Cultural and historical heritage of the village. Chechen Republic. History of the Chechen Republic

Soviet power brought new orders to the North Caucasus, and not all of them were perceived with hostility. During the years of the USSR, the image of a Caucasian was not only friendly, but also symbolic of Soviet power.

New country, new rules

In the first years of Soviet power throughout the territory North Caucasus Sharia courts existed. Depending on the autonomy, they had different powers.

So, for example, in Chechnya and Ingushetia, only the Supreme Court of the RSFSR could challenge the decision of the Sharia court.

Starting from the second half of the 1920s, the Soviet government began a gradual offensive against sharsuds and Islamic traditions in general, since they did not fit into the new concept. social structure, and already in 1928, the chapter “On crimes constituting remnants of tribal life” was added to the criminal code of the RSFSR.

Under the new law, most of the mountain traditions were equated with serious criminal offenses and were punished for a year in the camp. This led to uprisings, which were brutally suppressed by the soldiers of the Red Army throughout the North Caucasus. The persecution of "Shariatists" and supporters of Muslim customs continued until the mid-1940s. Then the war began.

Fathers and Sons

If we do not take into account collaborationism and deportation processes, we can say that the Great Patriotic War became the factor that allowed Caucasians to organically fit into the friendly family of Soviet peoples. First of all, this is noticeable in the changes in relation to fathers and children.

Before the war, in Caucasian families, fathers tried to keep a distance from their children, especially their sons.

They never took them in their arms and did not say words of approval to them. Even when the child was in danger, the father would call his mother or other women. But the war, according to Soviet ethnographers, radically changed the psychology of Caucasian men.

The book “Culture and Life of the Peoples of the North Caucasus” says the following about this: “the action of these processes was a significant factor in the death of outdated views and customs ... In many families, house-building orders were softened.”

In the 70s, a new generation of Caucasian men walked without embarrassment with their children in parks and escorted them to schools. But this did not mean that the highlanders began to lisp with their offspring. Publicly praising your child was still considered indecent. Even very young boys were taught to behave like adults. To this day, the attitude within the Caucasian family and in public are two different behaviors.

New face of the Caucasus

The second half of the 40s and the beginning of the 50s were marked for the highlanders by the appearance of a new detail of the urban landscape - four- and five-story houses, and large administrative buildings in the neoclassical style.

Communication houses, hotels, universities - all this was supposed to show the Caucasians the inviolability of the new social order.

In the early 60s, there was a setting for the standardization of life. Uninhabited territories were transformed into residential areas with a mandatory set of buildings: a department store, a cinema, a park, Kindergarten, stadium, school, club. All this also provided jobs.

All the cities of the North Caucasus have got water supply, paved roads, sewerage, centralized heating, etc. The villages have also changed. Along central roads Trees have been planted and roads have been levelled. Pompous buildings of village councils, pharmacies, hairdressers, clubs, libraries and shops appeared. The new houses were built of brick and had wooden floors, glass windows and a roof covered with sheet slate.

Since the late 60s, the interior of the new mountain houses consisted of purchased furniture. The walls were decorated with family photographs and carpets, which were laid on the floor only when guests arrived.

In the period from the 70s to the 80s, imported walls became part of the typical interior, in which clothes, dishes and books were stored. The home library was a separate pride of the owners of the apartment. Reading books was not necessary, but having them was a very important element. During the period of standardization of life, the dwellings of the highlanders were not much different from the apartments of any other inhabitant of the USSR. This was another milestone on the path of integration of the highlanders into Soviet society.

Wedding

The Caucasian wedding is probably one of the few traditions that the Soviet government could not completely eradicate. The first Komsomol marriage took place here only in the late 50s. But, despite all the efforts of the activists, the newlyweds after the "Soviet" wedding left for the house of their relatives and held another ceremony there - the traditional one.

There were also precedents when newlyweds from remote villages signed in the registry office a few years after the wedding.

In the 60s, for the first time at weddings, they began to give flowers to the bride. Such an act for the Caucasus was a truly revolutionary innovation. A wedding procession decorated with greenery and a red ribbon, as well as the registration of a marriage by some local official, for example, a deputy of the village council, were also considered special chic in these years.

A man must be an athlete

Sections of martial arts - this is probably the most beloved innovation of the mountaineers of the Soviet regime. Dzhigits showed interest in wrestling back in the 20s, and after the mass opening of sports sections in the 50s, only a bad father did not take his son there.

For Caucasian parents, sports became an excellent counterbalance to the bad influence of the streets, and he brought up those qualities that in the Caucasus have always been considered truly masculine.

In any even the most provincial aul there was one or two sections of the struggle. For mountain boys, engaging in martial arts was comparable to initiation into men. This gave a specific goal, disciplined and taught how to protect yourself and your loved ones. For Soviet society as a whole, this also had positive effects. In addition to the fact that the sections of the North Caucasus brought up a number of Olympic medalists, they also made the streets safer. After all, now young people could splash out their hot temper in the ring or tatami, and not on a random passerby.

In November 1920, the Congress of the Peoples of the Terek Region proclaimed the creation of the Mountain Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic with its capital in Vladikavkaz as part of six administrative districts, one of which was the Chechen National District.

The Sunzhensky Cossack District was also formed as part of the Mountain Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.

During the Civil War in Russia, several Russian settlements in large Chechen villages, as well as Cossack villages on the Sunzha, were destroyed by Chechens and Ingush, their inhabitants were killed. The Soviet government, needing the support of the mountain peoples against the Volunteer Army of Denikin and the Cossacks allied to it, “rewarded” the Chechens by giving them part of the Terek-Sunzha interfluve

In September 1920, an anti-Soviet uprising began in the mountainous regions of Chechnya and Northern Dagestan, led by Nazhmudin Gotsinsky and the grandson of Imam Shamil, Said Bey. The rebels were able to establish control over many areas within a few weeks. Soviet troops managed to liberate Chechnya from the rebels only in March 1921.

On November 30, 1922, the Chechen NO was transformed into the Chechen Autonomous Region. At the beginning of 1929, the Sunzhensky Cossack District and the city of Grozny, which previously had a special status, were annexed to the Chechen Autonomous Okrug.

