Episode 50th – After the Russian Civil War: The Fall of the Alash Orda and the Jadids 1925-1938

It is my 50th episode and the last episode of season 2! Today we will discussing the fall of the Alash Orda and the Jadids and the full Sovietization of Central Asia. Since this is the last episode of the season I will be taking a month break and then will launch Season Three: the … Continue reading Episode 50th – After the Russian Civil War: The Fall of the Alash Orda and the Jadids 1925-1938

Episode 49th – After the Russian Civil War: The Last Days of the Basmachi

For a decade the Basmachi frustrated the Soviets, popping up where they were least expected, and preventing them from establishing total control in the region. However, by 1926, the Basmachi were on their last leg. Hiding in northern Afghanistan, they faced a choice of one final assault or fading away into obscurity. If you enjoyed … Continue reading Episode 49th – After the Russian Civil War: The Last Days of the Basmachi

Transforming Central Asian Republics into Nation-States

It is our third anniversary! Help us celebrate by joining my relaunched Patreon and enjoy the chaos that is me, someone with undiagnosed ADHD, try to maintain a podcast that focuses on one conflict at a time. Join My Patreon Stop Cop City The Balance of Power in Central Asia by the End of 1923 … Continue reading Transforming Central Asian Republics into Nation-States

Episode 48: After the Russian Civil War: Transforming Central Asian Republics into Nation-States

It is our third year anniversary! To help us celebrate join my re-launched Patreon and enjoy the chaos that is me, someone with undiagnosed ADHD, try to maintain a podcast that focuses on one conflict at a time. Learn how the Soviet desire for a more centralized approach to the economy and government in Central … Continue reading Episode 48: After the Russian Civil War: Transforming Central Asian Republics into Nation-States

Zhenotdel and Women’s Liberation in Central Asia

One of the reform efforts preached by the Jadids and the Bolsheviks was the "liberation" of Central Asian women. The Bolsheviks sent their own women's group, Zhenotdel, to help Central Asian women modernize, starting with an unveiling campaign that did not go according to plan. Support me on Patreon Help people in Turkey and Syria … Continue reading Zhenotdel and Women’s Liberation in Central Asia

Episode 47-Russian Civil War: Zhenotdel and Women’s Liberation in Central Asia

One of the reform efforts preached by the Jadids and the Bolsheviks was the "liberation" of Central Asian women. The Bolsheviks sent their own women's group, Zhenotdal, to help Central Asian women modernize, starting with an unveiling campaign that did not go according to plan. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon … Continue reading Episode 47-Russian Civil War: Zhenotdel and Women’s Liberation in Central Asia

The Creation of the Central Asian Soviet Republics

After Enver Pasha led the Basmachi to their doom, the Bolsheviks turned their attention towards creating reliably Communist governments in Central Asia who were loyal to the USSR. The local actors, like the Jadids, Alash Orda, Young Bukharans, etc, focused on using Bolshevik capital and military might to create a modern, Islamic government. This episode … Continue reading The Creation of the Central Asian Soviet Republics

Episode 46 – the Russian Civil War: the Creation of the Central Asian Soviet Republics

Apologies for the unexpected hiatus, but we're back with an episode on the creation of the Central Asian Soviet Republics. After Enver Pasha led the Basmachi to their doom, the Bolsheviks turned their attention towards creating reliably Communist governments in Central Asia who were loyal to the USSR. The local actors, like the Jadids, Alash … Continue reading Episode 46 – the Russian Civil War: the Creation of the Central Asian Soviet Republics

Episode 45 – The Russian Civil War: Cho’lpon and Abdulla Qodiriy

Cho'lpon and Abdulla Qodiriy are giants within Uzbek literature. They were also Jadids, Muslim reformers who lived in Central Asia in the 1900s and witness how the Russian Revolution and Civil War affected Turkestan, Bukhara, and Khiva. Learn how they shaped Uzbek cultural and literary identity and how they were vilified and murdered by the … Continue reading Episode 45 – The Russian Civil War: Cho’lpon and Abdulla Qodiriy

