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Political unrest in Georgia
in the beginning of XX
century
Hrant Mikaelian
Caucasus Institute

During 1890-s, several political party prototype were
established in Georgia.
 Georgia's Freedom League (appealed to national
and social issues, aimed to restore the
independence of Georgia under favorable
conditions, as the result of overthrow of the
monarchy in Russia)
 Mesame Dasi (left-wing, moderate nationalist
literary group. Merged with RSDLP in 1903, formed
Georgian Menshevik party. Claimed to be first Social
Democrats in the Caucasus)
Emergence of the political parties

 Georgian Bolshevik members of RSDLP (Radical left-
wing, refused “narrow” national borders)
 National Democrats (Nationalist ideology, autonomy
claims, pro-German)
 Armenian Revolutionary Federation (“Dashnak”
party, nationalist and Socialist Revolutionary)
Emergence of the political parties

 Social tensions, agrarian overpopulation
 Inequality, poor conditions for labor workers
 Georgian Orthodox autocephaly
 Cultural and/ or political autonomy
 Federalism/ Liberation from Russian Empire
Agenda

 First known strike took place in 1872 by textile
workers of Mirzoev’s mill
 Until 1900, manifestations were rare
 May Day demonstration of 1901 in Tbilisi claimed to
have had 2000 participants, was broken up. 14
wounded, 30 arrested. Press did not report about
the incident
 The major area of labor strikes was Batumi (1902)
 Khashuri strikes (1903)
Protest movements in Georgia

 Were organized and manipulated by “Soso”, Joseph
Jughashvili
 Series of strikes were held during December, 1901 –
June, 1902
 Strikes at Mantashev’s, Rothschild's factories
 During 9 March demonstrations, 15 were killed,
dozens – wounded.
Batumi strikes

 Mostly immigrant town, with predominance of
temporary workers
 By Jan. 1897, 5,942 people could be considered
“proletariat”. Compare to 3,156 in Kutaisi
 Male to female ratio: 250:100
 Population 28,500 and fast growing
 Most of workers were unskilled, temporary
Batumi demographics

 Mostly immigrant town, with predominance of
temporary workers
 By Jan. 1897, 5,942 people could be considered
“proletariat”. Compare to 3,156 in Kutaisi
 Male to female ratio: 250
 Population 28,500 and fast growing
 Most of workers were unskilled, temporary
Batumi demographics

 Became a repercussion of Batumi strikes
 Peasants refused to pay taxes
 Was organized by the former student Uratadze, who
created a “secret semi-spiritual society”
 Took 4 years (1902-1906)
 The social relations were based on an utopist
principles
 Was in focus of Villari, Kollontay, Leo Tolstoy
 Was an unique case of peasant republic governed by
peasants themselves
The Gurian movement

 Created own armed militia
 Took control over railroad, Post office and Telegraph
 Authorities were ignored
 Some local noblemen were killed by the rebels
 Local militia troops entered Ozurgeti at November,
1905 and declared a “Republic”
 Had its own repercussions in the whole rural area of
Georgia
 The “Republic” was abandoned by Russian military
The Gurian republic

Socio-Economic preconditions for the
unrest

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Political unrest in Georgia in the beginning of XX century

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Political unrest in Georgia in the beginning of XX century