In the spring of 1923, the Chechens boycotted the elections to local councils and smashed polling stations in some settlements, protesting against the desire of the central authorities to impose their representatives on them in the elections. An NKVD division, reinforced by detachments of local activists, was sent to suppress the unrest.

The unrest was suppressed, but there were continuous attacks on the border areas with Chechnya with the aim of robbery and cattle rustling. This was accompanied by hostage-taking and shelling of the Shatoi fortress. Therefore, in August-September 1925, another, larger-scale military operation was carried out to disarm the population. During this operation, Gotsinsky was arrested.

In 1929, many Chechens refused to supply bread to the state. They demanded the cessation of grain procurement, disarmament and the removal of all grain producers from the territory of Chechnya. In this regard, the operational group of troops and units of the OGPU in the period from December 8 to 28, 1929 carried out a military operation, as a result of which armed groups were neutralized in the villages of Goyty, Shali, Sambi, Benoy, Tsontoroy and others.

But the opponents of Soviet power intensified the terror against the party-Soviet activists and launched the anti-Soviet movement on a wider scale. In this regard, in March-April 1930, a new military operation was carried out, which weakened the activity of opponents of Soviet power, but not for long.

At the beginning of 1932, in connection with collectivization, a large-scale uprising broke out in Chechnya, in which this time a significant part of the Russian population of the Nadterechny Cossack villages also took part. It was suppressed in March 1932, while entire villages were deported outside the North Caucasus.

On January 15, 1934, the Chechen Autonomous Region was merged with the Ingush Autonomous Region into the Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Region. Russians prevailed in the authorities of the CHI ASSR due to the existence of large cities with a predominantly Russian population (the cities of Grozny, Gudermes, etc.).

P.S. According to Big Soviet Encyclopedia in 1920, among Chechens there were 0.8% of literates, and by 1940, literacy among Chechens was 85%

In the summer, Chechen gangs began to systematically attack the section of the Vladikavkaz railway Grozny - Khasavyurt, and in September, after the withdrawal of regular units of the Russian army from Grozny, Chechen gangs began to attack oil fields and set them on fire. They also made systematic and devastating raids on German colonies, Russian economies, farms, villages, settlements of Khasavyurt and adjacent districts. On December 29 and 30, the villages of Kakhanovskaya and Ilyinskaya were completely ruined and burned.

In the autumn of 1917, a real battle broke out in Grozny between units of the Chechen cavalry regiment of the Caucasian native division that returned from the front and the Terek Cossacks, which turned into a pogrom of the Chechens of Grozny. In response, the Chechen National Committee was formed, headed by Sheikh Deni Arsanov. Grozny turned into a besieged fortress, oil production completely stopped.

In December 1917, the Chechen units of the Caucasian native division captured Grozny. In January 1918, detachments of the Red Guard from Vladikavkaz established control over Grozny and power in the city passed into the hands of the Military Revolutionary Committee. In March 1918, the Congress of the Chechen people in Goyty elected the Goyty People's Council (Chairman T. Eldarkhanov), which declared its support for Soviet power. In May 1918, the Third Congress of the Peoples of the Terek was held in Grozny.

By the middle of 1918, during the clashes between the mountain peoples and the troops of the Volunteer Army of General Denikin, the highlanders began to unite around the Avar sheikh Uzun-Khadzhi. Uzun-Hadji with a small detachment occupied the village of Vedeno, entrenched in it and declared war on Denikin. In September 1919, Uzun-Hadji announced the creation of the North Caucasian Emirate

On August 11, 1918, the troops of the Terek White Cossacks, numbering up to 12 thousand people, under the command of L. Bicherakhov, made an attempt to capture Grozny. The garrison of the city repulsed the attack, but after that the siege of Grozny began. For defense, the Bolsheviks assembled a detachment of up to 3 thousand people, consisting of soldiers of the city garrison, mountaineers of the surrounding villages and the poorest Cossacks, the leadership of which was taken over by the commander of the city garrison N. F. Gikalo. With the participation of G.K. Ordzhonikidze and M.K. Levandovsky, detachments of Red Cossacks with a total number of 7 thousand people were created under the command of A.Z. Dyakov, who from October began to strike at the White Cossack troops from the rear. On November 12, with a simultaneous blow from the besieged from the city and the Red Cossacks under the command of Dyakov, the resistance of the White Cossacks was broken and the siege of Grozny was lifted.

In February 1919, the troops of the Caucasian Volunteer Army of General P. Wrangel entered Grozny. In the same month, an echelon of British troops from Port Petrovsk arrived in Grozny by rail. In March 1919, the Terek Great Cossack Circle began work in Grozny. In September 1919, Grozny attacked a detachment of Chechen pro-Soviet rebels under the command of A. Sheripov. In a battle near the village of Vozdvizhenskoye, A. Sheripov was killed, but in October 1919 the insurgent "Freedom Army" occupied Grozny.

Parts of the Red Army entered Grozny in March 1920.

Uzun-Hadji died and the "dissolution" of his government was announced.

Chechnya before 1936 Soviet Chechnya

In September 1920, an anti-Soviet uprising began in the mountainous regions of Chechnya and Northern Dagestan, led by Nazhmudin Gotsinsky and the grandson of Imam Shamil, Said Bey. The rebels in a few weeks were able to establish control over many areas. Soviet troops managed to liberate Chechnya from the rebels only in March 1921.

But the opponents of Soviet power intensified the terror against the party-Soviet activists and launched the anti-Soviet movement on a larger scale. In this regard, in March-April 1930, a new military operation was carried out, which weakened the activity of opponents of Soviet power, but not for long.

Chechen-Ingush ASSR

Main article: Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic

On December 5, 1936, the region was transformed into an Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.

Armed anti-Soviet demonstrations continued in Chechnya until 1936, and in the mountainous regions until 1938. In total, from 1920 to 1941, 12 major armed uprisings (with the participation of 500 to 5 thousand militants) and more than 50 less significant ones took place on the territory of Chechnya and Ingushetia. The military units of the Red Army and internal troops from 1920 to 1939 lost 3564 people killed in battles with the rebels.

