British-Armenian Military Relations in Transcaucasia During the Early Stages of the Russian Civil War (1917–1918): A Critical Analysis
International History Review, cilt.47, sa.5, ss.708-730, 2025 (AHCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 47 Sayı: 5
- Basım Tarihi: 2025
- Doi Numarası: 10.1080/07075332.2024.2419458
- Dergi Adı: International History Review
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, Periodicals Index Online, Historical Abstracts, Index Islamicus, MLA - Modern Language Association Database
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.708-730
- Anahtar Kelimeler: British Empire, First World War, Revolution;Armenians, Russian, Transcaucasia
- Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This article offers a critical examination of the British-Armenian military relations in Transcaucasia during the early stages of the Russian Civil War (1917-1918), highlighting the complex interplay between British foreign policy, imperial ambitions, and local nationalisms.The plight of the Armenians resonated deeply with the British public and politicians during the First World War. A crucial moment came when the Russian monarchy fell, triggering a complex scenario in Transcaucasia and necessitating a thorough reshuffle of Britain’s foreign and military strategies in the region. In this context, the present study analyses Britain’s political maneuvers and dealings with Armenians in response to the evolving situation in Transcaucasia after the February Revolution. This article shows that notwithstanding the humanitarian ethos that was prevalent in British political rhetoric after the February Revolution in Russia, the strategic undertakings of Britain on the Caucasus front were heavily influenced by its imperial politics and determination to maintain its role in shaping the future of the Middle East and larger Asia. Highlighting the contradictions in British policies toward the region, it argues that these policies were mainly characterized by a colonial mindset that regarded Armenians and other local forces merely as serviceable instruments for realizing a broader imperialist agenda.