Georgia calls on the US state of Georgia to change its name to West Georgia or New Georgia…
So what should it be called like?
To clarify.
The term “South Ossetia” appeared only at the end of the 19th century when Russia created seeds of ethnic problems in the Caucasus by cutting down borders of Adyghea (Circassia), Ingushetia, Chechnya, and Georgia.
Some of the Ossetians moved to the south, to Georgia in the 17th century when Circassians were attacking them. First Ossetians moved to the historic Georgian region of Dvaleti which was partially in the north of the Caucasus. With time Dvals were assimilated with Ossetians as they had a number advantage. A small amount of Ossetians moved to the south of the Caucasus mountains as well to the “Shida Kartli” region of Georgia.
After the Russian conquest of the Caucasus in the 18th century, Ossetians became the only allies to Russia in the Caucasus, with their help Russia divided the Caucasus into the North-West and North-East which resulted in the defeat of Caucasians, division of everyone, and of course genocide of Circassians. And Ossetians were awarded lands from all the neighbors.
Later the whole Caucasus got annexed by the Russian Empire. Already at the end of the 19th century, Russia started resettling Ossetians to the south, and exactly at that time the term “South Ossetia” first appeared. During this time Russia actively erased Georgian traces in this region to claim it as historically Ossetian land. They washed down millennia-old Georgian frescoes, destroyed very old cemeteries, and created false academic works that were proving it to be Ossetian land.
Tskhinvali, the main city in the region became the capital city of “South Ossetia” and yet, with Russian Empire’s archives at the end of the 19th century there were 0 Ossetians in their own capital.
This region was called “Shida Kartli” 1000 years before the first Russian state was established. This is basically the center of Georgia where Georgians appeared. During the 19th century, this particular part of “Shida Kartli” was called “Samachablo” as the family of Duke Machabeli was ruling this land for centuries.
Even today, “South Ossetia” inhabits 60K Ossetians at max while there are at least a few thousands of Georgians who just appeared in another country because of Russian wars. And even more, were forced to leave their homes.
This is the Russian or Soviet term when Ossetians favored Stalin, while Georgians were against him, to punish Georgians Stalin gave this region autonomy but only “oblast” level, not like Abkhazia which was full autonomy.
Also, Ossetians never really had problems living with Georgians. Only Russia was creating clashing situations, and rebellions from Ossetians on Georgian lands, and were giving weapons to both sides.
Georgia denying the existence of Ossetians as a seperate people in the area is one of the reasons they want to be independent.
9 comments
Fair enough
Why?
Good idea
Well said
Ok.
Georgia calls on the US state of Georgia to change its name to West Georgia or New Georgia…
So what should it be called like?
To clarify.
The term “South Ossetia” appeared only at the end of the 19th century when Russia created seeds of ethnic problems in the Caucasus by cutting down borders of Adyghea (Circassia), Ingushetia, Chechnya, and Georgia.
Some of the Ossetians moved to the south, to Georgia in the 17th century when Circassians were attacking them. First Ossetians moved to the historic Georgian region of Dvaleti which was partially in the north of the Caucasus. With time Dvals were assimilated with Ossetians as they had a number advantage. A small amount of Ossetians moved to the south of the Caucasus mountains as well to the “Shida Kartli” region of Georgia.
After the Russian conquest of the Caucasus in the 18th century, Ossetians became the only allies to Russia in the Caucasus, with their help Russia divided the Caucasus into the North-West and North-East which resulted in the defeat of Caucasians, division of everyone, and of course genocide of Circassians. And Ossetians were awarded lands from all the neighbors.
Later the whole Caucasus got annexed by the Russian Empire. Already at the end of the 19th century, Russia started resettling Ossetians to the south, and exactly at that time the term “South Ossetia” first appeared. During this time Russia actively erased Georgian traces in this region to claim it as historically Ossetian land. They washed down millennia-old Georgian frescoes, destroyed very old cemeteries, and created false academic works that were proving it to be Ossetian land.
Tskhinvali, the main city in the region became the capital city of “South Ossetia” and yet, with Russian Empire’s archives at the end of the 19th century there were 0 Ossetians in their own capital.
This region was called “Shida Kartli” 1000 years before the first Russian state was established. This is basically the center of Georgia where Georgians appeared. During the 19th century, this particular part of “Shida Kartli” was called “Samachablo” as the family of Duke Machabeli was ruling this land for centuries.
Even today, “South Ossetia” inhabits 60K Ossetians at max while there are at least a few thousands of Georgians who just appeared in another country because of Russian wars. And even more, were forced to leave their homes.
This is the Russian or Soviet term when Ossetians favored Stalin, while Georgians were against him, to punish Georgians Stalin gave this region autonomy but only “oblast” level, not like Abkhazia which was full autonomy.
Also, Ossetians never really had problems living with Georgians. Only Russia was creating clashing situations, and rebellions from Ossetians on Georgian lands, and were giving weapons to both sides.
Georgia denying the existence of Ossetians as a seperate people in the area is one of the reasons they want to be independent.
Petty people