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THE POLICY OF SOVIET RUSSIA AND THE QUESTION OF WESTERN ARMENIA’S INDEPENDENCE IN 1917-1918
Abstract
This article examines the emergence and the failed implementation of the idea of Western Armenia’s independence in the aftermath of the Bolshevik Revolution. The study explores the political dynamics, internal and external factors, and the overlooked opportunities that could have shaped a different outcome for the Armenian cause in this critical period. While previous scholarly works have extensively addressed the reasons behind the failure of this initiative, they predominantly interpret the events through the lens of external pressures such as the geopolitical interests of the great powers, the rise of Turkish nationalism, and the Sovietization of the South Caucasus. These interpretations, though valid to an extent, often overlook or understate the internal dynamics within the Armenian political leadership and society itself. From a methodological standpoint, the article employs a historical comparative approach. The objective of this article is to shift the narrative by bringing into focus the missed opportunities, strategic miscalculations, and internal fragmentation that contributed to the downfall of the independence movement. The fundamental argument is that even within extremely constrained and hostile international conditions, certain political solutions or initiatives could have been pursued more effectively, had there been a different configuration of leadership, unity, and vision among the Armenian elite.
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References14
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