In January 1940, a new armed anti-Soviet uprising began in Chechnya under the leadership of Khasan Israilov.

Great Patriotic War[edit | edit wiki text]

Main article: Chechnya during the Great Patriotic War

Chechen Republic

"Chechen Revolution"

In the summer of 1990, a group of prominent representatives of the Chechen intelligentsia came up with the initiative to hold the Chechen National Congress to discuss the problems of reviving national culture, language, traditions, and historical memory. On November 23-25, the Chechen National Congress was held in Grozny, which elected an Executive Committee headed by Chairman Major General Dzhokhar Dudayev. On November 27, the Supreme Soviet of the Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, under pressure from the executive committee of the Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, adopted the Declaration on State Sovereignty of the Chechen-Ingush Republic. On June 8-9, 1991, the 2nd session of the First Chechen National Congress was held, which declared itself the National Congress of the Chechen People (OKChN). The session decided to depose the Supreme Council of the CHIR and proclaimed the Chechen Republic of Nokhchi-cho, and proclaimed the Executive Committee of the OKCHN headed by D. Dudayev as a temporary authority.

The events of August 19-21, 1991 became a catalyst for the political situation in the republic. On August 19, at the initiative of the Vainakh Democratic Party, a rally in support of Russian leadership, but after August 21, he began to take place under the slogans of the resignation of the Supreme Council, along with its chairman, for "assisting the putschists", as well as re-elections of the parliament. On September 1-2, the 3rd session of the OKCHN declared the Supreme Council of the Chechen-Ingush Republic deposed and transferred all power on the territory of Chechnya to the Executive Committee of the OKChN. On September 4, the Grozny television center and the Radio House were seized. The chairman of the Grozny executive committee, Dzhokhar Dudayev, read out an appeal in which he called the leadership of the republic “criminals, bribe-takers, embezzlers of public funds” and announced that from “September 5 until democratic elections are held, power in the republic passes into the hands of the executive committee and other general democratic organizations.” In response, the Supreme Council declared a state of emergency in Grozny from 00:00 on September 5 to September 10, but six hours later the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet canceled state of emergency. On September 6, the chairman of the Supreme Council of the Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, Doku Zavgaev, resigned, and. O. Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR Ruslan Khasbulatov. A few days later, on September 15, the last session of the Supreme Council of the Chechen-Ingush Republic took place, at which a decision was made to dissolve itself. As a transitional body, a Provisional Supreme Council (VVS) was formed, consisting of 32 deputies, whose chairman was the deputy chairman of the OKCHN Executive Committee, Hussein Akhmadov. The OKCHN created the National Guard, headed by the leader of the Islamic Way party, Beslan Kantemirov.

By the beginning of October, a conflict arose between supporters of the OKCHN Executive Committee, headed by Akhmadov, and his opponents, headed by Yu. Chernov. On October 5, seven of the nine members of the Air Force decided to remove Akhmadov, but on the same day the National Guard seized the building of the House of Trade Unions, where the Air Force met, and the building of the republican KGB. Then they arrested the prosecutor of the republic Alexander Pushkin. The next day, the Executive Committee of the OKChN "for subversive and provocative activities" announced the dissolution of the Air Force, assuming the functions of a "revolutionary committee for transition period with full power." The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR demanded that the Dudayevites hand over their weapons by midnight on October 9th. However, the OKChN Executive Committee called this demand "an international provocation aimed at perpetuating colonial domination" and declared gazavat, calling all Chechens from 15 to 55 years old to arms.

Dudaev regime

On October 27, 1991, presidential elections were held in Chechnya, which were won by Dzhokhar Dudayev, who received 90.1% of the vote. Already on November 1, Dudayev's decree "On declaring the sovereignty of the Chechen Republic" was issued, and on November 2, the Congress of People's Deputies of the RSFSR declared illegal the elections to the highest body of state power (the Supreme Council) and the President of the Republic. On November 8, President of the RSFSR Boris Yeltsin signed a decree declaring a state of emergency on the territory of Checheno-Ingushetia. On November 10, the OKCHN executive committee called for breaking off relations with Russia and turning Moscow into a "disaster zone", and the next day the session of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR refused to approve the Decree on the introduction of a state of emergency. Leaders of opposition parties and movements have declared their support for President Dudayev and his government as a defender of Chechnya's sovereignty. The Provisional Supreme Council ceased to exist.

Since November, on the territory of Chechnya, Dudayev's supporters began seizing military camps, weapons and property of the Armed Forces and internal troops, and on November 27, General Dudayev issued a decree on the nationalization of weapons and equipment of military units located on the territory of the republic. During his reign in Chechnya, Russians were ousted, which took on the character of ethnic cleansing.

On March 12, 1992, the Parliament of Chechnya adopted the Constitution of the Republic, according to which Chechnya was proclaimed "a sovereign democratic legal state created as a result of the self-determination of the Chechen people." Meanwhile, opposition to Dudayev's administration re-emerged during this period. The most radical representatives of the anti-Dudaev opposition created the Coordinating Committee for the restoration of the constitutional order in the Chechen-Ingush Republic. On the morning of March 21, armed oppositionists numbering up to 150 people seized a television center and a radio center and spoke on Chechen radio calling for the overthrow of the government and parliament of Chechnya. By the evening of the same day, the guards liberated the radio center and suppressed an attempted rebellion. The participants of the rebellion took refuge in the Nadterechny district of the Chechen Republic, whose authorities since the autumn of 1991 did not recognize the Dudayev regime and did not obey the authorities of the Chechen Republic. On June 7, the only unit of the Russian army stationed there, the Grozny garrison, was withdrawn from Chechnya. In the summer of the same year

By February 1993, a constitutional crisis arose in Chechnya between the executive and legislative branches. On April 15, on Theater Square in Grozny, first under economic and then under political slogans, an opposition rally began, demanding the resignation of the president and government and holding new parliamentary elections. Taking advantage of this, on April 17, Dudayev issued decrees on the dissolution of the Parliament, the Constitutional Court, the Grozny City Assembly, introduced presidential rule and a curfew in the republic, and disbanded the Ministry of Internal Affairs. On the same day, supporters of the president began their rally. On June 4, Dudayev's armed supporters under the command of Shamil Basayev seized the building of the Grozny city assembly, where meetings of the Parliament and the Constitutional Court of the Chechen Republic were held, dispersing the Parliament, the Constitutional Court and the Grozny city assembly.

