed the building after unleashing an unknown gas. Russian Spetsnatz stormed the building after unleashing an unknown gas.

In the ensuing battle 33 militants and 128 hostages died. Most from the In the ensuing battle 33 militants and 128 hostages died. Most from the deadly gas. deadly gas.

Putin defended the raid saying Russian troops “achieved the near Putin defended the raid saying Russian troops “achieved the near impossible, saving hundreds, hundreds of people”impossible, saving hundreds, hundreds of people”

Discussion Question 3Discussion Question 3

Does Chechnya have the right to secede? Does Chechnya have the right to secede?

Discussion Question 4Discussion Question 4

Are the Chechen militants Terrorists attacking Are the Chechen militants Terrorists attacking innocent civilians? Or freedom fighters innocent civilians? Or freedom fighters attacking a brutal regime?attacking a brutal regime?

Discussion Question 5Discussion Question 5

Are the Russian’s justified in indiscriminately Are the Russian’s justified in indiscriminately bombarding cities when separatists hide bombarding cities when separatists hide amoung them?amoung them?