Teaching Geography: Workshop 6

Founding of Islam

Mohammed, founder of Islam, born in Mecca. His new monotheistic religion became a unifying force that would join the divided Arab peoples.

The Hegira

Mohammed is forced to withdraw to Medina, 280 miles north east of Mecca, in response to conservative Arabs who see Islam as a threat to their local cults. This move marks the Hegira, or migration, the traditional beginning of the Mohammedan era.

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Growth

Islam spreads quickly over a
25-year period, reaching over
the Caucasus Mountains into present-day Dagestan.

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The Khanate

The Khanate of Astrakhan emerges with the disintegration of the Mongol Golden Horde.

Russia Expands

The Khanate of Astrakhan is dissolved under Ivan IV ("the Terrible") as Russia expands. This predominantly Islamic, ethnically diverse region, which includes part of present-day Dagestan, is incorporated into Russia.

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Further Expansion

Russia expands further into the Caucasus in 1774 and 1784.

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Peter the Great

Peter the Great annexes what we know as Dagestan.

Treaty of Vienna

This map shows Russia's borders as they were established in 1815 with the Treaty of Vienna.

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Shamil the Avar

Shamil the Avar leads an uprising against Czarist Russia, establishing an independent Islamic state. Dagestani nationalities and Chechens join together against the Russians.

Shamil Defeated

Russian forces defeat Shamil and reassert Russian control over the area.

Dagestan

Map of Russia circa 1899 shows Dagestan as part of Russia. At this time, about half of present-day Chechnya is part of Dagestan.

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The Russian Revolution

Russian Revolution and formation of the Soviet Union.

Soviet Times

The Soviet Union establishes the Dagestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR).

A timeline using historical maps shows the confluence of Islam and Russian rule in the area known as Dagestan. Using your mouse pointer, select dates on the timeline below to follow the development of Islamic political entities in the area of present-day Dagestan.

Modern Chechnya

The Chechen-Ingush ASSR is established, leading to the modern-day Chechnya or Chechen Republic.

Stalin and Chechnya

During World War II, Chechens are falsely accused of collaborating with the invading Nazis. The Checheno-Ingush ASSR was abolished until 1958. Stalin deports the entire Chechen nation to Kazakhstan. Many tens of thousands of people die en-route or in camps. Mosques in Chechnya are destroyed.

Nikita Khrushchev

Nikita Khrushchev permits Chechen exiles to return. However, the survivors could not resettle in their traditional mountain villages, but rather had to live in the lowlands under Russian control.

Chechnya Secedes

• 1991 The Chechens form the All National Congress of Chechen people, proclaim independence, and elect a president.
• 1992 The Chechens refuse to sign the treaty for membership in the newly formed Russian Federation.
• 1993 The Chechens refuse to vote for the Russian constitution.
• 1994 Russian troops invade Chechnya in order to put down the rebellion.
• 1996 Russia withdraws, agreeing to discuss Chechen independence after five years.

Chechnya and Dagestan

Chechen militants led by warlord Shamil Basayev launch two invasions of neighboring Dagestan. Russian forces respond by invading Chechnya. Skirmishes continue to present day.