Five Facts about the Basmachi’s Approach to Guerrilla Warfare

The Basmachi was disorganized, disjointed guerilla movement in Central Asia during the Russian Civil War. Despite being led by various different leaders and experiencing varying level of organization and success, every unit used these 5 basic tactics in their war against anyone who threatened their small c, conservative values. https://videopress.com/v/5spljiuP?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&posterUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fsamswarroom.files.wordpress.com%2F2022%2F11%2F5-facts-about-the-basmachi-approach-to-guerrilla-warfare.jpg&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true A video about the Basmachi's … Continue reading Five Facts about the Basmachi’s Approach to Guerrilla Warfare

History in 5ish Minutes: the Basmachi’s Approach to Guerrilla Warfare

Learn about the five tactics the Basmachi used against the Bolsheviks and why they, ultimately failed. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Resources “The Basmachi or Freemen’s Revolt in Turkestan 1918-1924 by Martha B. Olcott “Revolution in the Borderlands: The Case of Central Asia in a Comparative Perspective” by Marco Buttino … Continue reading History in 5ish Minutes: the Basmachi’s Approach to Guerrilla Warfare

History in 5ish Minutes: Frunze’s Strategy Against the Basmachi

Learn about the five tactics Red Army General Mikhail Frunze used against the Basmachi. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Help Pakistan Page Help Puerto Rico Page Resources “The Basmachi or Freemen’s Revolt in Turkestan 1918-1924 by Martha B. Olcott “Revolution in the Borderlands: The Case of Central Asia in a … Continue reading History in 5ish Minutes: Frunze’s Strategy Against the Basmachi

Russian Colonialism in Central Asia 1860-1890

From 1860 to 1890, Russia conquered Central Asia. What started as crafting a strong border along their Siberian territories grew into the conquest of most of modern day Central Asia. Join my Patreon Fight for Abortion Rights Russia and Central Asia have a long, intertwined history that altered between coexistence and conflict. The Russians didn't … Continue reading Russian Colonialism in Central Asia 1860-1890

Episode 42-The Russian Civil War: Frunze vs the Basmachi 1920-1921

After disbanding the Musburo and overthrowing the Emirs of Khiva and Bukhara, Frunze has one more enemy to eliminate before communism can take hold in Central Asia: the Basmachi. Learn how Frunze created an counter-insurgency strategy against the Basmachi while dealing with mountain warfare, a ragtag army, and a region wracked with famine and sectarian … Continue reading Episode 42-The Russian Civil War: Frunze vs the Basmachi 1920-1921

Russian Civil War: Central Power POWs, Indian Revolutionaries, and British Agents, Oh My!

Intro Learn the fate of Central POWs in Turkestan, what Indian Revolutionaries were doing in Tashkent, and how the British attempted to continue their Great Game spy adventures during the Russian Civil War. After all can you really claim you discussed the Russian Civil War without dedicating at least one post to spies, revolutionaries, and … Continue reading Russian Civil War: Central Power POWs, Indian Revolutionaries, and British Agents, Oh My!

The Russian Civil War: Enter Mikhail Frunze and the Fall of the Last Emirs in Central Asia 1920-1921

Intro General Mikhail Frunze has arrived in Turkestan and identified the Musburo and the two Emirs of Khiva and Bukhara as threats to Communism. But can he win a war with the Emirs when facing an insurgency and famine? Support Me on Patreon Fight for Reproductive Justice Listen to our podcast episode From 1917 to … Continue reading The Russian Civil War: Enter Mikhail Frunze and the Fall of the Last Emirs in Central Asia 1920-1921

Episode 41-The Russian Civil War: Enter Mikhail Frunze and the Fall of the Last Emirs in Central Asia 1920-1921

General Mikhail Frunze has arrived in Turkestan and identified the Musburo and the two Emirs of Khiva and Bukhara as threats to Communism. But can he win a war with the Emirs when facing an insurgency and famine? If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Link to resources to Fight for Reproductive … Continue reading Episode 41-The Russian Civil War: Enter Mikhail Frunze and the Fall of the Last Emirs in Central Asia 1920-1921

Episode 40-Russian Civil War: Central Power POWs , Indian Revolutionaries, and British Agents, Oh My!

