GEORGIAN, RUSSIAN, AND TURKISH RELATIONS AT THE DAWN OF GEORGIA'S STATEHOOD - THE BREST-LITOVSK PEACE NEGOTIATIONS

Nugzar Zosidze

E-mail: n.zosidze@bsu.edu.ge

Associate Professor, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University

Georgia, Batumi

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2613-3365

Abstract: The February Revolution of 1917 became the harbinger of a new period in the history of the peoples within the Russian Empire. The Brest Peace of 1918 became one of the most significant events in Russian history. In August 1914, when the military campaign began, the German leadership believed that it would be short-lived. However, instead of a quick victory, Germany found itself in a protracted war on two fronts. In November 1914, a meeting was held at the headquarters of Kaiser Wilhelm II, where the participants concluded that victory was only possible on the condition of concluding a separate peace with Russia.

Throughout 1915 and 1916, Germany made significant efforts in both military and diplomatic spheres to achieve its goal. However, the government of the Russian Empire rejected peace proposals, remaining committed to its agreement with the leaders of Great Britain and France (together with Russia, they formed a military-political alliance known in history as the "Entente") not to conclude a separate peace (the corresponding agreement was signed on September 5, 1914). The situation for the countries of the Quadruple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire) worsened. In response, it was decided to intensify the activities of the German secret services, which were tasked with removing Russia from the war by destabilizing its rear.

Particular attention was given to working with parties and movements that opposed the tsarist government. One of these parties was the RSDLP(b), whose leadership, from the very beginning of the war, consistently advocated the slogan "defeat of one's own government" [Felshtinsky Yu. : 28].

The February Revolution, which overthrew the tsarist autocracy, fundamentally shook the foundations of imperialist Russia—this enormous state—and prepared the ground for its destruction.

It coincided with the final stage of the First World War, which caused a terrible economic crisis, devastation, chaos, and lawlessness in Russia. The Russian-German front practically collapsed, and the army was overtaken by an anti-war mood. It became clear that, under the current circumstances, the best decision for Russia would be to conclude a separate peace with the enemy.  However, due to pressure from the Entente countries and certain circles in Russia that had long dreamed of gaining control of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, the Kerensky government was unable to withdraw from the war. The fall of the Russian autocracy undermined the foundations on which the Russian Empire had stood for centuries[ TSGIAG, Case 8 :110-111].

Key words: Georgia; Turkey; Brest Peace Treaty, Russia.

JEL classification: N30, N40