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

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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

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

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

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

Episode 44 – The Russian Civil War: Abdurauf Fitrat

Learn about Abdurauf Fitrat, a giant in Central Asian literature and a statesman who played a key role in creating the modern state of Uzbekistan and its language. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Transcript episode-44-e28093-the-russian-civil-war-abdurauf-fitratDownload References Making Uzbekistan: Nation, Empire, and Revolution in the Early USSR by Adeeb Khalid Reviewed … Continue reading Episode 44 – The Russian Civil War: Abdurauf Fitrat

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 Transcript history-in-5ish-minutes-5-tactics-frunze-used-against-the-basmachiDownload Resources “The Basmachi or Freemen’s Revolt in Turkestan 1918-1924 by Martha B. Olcott “Revolution in the Borderlands: The Case of Central Asia … Continue reading History in 5ish Minutes: Frunze’s Strategy Against the Basmachi

Episode 43-The Russian Civil War: Enver Pasha and the Basmachi

What happens when a former Ottoman Pasha, sentenced to death in absentia finds himself in Central Asia? If you're Enver Pasha, you first align with the Bolsheviks before jumping ship and joining the Basmachi. Learn how Enver led the Basmachi until his death in a small village in eastern Bukhara. If you enjoyed this episode, … Continue reading Episode 43-The Russian Civil War: Enver Pasha and the Basmachi

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

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 39-Russian Civil War: The Basmachi Organize in the Ferghana 1918-1920

The Basmachi are facing famine, growing Red Army forces, and an uneasy alliance between the Bolsheviks and modernizing Muslim reformers. It's time to organize or die. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Organizations that will help you run for office: Run for Something Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Democratic Association of Secretaries … Continue reading Episode 39-Russian Civil War: The Basmachi Organize in the Ferghana 1918-1920

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 36-the Russian Civil War: The Struggle for Kazakh Autonomy in 1919

The Alash Orda can no longer trust the White Movement, but they burnt their bridges with the Bolsheviks back in 1918. As the Red Armies sweep the White Army out of Siberia, the Alash Orda have to repair their relationship with the Bolsheviks or become powerless and irrelevant. But why should the Bolsheviks accept the … Continue reading Episode 36-the Russian Civil War: The Struggle for Kazakh Autonomy in 1919

Episode 35-the Russian Civil War: Turkestan and Bolshevim

The Jadids are chased out of Kokand, Khiva, and Bukhara and they are outnumbered and outmaneuvered by their enemies: the Russian settlers, the Ulama, and the Basmachi. Their best hope lies with the Bolsheviks who need Turkestan to spread communism into the rest of Asia and Turkestan's resources. But can a Islamic, nationalist, modernizing movement … Continue reading Episode 35-the Russian Civil War: Turkestan and Bolshevim

Episode 34- Giants of Alash Orda: Alikhan Bukeikhanov and Akhmet Baitursynov

Join us as we discuss two giants of Alash Orda and fathers of modern Kazakhstan: Alikhan Bukeikhanov and Akhmet Baitursynov. Indivisible's Give Ground Campaign Indivisible's Build Back Better Campaign Borderless Magazine Article on Increasing Vaccine Access in Prisons and ICE Detention Centers If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Transcript episode-34-giants-of-the-alash-orda-bukeikhanov-and-baitursynovDownload References … Continue reading Episode 34- Giants of Alash Orda: Alikhan Bukeikhanov and Akhmet Baitursynov

Episode 33-the Russian Civil War: the Alash Orda and the White Army

After negotiations with the Bolsheviks stall, the Alash Orda turn to the White Movement in Siberia. What they find are endless political factions, Cossacks, numerous battles with the Red Army, and a White Army coup. Help Afghanistan Page Support the victims the Haitian Earthquake and Hurricane Ida Stand Up for Abortion Rights If you enjoyed … Continue reading Episode 33-the Russian Civil War: the Alash Orda and the White Army

Episode 32-the Russian Civil War: the Alash Orda and the Bolsheviks

The Russian Civil War knocks on the door of Siberia and the Steppe. The newly created Alash Autonomy must decide who they will ally with: the Bolsheviks or the White Army. Attracted by Bolshevik rhetoric, the Alash Orda start negotiates with the Soviets, but quickly learn that they have two, conflicting definitions of "self-determination" Help … Continue reading Episode 32-the Russian Civil War: the Alash Orda and the Bolsheviks

Episode 31-Kolesov Bukharan Campaign or How not to Invade Bukhara

The Tashkent Soviet just overthrew the Kokand Autonomy and now they rule Turkestan which is being threatened from all directions by famine, the Red and White Armies, the Basmachi, and violent tensions between the Russian Settlers and the indigenous peoples. So, obviously, the bests thing to do is invade their name the Bukharan Khanate. If … Continue reading Episode 31-Kolesov Bukharan Campaign or How not to Invade Bukhara

Episode 30-Mustafa Cho’qoy “Imperialist Bogeyman from Turkestan

Mustafa Cho'qoy activist, minister, refugee, and Bolshevik enemy #1. Learn how a Kazakh activist went from being a minister in Turkestan's first all Muslim, autonomous government to isolated expat in Paris struggling to get Europe to care about the plight of his people and Turkestan bogeyman that haunted Bolshevik dreams. If you enjoyed this episode, … Continue reading Episode 30-Mustafa Cho’qoy “Imperialist Bogeyman from Turkestan

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

Episode 28-The Basmachi

Famine, civil wars, complete breakdown of authority-it only makes sense to join a guerilla movement that promises provisions and safety, right? Learn about the Basmachi, a group of warlords turned guerilla movement that became one of the Soviet's most persistent headaches in Central Asia during the 1920s and 30s. If you enjoyed this episode, please … Continue reading Episode 28-The Basmachi

History in 5ish Minutes: Fathers of the Jadids in Turkestan

In this episode we discuss two giants within the Jadid movement in Turkestan: Munavvar qori Abdurashidxon and Mahmudxo’ja Behbudiy. Both men came from religious families, both men were successful merchants, and both men believed that reform was the only way to save Turkestani society. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Transcript … Continue reading History in 5ish Minutes: Fathers of the Jadids in Turkestan

Episode 27-the Russian Revolution and the Alash Orda

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 is … Continue reading Episode 27-the Russian Revolution and the Alash Orda

Episode 26: The Russian Revolution and the Khiva Khanate

Today we are discussing how Russia's second protectorate, the Khiva Khanate, reacted to the fall of the Romanov Dynasty. We'll discuss Turkmen Revolts, a desperate Khan clinging to power, and a coup. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon If you want to receive updates on our projects, join our newsletter A … Continue reading Episode 26: The Russian Revolution and the Khiva Khanate

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 Qazaq 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. If you enjoyed … Continue reading History in 5ish Minutes: 5 Tactics the Qazaq 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 19-A BRIEF History of Central Asia

It’s season 2 of the Art of Asymmetrical Warfare! This season we’ll be discussing the Central Asian Civil Wars during the Russian Civil War. Today, we’re starting with a BRIEF history of Central Asia. In this episode we’ll explain how this podcast defines Central Asia, give a very brief overview of Central Asia’s ancient and … Continue reading Episode 19-A BRIEF History of Central Asia