"Civil War in Chechnya"

On January 14, 1994, the Chechen Republic of Nokhchi-cho (Chechen Republic) was renamed the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (ChRI). In the same month, the formations of the National Salvation Committee (KNS) attempted to attack the positions of government troops near Grozny, but on February 9, its head, Ibragim Suleimenov, was captured by the DGB, after which his group broke up. In the summer, the armed struggle against the Dudayev regime was led by the Provisional Council of the Chechen Republic (VChR), headed by the mayor of the Nadterechny district, Umar Avturkhanov, which arose in December 1993. In July-August, the opposition group of the former mayor of Grozny, Bislan Gantamirov, established control over Urus-Martan and the main territory of the Urus-Martan district, and the group of Dudayev's former head of security, Ruslan Labazanov, over Argun. On June 12-13, armed clashes took place in Grozny between government troops and Ruslan Labazanov's group. On August 2, the head of the VSChR, Umar Avturkhanov, announced that the council was removing Dzhokhar Dudayev from power and taking over "full power in the Chechen Republic." On August 11, Dudayev signed a decree on the introduction of martial law in Chechnya and the announcement of mobilization.

In the fall, the formations of the Provisional Council, created with the assistance of the Russian security forces, deployed fighting against the Dudayev regime. On September 1, government troops (Dudaev's men) attacked the outskirts of Urus-Martan, on September 5 they defeated Ruslan Labazanov's detachment in Argun, and on September 17 they surrounded the village of Tolstoy-Yurt. On September 27, government troops unsuccessfully attacked the opposition in the Nadterechny region, and at the same time, opposition detachments raided Chernorechye, a suburb of Grozny, from the direction of Urus-Martan. On October 13, Dudayev attacked the base of opposition detachments near the village of Gekhi. On October 15, opposition troops entered Grozny from two sides and, without meeting resistance, established control over several districts of the capital, finding themselves "400-500 meters" from the complex of government buildings. However, they soon left Grozny, returning to their positions 40 km from the city. In turn, Dudayev said that “special forces of the Russian army” entered the city with armored vehicles and artillery, but government troops managed to “stop, surround and neutralize them.” On the morning of October 19, government troops, supported by armored vehicles and artillery, launched an attack on the Urus-Martan region and attacked the regional center of Urus-Martan, where the headquarters of the commander of the united armed forces of the opposition Bislan Gantamirov was located, and also advanced in the direction of the village of Tolstoy-Yurt.

Meanwhile, the Provisional Council of the Chechen Republic began preparations for its latest offensive against Grozny. On November 23, the Government of National Revival (PNV) was formed, headed by the former Minister of the Petrochemical Industry of the USSR and the leader of the Daimokhk movement, Salambek Khadzhiev. On November 26, the anti-Dudaev opposition, led by the Russian military, stormed Grozny, entering the capital from the northern and northeastern outskirts of the city. The Dudayevites repulsed the assault, capturing several Russian servicemen. After the failure of the attempt to overthrow Dzhokhar Dudayev by the forces of the Chechen opposition, the Russian government decided to send a regular army into Chechnya. On November 29, the Russian Security Council decided on a military operation in Chechnya, and the next day Boris Yeltsin signed a secret Decree No. 2137s "On measures to restore constitutional law and order on the territory of the Chechen Republic."

First Chechen War

Main article: First Chechen War

Fighting around the building of the former republican committee of the Communist Party ("Presidential Palace") in Grozny, January 1995

On the morning of December 1, Russian aviation attacked the Kalinovskaya and Khankala airfields, and then the Grozny-Severny airfield, destroying all of Chechnya's aviation. On December 11, Boris Yeltsin signed Decree No. 2169 "On Measures to Ensure Law, Law and Order and Public Security on the Territory of the Chechen Republic." On the same day, units of the United Group of Forces (OGV), which consisted of parts of the Ministry of Defense and the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, entered from the west (from North Ossetia through Ingushetia), northwest (from the Mozdok region of North Ossetia) and east (from the territory of Dagestan) to the territory of Chechnya. By the end of December, fighting began on the outskirts of Grozny. On December 20, the Mozdok group occupied the village of Dolinsky and blocked the Chechen capital from the northwest, and the Kizlyar group in the same period captured the crossing near the village of Petropavlovskaya and, having occupied it, blocked Grozny from the northeast. On the night of December 23, the units that were part of this grouping bypassed the city from the east and occupied the capital's village - Khankala. Dec. 31 Russian army began the assault on Grozny. Heavy street fighting broke out in the city. On January 19, federal troops took the Presidential Palace, after which the main forces of the Dudayevites withdrew to the southern regions of Chechnya. Finally, on March 6, 1995, Shamil Basayev's battalion retreated from the suburbs of the capital Chernorechye, the last territory of Grozny held by Chechen fighters. After the capture of Grozny, the fighting spread to the flat part of Western and Eastern Chechnya. On March 30, Gudermes was occupied, and the next day - Shali.

By the end of April, the Russian army occupied almost the entire flat territory of Chechnya, after which the federal troops began preparing for a “mountain war”. The Russian side announced the suspension of hostilities from April 28 to May 11. On May 12, federal forces launched a broad offensive in the foothill areas, in the Vedensky, Shatoysky and Agishtynsky directions. On June 3, Vedeno and the dominant heights around Nozhai-Yurt were occupied, and on June 12, the regional centers of Shatoi and Nozhai-Yurt passed under the control of federal troops. However, as the federal troops advanced south, Chechen fighters transferred part of their forces to the plain. In addition, there has been a sharp increase in the number of terrorist operations directed against federal soldiers and Chechen leaders loyal to Russia. The largest of these were the June 14 seizure by Chechen militants of a hospital in Budyonnovsk in the Stavropol Territory and the attack on January 9, 1996 by a detachment of militants on the Dagestan city of Kizlyar, accompanied by hostage-taking.

