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History of Georgia

From prehistory to the 21st century

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Chapter 1: From the Beginning to the 4th Century AD

From the first hominids to the Christianization of Georgia

Prehistoric Georgia

The history of Georgia is a chronicle interwoven with the beginnings of mankind. Archaeological finds prove that the first hominids inhabited present-day Georgia as early as 1.8 million years ago.
The oldest remains of Homo erectus in Georgia were found in Dmanisi.

Zezva and Mzia, as these people are called in the literature, represent the oldest non-African humans. Early settlements from the Middle Paleolithic, the Acheulean, were found along coasts and rivers. An important site was Jashtchwa near Sochi, which was inhabited until the Neolithic.

Zezva and Mzia

Towards the end of the Acheulian, people began to settle in mountainous regions such as the Kudaro caves near Chasawali (1,600 m altitude), some of which were used until the Early Bronze Age. The hunters and gatherers used simple tools made of various stones such as andesite, jasper and basalt.

Obsidian was used as a material and fire was used for the first time. Due to the cooler climate, population density later decreased, but the Black Sea coast and the Rioni-Qwirila basin remained densely populated. New tools such as bows and arrows, as found in the Sakashia Cave near Kutaissi, were developed.

From 40,000 BC, the Cro-Magnon man appeared in the region during the Upper Palaeolithic. During the Mesolithic, higher-lying areas were resettled. In the Neolithic Age (8th to 5th millennium BC), agriculture, animal husbandry and ceramic production developed. The first settlements were characterised by wooden houses, especially in western Georgia, as in Aruchlo, one of the oldest known Neolithic settlements.

The population of the region continued to develop. From the 5th millennium BC, two important cultural centres emerged in the Caucasus: the Kura-Araxes culture and the Trialeti culture.

Kura-Araxes culture

The Kura-Araxes culture began in the 5th millennium BC and introduced metalworking to Georgia, especially in western Georgia. The Kura-Araxes culture emerged in the 4th millennium BC and brought agriculture with it. It is an important part of Georgian history. In Lower Kartlia, people began to use artificial irrigation and mainly grew millet, barley and wheat, and kept mainly cattle, but occasionally also sheep. Settlement remains such as Sagvardzile and others show clay houses.

In the Middle Bronze Age, in the 2nd millennium BC, the Trialeti culture emerged in eastern Georgia, which moved into the mountains, abandoned many Kura-Araxes settlements and possibly switched to cattle breeding under nomadic influences. In western Georgia, the Early Bronze Age culture with agriculture remained, but here too, cattle breeding increased. Horses have been known since the middle of the 2nd millennium and were used for economic and military purposes from the end of the millennium.

From the end of the 2nd millennium BC, the population increased and metallurgy and agriculture developed further. Tin was imported from Iran and Asia Minor. In the 1st millennium BC, iron processing began in Inner Kartlia, replacing bronze around 800 BC.

The Colchic culture spread to the west and influenced areas as far as eastern Anatolia, the northern Caucasus and inner Kartlia, with its predominantly wooden or stone buildings and agricultural base. Crafts such as textile production and pottery emerged, and their influence on the Greeks is reflected in the legend of the Argonauts. Eventually, the eastern Georgian culture replaced the Colchic culture.

First state formations

The first political entities in Georgia emerged in the 7th century BC: Diaochi and Kolcha. Both were associations of Georgian tribes and formed significant civilisations. Diaochi emerged in what is now southwest Georgia and parts of present-day Turkey. Unfortunately, little is known about this empire, but we have basic information from ancient manuscripts, first from Assyria and later from Urartu. Diaochi had to assert himself against the resistance of these countries.

A 12th-century Assyrian manuscript reports that King Tiglath-Pileser I defeated an association of 60 kings and pursued them to the Black Sea. However, the situation changed in the 9th century, when the new kingdom of Urartu emerged in the region. Although Diaochi and Assyria had previously been rivals, they decided to ally and fight together against Urartu. However, this alliance was not successful and first Assyria and then Diaochi were defeated by Urartu.

The end of the Diaochi came in the 8th century BC, when another empire, also formed from Georgian tribes, waged a final war against Colchis, thus bringing about its end.

It is fascinating that the Greek historian Xenophon mentions these areas in the 5th century BC and calls their inhabitants ‘Tauci’. The name ‘Tao’ has been preserved to this day and refers to the old Georgian area in Turkey.

Colchis

There is much more information about Colchis. This is because the Greeks had close relations with this empire from the second half of the 1st millennium BC and Greek historians and geographers have left a lot of interesting information about this area.