Join us as we discuss the fate of Central POWs in Turkestan, what Indian Revolutionaries were doing in Tashkent, and how the British attempted to continue their Great Game spy adventures during the Russian Civil War. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Transcript Stand with Ukraine Resource Page Help Trans People … Continue reading Episode 40-Russian Civil War: Central Power POWs , Indian Revolutionaries, and British Agents, Oh My!

Episode 38-Turar Risqulov: A Kazakh Revolutionary Leader

Turar Risqulov: mighty intellectual, leader of the Musburo, and a powerful Kazakh member of the Soviet Union. He was betrayed by the very ideology he supported, and executed along with others like him because their nationalistic legacy threatened an insecure Stalin. Learn about how he tried to save Turkestan during a Russian Civil War, his … Continue reading Episode 38-Turar Risqulov: A Kazakh Revolutionary Leader

Episode 37-the Russian Civil War the Musburo: Creating a Muslim Nationalist-Communist Cadre in Turkestan, 1919

Kobozev arrived in Turkestan in 1918 and tried to bring order to the region. Facing resistance from the Russian Settlers, he turned to the Muslim population and created different political and governmental opportunities for them. One such opportunity was the Central Bureau of Muslim Communist Organizations of Turkestan (the Musburo). However, when the Muslims start … Continue reading Episode 37-the Russian Civil War the Musburo: Creating a Muslim Nationalist-Communist Cadre in Turkestan, 1919

Episode 29-The Kokand Autonomy

In November 1917, the Muslim modernizers of Turkestan came together to create the Kokand Autonomy. But how can people with no governing experience govern a region racked by ethnic violence and famine while their neighbors, the Tashkent Soviet, are planning an all out assault? If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Donate … Continue reading Episode 29-The Kokand Autonomy

The Russian Revolution and the Khivan Khanate

Introduction What is a Khanate to do when his Russian supporters are overthrown by a revolution and he must now rely on a traitorous warlord to retain his throne? Read our article to learn about the Khivan Khanate during the Russian Revolution. Support Me on Patreon Support LGBTQ+ Organizations Stop Asian Hate Listen to our … Continue reading The Russian Revolution and the Khivan Khanate

The Basmachi

Introduction Famed but often misunderstood guerilla fighters, the Basmachi were an Islamic resistance force that targeted both the Bolsheviks and modernizing Islamic forces of Central Asia. This article provides a basic overview of their creation, organizational hierarchy, and talks about some of their most famous leaders. Support Me on Patreon Black Lives Matters Resources Support … Continue reading The Basmachi

The Russian Revolution and Central Asia-1917

Introduction Did you ever wonder how the Russian Revolution affected Central Asia? This episode discusses how the various political factions in Central Asia-the Jadids, Alash Orda, the Ulama, and the Russian Settlers-responded to the fall of the Tsar and the rise of the Bolsheviks. Support Me on Patreon Support LGBTQ+ Organizations Stop Asian Hate Listen … Continue reading The Russian Revolution and Central Asia-1917

The Russian Revolution and the Alash Orda-1917

Introduction The Russian Revolution provided the Kazakh intellectuals an opportunity to create their own government and redistribute land that had been taken from them by Russian settlers. But what sort of government can you create when you and your fellow indigenous intellectuals can't agree on the best way to rule and the Russian Civil War … Continue reading The Russian Revolution and the Alash Orda-1917

Book Review: Lost Enlightenment by S. Frederick Starr and Polymaths of Islam by James Pickett

Lost Enlightenment: Central Asia's Golden Age from the Arab Conquest to Tamerlane by S. Frederick Starr, published by Princeton University Press, 2013 Polymaths of Islam: Power and Networks of Knowledge in Central Asia by James Pickett, published by Cornell University Press, 2020 I enjoyed both books and would highly recommend them to anyone interested in … Continue reading Book Review: Lost Enlightenment by S. Frederick Starr and Polymaths of Islam by James Pickett

Episode 25-The Russian Revolution and Central Asia

Did you ever wonder how the Russian Revolution affected Central Asia? This episode discusses how the various political factions in Central Asia-the Jadids, Alash Orda, the Ulama, and the Russian Settlers-responded to the fall of the Tsar and the rise of the Bolsheviks. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon If you … Continue reading Episode 25-The Russian Revolution and Central Asia