After the capture of Grozny, republican authorities recognized by the Russian leadership began to operate on the territory of Chechnya: the Provisional Council and the Government of National Revival. A number of Russian-Chechen negotiations took place in the summer. In early October, the former chairman of the Supreme Council of the Chechen-Ingush Republic, Doku Zavgaev, became chairman of the Government of National Revival. On December 16-17, elections of the Head of the Chechen Republic were held in Chechnya, which were won by Zavgaev, who received 96.4% of the vote. On March 6, 1996, the militants attacked Grozny, capturing part of the city. After three days of fighting, the militants left the city, taking with them food supplies, medicines and ammunition. On April 21, Dzhokhar Dudayev was killed by a missile attack from two Russian Su-25 attack aircraft after Russian intelligence services took direction from his satellite phone. The next day State Council defense CRI announced and. O. President Zelimkhan Yandarbiev. Despite some successes of the Russian Armed Forces, the war began to take on a protracted character. On May 27, a meeting was held in Moscow between Boris Yeltsin and Zelimkhan Yandarbiev, as a result of which an Agreement was signed on a ceasefire, hostilities and measures to resolve the armed conflict on the territory of Chechnya. On June 10, in Nazran, during the next round of negotiations, an agreement was reached on the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Chechnya (with the exception of two brigades), the disarmament of separatist detachments, and the holding of free democratic elections. Already on July 1, the Chechen side announced that the Russian command was not complying with the terms of the ceasefire, since it had not liquidated the checkpoints, which was provided for by the Nazran agreements. A few days later, the Chechen side threatened to withdraw from the negotiation process. On July 8, General V. Tikhomirov demanded from Yandarbiyev "explanations on all the facts" and the return of all the prisoners who were on the Chechen side by 18:00, and the next day the Russian army resumed hostilities. On August 6, Chechen fighters attacked Grozny. The Russian garrison under the command of General Pulikovsky, despite a significant superiority in manpower and equipment, could not hold the city. At the same time, on August 6, the militants took control of the cities of Argun and Gudermes. On August 31, Chairman of the Russian Security Council Alexander Lebed and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria Aslan Maskhadov signed ceasefire agreements in Khasavyurt that ended the First Chechen War. The result of the agreement was the withdrawal of federal troops from Chechnya, and the question of the status of the republic was postponed until December 31, 2001.

Interwar Crisis in Chechnya

Main article: Interwar crisis in Chechnya

After the death of Dzhokhar Dudayev, the influence of Islamic extremists began to increase in Chechnya, the idea of creating an independent national republic was replaced by building an Islamic state in the North Caucasus. Supporters of Wahhabism began to rapidly gain positions in the republic, which was facilitated by politics and. O. CRI President Zelimkhan Yandarbiev. Sharia courts began to operate throughout Chechnya, and a Sharia guard was created. On the territory of the republic, camps were set up for the training of militants - young people from the Muslim regions of Russia. Criminal structures with impunity did business on mass kidnappings, hostage-taking, theft of oil from oil pipelines and oil wells, terrorist attacks and attacks on neighboring Russian regions.

On January 27, 1997, presidential elections were held in Chechnya, which were won by Aslan Maskhadov, who received 59.1% of the vote. In the context of aggravated contradictions between the field commanders, who secured various territories for themselves, and the central government, Maskhadov attempts to reach a compromise by including the most recognized opposition leaders in the government. In January 1998, field commander Shamil Basayev was appointed acting. O. Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers. Other field commanders went into open confrontation with the president. On June 20, field commander Salman Raduev spoke on local television, calling on Chechens to take active steps against the leadership of the republic. The next day, his supporters attempted to seize television and the mayor's office, but the government special forces approached them and clashed with them, as a result of which the director of the national security service, Lecha Khultygov, and the chief of staff of the Radevsky detachment, Vakha Jafarov, were killed. On June 24, Maskhadov introduced a state of emergency in Chechnya. On July 13, in Gudermes, there was a clash between the fighters of the Islamic special forces regiment of field commander Arbi Baraev and the national guard battalion Sulim Yamadayev, and on July 15, Baraev’s armed group attacked the barracks of the Gudermes National Guard Battalion. On July 20, President Maskhadov by his decree announced the disbandment of the Sharia Guard and the Islamic Regiment.

On September 23, Shamil Basayev and Salman Raduyev demanded the president's resignation, accusing him of usurping power, violating the Constitution and Sharia law, and of pro-Russian foreign policy. In response, Maskhadov dismissed Shamil Basayev's government. As a result of the confrontation, the president lost control of most of the territory outside of Grozny. On February 3, 1999, Maskhadov announced the introduction of "full Sharia rule" in Chechnya. The parliament was deprived of legislative rights, and the Shura, the Islamic Council, became the supreme legislative body. In response, Basayev announced the creation of an "oppositional Shura", which he himself headed. While there was a confrontation between supporters of the course of Aslan Maskhadov (“moderates”) and “radicals” (the opposition Shura headed by Shamil Basaev), the situation on the Chechen-Dagestan border escalated. The leader of the Dagestan Wahhabis, Bagauddin Kebedov, who received asylum in Chechnya, with the material support of Chechen field commanders, created and armed autonomous combat formations. In June-August, the first clashes took place between the militants who penetrated Dagestan and the Dagestan police, and on August 7, the combined Chechen-Dagestan group of Wahhabis under the command of Shamil Basayev and the Arab mercenary Khattab from Chechnya invaded the territory of Dagestan. On August 15, Maskhadov introduced a state of emergency in Chechnya, and the next day, at a rally in Grozny, he accused the Russian leadership of destabilizing the situation in Dagestan.

Second Chechen War

From time immemorial, Chechens have been famous as hardy, strong, dexterous, inventive, severe and skillful warriors. The main features of the representatives of this nation have always been: pride, fearlessness, the ability to cope with any life difficulties, as well as high reverence for consanguinity. Representatives of the Chechen people: Ramzan Kadyrov, Dzhokhar Dudayev.

