Baku Commune

Quick Facts: Who was Baku Commune?

Subject:

Baku Commune

Known for:

Bolshevik and Left SR governance in Baku, 1918, preceding the fall to Ottoman forces.

Born:

1918

Died:

1918

Century / Era:

1918s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Foundation

The Baku Commune was established in 1918 within the city of Baku, which served as the capital for the nascent Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. This revolutionary body was primarily composed of members from the Bolshevik faction and the Left Socialist Revolutionary (SR) group. The commune's leadership was notably guided by the Armenian revolutionary, Stepan Shahumyan. Its existence represented a brief period of radical governance in a strategically vital region, setting the stage for intense political conflict among various local factions.

Breakthrough & Iconic Era

The period of the Baku Commune saw significant internal struggles, culminating in the Bolsheviks being forcibly removed from power. This overthrow occurred on July 26, 1918, by a powerful coalition comprising Dashnaks, Right SRs, and Mensheviks. Following their expulsion, the Baku commissars faced capture by the Centrocaspian Dictatorship. Their fate was sealed by the subsequent fall of Baku to Ottoman forces, leading to their eventual arrest and subsequent execution.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The legacy of the Baku Commune is marked by its violent conclusion and the subsequent political turmoil in the Caucasus. After being freed by Red Army soldiers during the Ottoman advance, the commissars were quickly apprehended again. They were ultimately executed by Turkmen SR soldiers on September 20, 1918, near the Transcaspian Railway. This event underscores the profound and tragic impact of the collapse of centralized authority in the region.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1918: Birth of Baku Commune — Bolshevik and Left SR governance in Baku, 1918, preceding the fall to Ottoman forces.
2. 1918: Passing & Historical Legacy — Baku Commune passed away on 1918, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Baku Commune

True or False: “The Bolsheviks were executed immediately after the Ottoman forces captured Baku, as a direct act of military retribution.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The Bolsheviks were executed by Turkmen SR soldiers after being freed by Red Army soldiers during the fall of Baku, not immediately as a direct act of military retribution by the occupying Ottoman forces.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdul Hamid II — Contemporary (Died in 1918) (1918): Last effective Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, navigating decline and constitutional upheaval.
• Abraham Pais — Contemporary (Born in 1918) (1918): Pioneering physicist and acclaimed science historian of modern physics.
• Adolfo Pedernera — Contemporary (Born in 1918) (1918): Argentine football legend, nicknamed 'El Maestro,' pivotal in the 1940s.
• Alberto Ascari — Contemporary (Born in 1918) (1918): Iconic Italian racing driver, two-time Formula One World Champion for Ferrari.
• Aleksandr Lyapunov — Contemporary (Died in 1918) (1918): Pioneering Russian mathematician known for stability theory in dynamical systems.
• Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn — Contemporary (Born in 1918) (1918): Dissident author who exposed Soviet repression, notably the Gulag system.
• Alexandra Feodorovna (Alix of Hesse) — Historical peer (Died in 1918) (1918): Last Empress of Russia, consort to Nicholas II, deeply influential figure in late Imperial history.
• Alsace-Lorraine Soviet Republic — Historical peer (Born in 1918) (1918): Short-lived revolutionary government established in Alsace-Lorraine in November 1918.
• 1918 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1918

Frequently Asked Questions about Baku Commune