History in 5ish Minutes 5 Tactics the Russians Used during the Central Asian Revolt of 1916

Today we take a deep dive into the tactics the Russians used to suppress the Central Asian Revolt of 1916, discussing the Urkun Exodus, the mass reallocation of Steppe lands, and Kuropatkin's decision to use an scorch earth strategy. Transcript coming If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi If you want to … Continue reading History in 5ish Minutes 5 Tactics the Russians Used during the Central Asian Revolt of 1916

History in 5ish Minutes: 5 Tactics the Kazakhs and Kyrgyz Peoples Used during the Central Asian Revolt of 1916

During this episode we revisit the Central Asian Revolt of 1916, this time focusing on the tactics used by the indigenous rebels, particularly the Kazakh and Kyrgyz peoples in the Steppe. We'll discuss their use of hit and run tactics, the advantages the Steppe provided, and their targeted assaults on major infrastructure. Transcript coming If … Continue reading History in 5ish Minutes: 5 Tactics the Kazakhs and Kyrgyz Peoples Used during the Central Asian Revolt of 1916

Episode 23-Interview with Dr. Adeeb Khalid

This is a very special episode as we discuss the Jadids with renowned scholar, Dr. Adeeb Khalid. The Jadids were an Islamic modernizing movement within Central Asia that would later find common cause with Bolsheviks and create modern day Uzbekistan. We'll be discussing who the Jadids were, their doctrinal development, and how they fit within … Continue reading Episode 23-Interview with Dr. Adeeb Khalid

History in 5ish Minutes: 5 Facts about the Tsarist Administration in Central Asia 1890-1916

5 facts about the Tsarist Administration in Central Asia 1890-1916 In this episode, we briefly discuss the Tsarist Administration in Central Asia, focusing on how the Russian administration created two societies one of the incoming Russian Settlers and one for the indigenous peoples. We also discuss the two biggest problems facing the Russian administration: land … Continue reading History in 5ish Minutes: 5 Facts about the Tsarist Administration in Central Asia 1890-1916

Episode 22-the Central Asian Revolt of 1916

In this episode we discussed the Central Asian Revolt of 1916. Sparked by decades old administrative issues, the Russian settler's "redistribution" of land and resources, and the Tsarist’s decision to conscription indigenous peoples (who up until that point that had been exemption of conscription), the revolution overtook most of Turkestan and lasted into 1917. In … Continue reading Episode 22-the Central Asian Revolt of 1916

History in 5ish Minutes: the 1898 Andijan Uprising

History in 5 Minutes: the 1898 Andijan Uprising In this episode, we discuss 5 facts abou the 1898 Andijan Uprising, discussing Madali Ishan's revolt against Russian colonialism in Central Asia and stoking paranoid Islamophobia. Transcript coming If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Ko-Fi If you want to receive updates on our projects, … Continue reading History in 5ish Minutes: the 1898 Andijan Uprising

Episode 21-Russian Colonialism in Central Asia 1860-1890

During this episode we will briefly discuss Russian colonialism in Central Asia from 1860-1890, focusing on the how and why. We'll discuss the subsuming of Steppe Lands, the abolishment of the Kokand Khanate, the subjugation of the Bukharan and Khivan khanates, and the attacks on the Turkmen people of the Ferghana Valley. Transcript If you … Continue reading Episode 21-Russian Colonialism in Central Asia 1860-1890

Episode 20-Interview with James Nagle

Today we have a very special episode where we spoke to James Nagle about what life was like for an average IRA recruit and a British soldier. If you enjoyed our big picture overview but want to dive deeper into what life was like for an IRA recruit on the run, a civilian having to … Continue reading Episode 20-Interview with James Nagle

The RICs, Auxiliaries, and the Black and Tans

During our podcast episodes on the Irish War for Independence, we focus on the IRA’s tactics and perspective. Today, we’ll be focusing on the British response and the different military and law enforcement groups they employed against the IRA and the Dail. England and the Home Rule Bill Up until 1916, the British government’s approach … Continue reading The RICs, Auxiliaries, and the Black and Tans