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Origin of the Chechens

There are several versions of the origin of the name of the Chechen nation:

Most scientists are inclined to believe that in this way the people began to be called around the 13th century, after the name of the village of Big Chechen. Later, not only the inhabitants of this settlement, but also all neighboring villages of a similar type, began to be called this way.
According to another opinion, the name "Chechens" appeared thanks to the Kabardians, who called this people "Shashan". And, allegedly, the representatives of Russia simply changed this name a little, making it more convenient and harmonious for our language, and over time it took root and this people began to be called Chechens not only in Russia, but also in other states.
There is a third version - according to it, other Caucasian peoples initially called the inhabitants of modern Chechnya Chechens.

By the way, the very word “Vainakh” translated from Nakh into Russian sounds like “our people” or “our people”.

If we talk about the origin of the nation itself, then it is generally accepted that the Chechens have never been a nomadic people and their history is closely connected with the Caucasian lands. True, some scientists argue that in ancient times, representatives of this nation occupied larger territories in the northeastern Caucasus, and only then massively migrated to the north of Kazvkaz. The very fact of such a relocation of the people does not cause any particular doubts, but the motives for the move are not known to scientists.

According to one version, which is partly confirmed by Georgian sources, the Chechens at a certain moment simply decided to occupy the North Caucasian space, where no one lived at that time. Moreover, there is an opinion that the very name of the Caucasus is also of Vainakh origin. Allegedly in old times that was the name of the Chechen ruler, and the territory got its name from his name "Caucasus".

Having settled in the North Caucasus, the Chechens led a settled way of life and did not leave their native places without extreme necessity. They lived in this territory for more than one hundred years (from about the 13th century).

Even when in 1944 almost the entire indigenous population was deported in connection with the unfair accusation of supporting the fascists, the Chechens did not remain in the “foreign” land and returned to their homeland.

Caucasian war

In the winter of 1781, Chechnya officially became part of Russia. The corresponding document was signed by many respectable elders of the largest Chechen villages, who not only put their signature on paper, but also swore on the Koran that they would accept Russian citizenship.

But at the same time, the majority of representatives of the nation considered this document a mere formality and, in fact, were going to continue their autonomous existence. One of the most ardent opponents of the entry of Chechnya into Russia was Sheikh Mansur, who had a huge influence on his fellow tribesmen, since he was not only a preacher of Islam, but was also the first imam of the North Caucasus. Many Chechens supported Mansur, which later helped him become a leader freedom movement and unite all the discontented highlanders into one force.

Thus began the Caucasian War, which lasted nearly fifty years. In the end, the Russian military forces managed to suppress the resistance of the highlanders, however, extremely tough measures were taken for this, up to the burning of hostile auls. Also during that period, the Sunzhinskaya (named after the Sunzha River) line of fortifications was built.

However, the end of the war was very conditional. The established peace was extremely shaky. The situation was complicated by the fact that oil deposits were discovered in Chechnya, from which the Chechens received practically no income. Another difficulty was the local mentality, which was very different from the Russian one.

Chechens and then repeatedly staged various uprisings. But despite all the difficulties, Russia greatly appreciated the representatives of this nationality. The fact is that the men of Chechen nationality were wonderful warriors and were distinguished not only by physical strength, but also by courage, as well as an unbending fighting spirit. During the First World War, an elite regiment was created, consisting of only Chechens and called the "Wild Division".

Chechens have indeed always been considered remarkable warriors, in which composure is surprisingly combined with courage and the will to win. The physical data of representatives of this nationality are also impeccable. Chechen men are characterized by: strength, endurance, dexterity, etc.

On the one hand, this is explained by the fact that they lived in rather harsh conditions, where it was extremely difficult for a physically weak person to exist, and on the other hand, by the fact that almost the entire history of this people is associated with constant struggle and the need to defend their interests with arms in hand. After all, if we look at the events that took place in the Caucasus, both in ancient times and in our time, we will see that the Chechen people have always remained quite autonomous and, in case of dissatisfaction with certain circumstances, easily went into a state of war.

At the same time, combat science among the Chechens has always been very developed, and fathers from early childhood taught their sons how to use weapons and ride a horse. The ancient Chechens managed to do the almost impossible and create their own invincible mountain cavalry. Also, it is they who are considered the founders of such military techniques as nomadic batteries, the technique of blocking the enemy or the withdrawal of "crawling" troops into battle. From time immemorial, their military tactics have been based on surprise, followed by a massive attack on the enemy. Moreover, many experts agree that it is the Chechens, and not the Cossacks, who are the founders of the partisan method of warfare.

National Features

The Chechen language belongs to the Nakh-Dagestan branch and has more than nine dialects that are used in speech and writing. But the main dialect is considered flat, which in the 20th century formed the basis of the literary dialect of this people.

As for religious views, the vast majority of Chechens profess Islam.

Chechens also attach great importance to the observance of the national code of honor "Konakhalla". These ethical rules of conduct were developed in ancient times. And this moral code, to put it very simply, tells how a man should behave in order to be considered worthy of his people and his ancestors.

By the way, Chechens are also characterized by a very strong relationship. Initially, the culture of this people developed in such a way that society was divided into various teips (kinds), belonging to which was of great importance for the Vainakhs. Attitude to a particular family has always been determined by the father. Moreover, to this day, representatives of this people, getting to know a new person, often ask where he is from and from which teip.

Another type of association is "tukhum". This was the name of teip communities created for one purpose or another: joint hunting, farming, protection of territories, repelling enemy attacks, etc.

Chechen. Lezginka.

Special attention should be paid to the national Chechen cuisine, which is rightfully considered one of the most ancient in the Caucasus. From time immemorial, the main products used by the Chechens for cooking were: meat, cheese, cottage cheese, as well as pumpkin, wild garlic and corn. Special meaning it is also attached to spices, which are usually used in huge quantities.

Chechen traditions

Living in the harsh conditions of the mountainous area left its mark on the culture of the Chechens, their traditions. Life here was many times harder than on the plain.

For example, the highlanders often worked the land on the slopes of the peaks, and in order to avoid accidents, they had to work in large groups, obliging themselves with one rope. Otherwise, one of them could easily fall into the abyss and die. Often, half of the aul gathered to carry out such work. Therefore, for a true Chechen, respectable neighborly relations are sacred. And if grief happened in the family of people living nearby, then this grief is the grief of the whole village. If a breadwinner was lost in a neighboring house, then his widow or mother was supported by the whole aul, sharing food or other necessary things with her.

