Caucasus campaign

Quick Facts: Who was Caucasus campaign?

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Caucasus campaign

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A series of armed conflicts between the Russian and Ottoman Empires over control of the South Caucasus.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Caucasus campaign, also known as the Caucasus Front, comprised armed conflicts between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire, later including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Mountainous Republic of the Northern Caucasus, the German Empire, the Central Caspian Dictatorship, and the British Empire, as part of the Middle Eastern theatre during World War I. The Caucasus campaign extended from the South Caucasus to the Armenian Highlands region, reaching as far as Trabzon, Bitlis, Mush and Van. The land warfare was accompanied by naval engagements in the Black Sea. The Russian military campaign started on 1 November 1914 with the Russian invasion of Turkish Armenia. In February 1917, the Russian advance was halted following the Russian Revolution. The Russian Caucasus Army soon disintegrated and was replaced by the forces of the newly established Transcaucasian state, comprising partly of Armenian volunteer units and irregular units which had previously been part of the Russian Army.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

During 1918 the region also saw the establishment of the Central Caspian Dictatorship, the Republic of Mountainous Armenia and an Allied intervention force, nicknamed Dunsterforce, composed of troops drawn from the Mesopotamian and Western Fronts. On March 3, 1918, the campaign had terminated between the Ottoman Empire and Russia with the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, and on June 4, 1918, the Ottomans signed the Treaty of Batum with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia gaining independence. However, conflict continued as the Ottoman Empire was still engaged with the Central Caspian Dictatorship, the Republic of Mountainous Armenia, and the Dunsterforce of the British Empire until the Armistice of Mudros was signed on October 30, 1918. The Turkish genocide of the Armenians began in April 1915 when 250 Armenians were arrested. The official reason was that the Armenians were in league with the Russians and could serve as a potential fifth column.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The genocide continued until 1918. The main objective of the Ottoman Empire was the recovery of territory in the Caucasus, including regions captured by the Russian Empire as a result of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. The strategic goals of the Caucasus campaign for Ottoman forces was to retake Artvin, Ardahan, Kars, and the port of Batum. A success in this region would mean a diversion of Russian forces to this front from the Polish and Galician fronts. A Caucasus campaign would have a distracting effect on Russian forces.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1877: 1877 Milestone — The main objective of the Ottoman Empire was the recovery of territory in the Caucasus, including regions captured by the Russian Empire as a result of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78.
2. 1914: 1914 Milestone — The Russian military campaign started on 1 November 1914 with the Russian invasion of Turkish Armenia.
3. 1915: 1915 Milestone — The Turkish genocide of the Armenians began in April 1915 when 250 Armenians were arrested.
4. 1917: 1917 Milestone — In February 1917, the Russian advance was halted following the Russian Revolution.
5. 1918: 1918 Milestone — During 1918 the region also saw the establishment of the Central Caspian Dictatorship, the Republic of Mountainous Armenia and an Allied intervention force, nicknamed Dunsterforce, composed of troops drawn from the Mesopotamian and Western Fronts.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Caucasus campaign

True or False: “The primary goal for the Ottoman Empire in the Caucasus was solely to secure trade routes with Persia.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While securing resources was key, their strategic goals also included retaking specific territories like Artvin, Ardahan, Kars, and the port of Batum.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdul-Karim Qasim — Historical peer (Born in 1914) (1914): Iraqi military officer who led the country as Prime Minister from 1958 to 1963.
• Adolph Green — Historical peer (Born in 1914) (1914): American lyricist and playwright known for his long-running, witty partnership with Betty Comden.
• Abdullah al-Sallal — Historical peer (Born in 1917) (1917): Yemeni military officer and revolutionary who led the North Yemeni Revolution of 1962.
• Adolf von Baeyer — Historical peer (Died in 1917) (1917): Pioneering German chemist known for indigo synthesis and IUPAC nomenclature.
• Abdul Hamid II — Historical peer (Died in 1918) (1918): Last effective Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, navigating decline and constitutional upheaval.
• Abraham Pais — Historical peer (Born in 1918) (1918): Pioneering physicist and acclaimed science historian of modern physics.
• A. A. K. Niazi — Historical peer (Born in 1915) (1915): Pakistani general who commanded Eastern Command during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
• Abba Eban — Historical peer (Born in 1915) (1915): Israeli diplomat, politician, and scholar of Arabic and Hebrew languages.
• Adolphe Thiers — Historical peer (Died in 1877) (1877): Influential French statesman, historian, and President of the Third Republic.
• Aga Khan III — Historical peer (Born in 1877) (1877): 48th Imam of the Nizari Isma'ili community and founder of the All-India Muslim League.

Frequently Asked Questions about Caucasus campaign