Due to the fact that work in the mountains is usually very hard, the Chechens have always tried to protect the older generation from it. And even the usual greeting here is based on the fact that with old man first they say hello, and then they ask if he needs help with something. Also in Chechnya, it is considered bad form if a young man walks past an elderly man doing hard work and does not offer his help.

Hospitality also plays a huge role for the Chechens. In ancient times, a person could easily get lost in the mountains and die from hunger or an attack by a wolf or a bear. That is why it has always been unthinkable for Chechens not to let a stranger into the house who asks for help. It does not matter what the name of the guest is and whether he is familiar with the hosts, if he is in trouble, then he will be provided with food and lodging for the night.

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Mutual respect is also of particular importance in Chechen culture. In ancient times, the highlanders moved mainly along thin paths encircling peaks and gorges. Because of this, it was sometimes difficult for people to disperse on such paths. And the slightest inaccurate movement could cause a fall from the mountain and the death of a person. That is why Chechens, from early childhood, were taught to respect other people, and especially women and the elderly.

According to numerous studies, Chechens are one of the ancient peoples Caucasus with an expressive anthropological type, a characteristic ethnic face, an original culture and a rich language. Already at the end of the 3rd - the first half of the 2nd millennium BC. the original culture of the local population is developing on the territory of the Chechen Republic. Chechens were directly related to the formation in the Caucasus of such cultures as early agricultural, Kuro-Arak, Maikop, Kayakent-Kharachoev, Mugergan, Koban. The combination of modern indicators of archeology, anthropology, linguistics and ethnography established the deeply local origin of the Chechen (Nakh) people. Mentions of the Chechens (under various names), as the indigenous inhabitants of the Caucasus, are found in many ancient and medieval sources. We find the first reliable written information about the ancestors of the Chechens from Greco-Roman historians of the 1st century. BC. and the beginning of the 1st c. AD

Archaeological research proves the existence of close economic and cultural ties of Chechens not only with neighboring territories, but also with the peoples of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Together with the rest of the peoples of the Caucasus, the Chechens participated in the fight against the invasions of the Romans, Iranians, and Arabs. From the ninth century the flat part of the Chechen Republic was part of the Alanian kingdom. The mountainous regions became part of the kingdom of Serir. The progressive development of the medieval Chechen Republic was stopped by the invasion in the thirteenth century. Mongol-Tatars, who destroyed the first state formations on its territory. Under the onslaught of the nomads, the ancestors of the Chechens were forced to leave the plains and go to the mountains, which undoubtedly delayed the socio-economic development of the Chechen society. In the fourteenth century recovered from Mongol invasion Chechens formed the state of Simsir, later destroyed by the troops of Timur. After the collapse of the Golden Horde, the plain regions of the Chechen Republic fell under the control of Kabardian and Dagestan feudal lords.

The Chechens forced out by the Mongolo-Tatars from the flat lands until the 16th century. lived mainly in the mountains, divided into territorial groups that received names from mountains, rivers, etc. (Michikovtsy, Kachkalykovtsy), near which they lived. From the sixteenth century Chechens begin to return to the plain. From about the same time, Russian Cossack settlers appeared on the Terek and Sunzha, who would soon become integral part North Caucasian community. The Terek-Grebensk Cossacks, which became an important factor in the economic and political history of the region, consisted not only of fugitive Russians, but also of representatives of the mountain peoples themselves, primarily Chechens. In the historical literature, there was a consensus that in the initial period of the formation of the Terek-Grebensk Cossacks (in the 16th-17th centuries), peaceful, friendly relations developed between them and the Chechens. They continued until the end of the 18th century, until tsarism began to use the Cossacks for its colonial purposes. Centuries-old peaceful relations between the Cossacks and the highlanders contributed to the mutual influence of the highlander and Russian culture.

From the end of the sixteenth century the formation of the Russian-Chechen military-political alliance begins. Both parties were interested in its creation. Russia needed the help of the North Caucasian highlanders to successfully fight Turkey and Iran, who had long tried to take over the North Caucasus. Convenient routes of communication with Transcaucasia went through Chechnya. For political and economic reasons, the Chechens were also vitally interested in an alliance with Russia. In 1588, the first Chechen embassy arrived in Moscow, petitioning for the acceptance of Chechens under Russian protection. The Moscow Tsar issued a corresponding charter. The mutual interest of the Chechen owners and the tsarist authorities in peaceful political and economic relations led to the establishment of a military-political alliance between them. By decrees from Moscow, the Chechens constantly went on campaigns together with the Kabardians and the Terek Cossacks, including against the Crimea and the Iranian-Turkish troops. With all certainty it can be argued that in the XVI-XVII centuries. Russia had no more loyal and consistent allies in the North Caucasus than the Chechens. About the emerging close rapprochement between Chechens and Russia in the middle of the XVI-beginning of the XVII centuries. says the fact that part of the Terek Cossacks served under the command of the "Okotsky Murza" - Chechen owners. All of the above is confirmed by a large number of archival documents.

In the second half of the 18th century, and especially in its last two decades, a number of Chechen auls and societies took Russian citizenship. The largest number the oath of allegiance falls on 1781, which gave some historians reason to write that this meant the annexation of the Chechen Republic to Russia.

However, in last third XVIII century new, negative aspects have also appeared in Russian-Chechen relations. As Russia strengthens in the North Caucasus and weakens its rivals (Turkey and Iran) in the struggle for the region, tsarism is increasingly beginning to move from allied relations with the highlanders (including the Chechens) to their direct subordination. At the same time, mountain lands are captured, on which military fortifications and Cossack villages are built. All this met with armed resistance from the highlanders.

From the beginning of the nineteenth century there is an even sharper activation of the Caucasian policy of Russia. In 1818, with the construction of the Grozny fortress, a massive offensive of tsarism against Chechnya began. Viceroy of the Caucasus A.P. Yermolov (1816-1827), having discarded the previous, centuries-old experience of predominantly peaceful relations between Russia and the highlanders, begins by force to quickly establish Russian power in the region. In response, the liberation struggle of the highlanders rises. The tragic Caucasian war begins. In 1840, in response to the repressive policy of the tsarist administration, a general armed uprising took place in the Chechen Republic. Shamil is proclaimed Imam of the Chechen Republic. The Chechen Republic becomes an integral part of the theocratic state of Shamil - the imamate. The process of joining the Chechen Republic to Russia ends in 1859, after the final defeat of Shamil. Chechens suffered greatly during the Caucasian War. Dozens of villages were completely destroyed. Almost a third of the population died from military operations, hunger and disease.

It should be noted that even during the years of the Caucasian War, trade, political, diplomatic and cultural ties between the Chechens and Russian settlers along the Terek, which arose in the previous period, were not interrupted. Even during the years of this war, the border between the Russian state and Chechen societies was not only a line of armed contact, but also a kind of contact-civilization zone, where economic and personal (Kunach) ties developed. The process of mutual knowledge and mutual influence of Russians and Chechens, which weakened enmity and mistrust, has not been interrupted since the end of the 16th century. During the years of the Caucasian War, the Chechens repeatedly tried to peacefully, politically solve the emerging problems in Russian-Chechen relations.

In the 60-70s of the nineteenth century. in the Chechen Republic, administrative and land tax reforms were carried out, the first secular schools for Chechen children were created. In 1868 the first primer in the Chechen language was published. In 1896 the Grozny city school was opened. From the end of the nineteenth century commercial oil production began. In 1893 the railway connected Grozny with the center of Russia. Already at the beginning of the twentieth century. Grozny began to turn into one of the industrial centers of the North Caucasus. Despite the fact that these transformations were carried out in the spirit of the establishment of colonial orders (it was this circumstance that caused an uprising in the Chechen Republic in 1877, as well as the resettlement of part of the population within Ottoman Empire), they contributed to the involvement of the Chechen Republic into a single Russian administrative, economic, cultural and educational system.

During the years of revolution and civil war anarchy and anarchy dominated in the Chechen Republic. During this period, the Chechens survived the revolution and counter-revolution, the ethnic war with the Cossacks, the genocide of the White and Red Armies. Attempts to create an independent state, both religious (the emirate of Sheikh Uzun-Khadzhi) and secular (Mountainous Republic), were not crowned with success. Ultimately, the poor part of the Chechens made a choice in favor of the Soviet government, which promised them freedom, equality, land and statehood.

Decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee in 1922 proclaimed the creation of the Chechen Autonomous Region within the framework of the RSFSR. In 1934, the Chechen and Ingush autonomies were united into the Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Region. In 1936 it was transformed into the Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. During the years of the Great Patriotic War(1941 - 1945) Nazi troops invaded the territory of the autonomy (in autumn 1942). In January 1943, the Chechen-Ingush ASSR was liberated. Chechens bravely fought in the ranks Soviet army. Several thousand soldiers were awarded orders and medals of the USSR. 18 Chechens were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

In 1944, the autonomous republic was liquidated. Two hundred thousand soldiers and officers of the NKVD and the Red Army carried out a military operation to deport over half a million Chechens and Ingush to Kazakhstan and Central Asia. A significant part of the deportees died during the resettlement and in the first year of exile. In 1957, the Chechen-Ingush ASSR was restored. At the same time, some mountainous regions of the Chechen Republic remained closed to Chechens.

In November 1990, the session of the Supreme Council of the Chechen-Ingush Republic adopted the Declaration of Sovereignty. On November 1, 1991, the creation of the Chechen Republic was proclaimed. The new Chechen authorities refused to sign the Federative Treaty. In June 1993, under the leadership of General D. Dudayev, a military coup was carried out in the Chechen Republic. At the request of D. Dudayev, Russian troops were withdrawn from the Chechen Republic. The territory of the republic became a place of concentration of gangs. In August 1994, the opposition Interim Council of the Chechen Republic announced the removal of D. Dudayev from power. The hostilities that unfolded in the Chechen Republic in November 1994 ended in the defeat of the opposition. Based on the decree of the President of the Russian Federation B.N. Yeltsin "On measures to suppress the activities of illegal armed groups on the territory of the Chechen Republic" on December 7, 1994, the entry of Russian troops into Chechnya began. Despite the capture of Grozny by federal forces and the creation of a government of national revival, hostilities were not stopped. A significant part of the Chechen people was forced to leave the republic. Chechen refugee camps were set up on the territory of Ingushetia and in other regions. The war in the Chechen Republic at that time ended with the signing on August 30, 1996 in Khasavyurt of an agreement on the cessation of hostilities and the complete withdrawal of federal troops from the territory of the Chechen Republic. A. Maskhadov became the head of the Republic of Ichkeria. Sharia laws were established on the territory of the Chechen Republic. Despite the Khasavyurt agreements, terrorist attacks by Chechen fighters continued. With the invasion of gangs in August 1999, the territory of Dagestan began new stage military operations in the Chechen Republic. By February 2000, the combined-arms operation to destroy the gangs was completed. In the summer of 2000, Akhmat-hadji Kadyrov was appointed head of the Provisional Administration of the Chechen Republic. The difficult process of the revival of the Chechen Republic began. On March 23, 2003, a referendum was held in the Chechen Republic, in which the population overwhelmingly voted for the Chechen Republic to be part of Russia. The Constitution of the Chechen Republic was adopted, laws on the election of the President and the Government of the Chechen Republic were approved. In autumn 2003, Akhmat-hadji Kadyrov was elected the first President of the Chechen Republic. On May 9, 2004, A. A. Kadyrov died as a result of a terrorist act.

On April 5, 2007, Ramzan Akhmatovich Kadyrov was approved as the President of the Chechen Republic. Under his direct leadership, dramatic changes took place in the Chechen Republic in a very short time. Restored political stability. For the most part the cities of Grozny, Gudermes and Argun were restored. Extensive construction work is being carried out in the regions of the republic. The health and education systems have been fully operational. A new page has begun in the history of the Chechen Republic.

http://chechnya.gov.ru