Colchis comprised the areas east of the Black Sea, the western part of present-day Georgia. It was a confederation of various Georgian tribes such as Machelons, Heniochs, Lazes, Mosinics, Apsils, Swans, etc.

Colchis was a significant state entity that flourished in the 8th century BC. A characteristic feature of this civilisation was its highly developed metalworking. Numerous finds of weapons and tools from the Bronze Age show that this was a very advanced civilisation.

But metalworking was not all that characterised this culture. The mild climate, the landscape and technological developments such as irrigation systems made agriculture and livestock farming possible.

This highly developed technological and agricultural development helped to make Colchis a powerful nation that maintained close economic and political relations with other countries in the ancient world, especially the Greeks. These founded numerous colonies along the Black Sea, with important trading centres and ports in Phasis, Dioskuria and Gienos. Other important settlements were Suriumi, Sairche (today Vani) and Dablagomi.

Argonatunen

The famous Greek saga of the Argonauts and the Golden Fleece is closely associated with Colchis and its king Aiet, who had his seat in the very prosperous city of Aia (many believe that Aia was located in the area of present-day Kutaisi). This saga is not only of literary value, but is also an important historical source for the history of Georgia. It describes the palace of the Colchian king Aiet and bears witness to the wealth and progress of this empire.

The fact that Colchis was a highly developed and prosperous civilisation is evidenced by numerous finds. One significant example is the Vani treasure, which contains valuable jewellery and other metal and ceramic works. This treasure is now kept in the State Museum of Tbilisi.

Colchis existed until the 1st century BC.

Iberia

The processes that led to the emergence of the first states in western Georgia also developed in the east of the country. Here there were always smaller territories that interacted with other Georgian tribes, but it took some time before they freed themselves from Persian influence and rose to become a great power.

In the 3rd century BC, under Pharnavas, Iberia, as the area was then called, managed to extend its influence to neighbouring areas and become a great power of its time. Iberia included areas such as Inner Kartli, Kakheti and South Georgia, as well as part of Western Georgia.

An important political event was Pharnavaz’s initiative to establish a political union with Western Georgia. This is considered the first unification of Georgia and the beginning of the unified Georgian empire.

Iberia lost power due to Roman and later Persian invasions and came under Persian and Roman influence from the 1st century BC. From the 1st century BC, it was under Persian and Roman influence and was a pawn between the two civilisations and great powers of the East and West, Persia and Rome (later Byzantium). Iberia had to make political decisions as to which civilisation it should belong to. The choice fell on the West, and with the Christianisation of the country, Iberia and later the whole country became firmly attached to Western culture.

Saint Nino and the Christianisation of the country

The Christianisation of the country marked a turning point in the history of Georgia. With the adoption of Christianity as the state religion, Kartli, also known as Eastern Georgia, clearly defined its political orientation and irrevocably connected itself with the Western world.

There are many assumptions about the exact date of the country’s Christianisation and the official date on which Christianity was declared the state religion. However, it is generally accepted that Georgia was Christianised around 337 CE. (In this case, ‘Georgia’ refers to Eastern Georgia or Kartli, which was a separate political territory and not a political entity with Western Georgia.

Mirian and Nana

At that time, King Mirian and his wife Nana ruled over the region of Kartli. They are important figures in the history of Georgia. The king and his wife Nana were the first to adopt this religion and were later canonised by the Georgian Church.

It was no easy task to spread this new religion throughout the country, as the pagan population and also the religious and political elites were against it. Even in the Middle Ages, there were areas in Georgia where Christianity was not represented or only weakly represented, especially in the mountainous regions.

Nevertheless, over the centuries, Christianity has become so deeply ingrained in the daily lives of Georgians that it has become an integral part of Georgia’s political, cultural and even ethnic identity. All of Georgian culture, history, architecture and art are strongly influenced by the Christian religion.

The Christianisation of Georgia is associated with the wonderful story of Saint Nino. She was a young woman who preached Christianity in Kartli and Christianised the country. It is a great exception in the history of Christianity for a woman to have Christianised a country. This story, which contains many legendary passages, is an important historical source and tells us a great deal about the political, economic and social situation in Georgia at that time.

Saint Nino

There are different versions of Saint Nino’s origin. According to one widespread view, she came from Cappadocia and her father was a general in the Roman army. She is even said to have been related to Saint George. Her mother, in turn, was related to the patriarch of Jerusalem. Nino thus came from a noble family and was an only child.

There is some dispute about how Nino came to Georgia. Some sources claim that she came to the country as a slave, but gained her freedom and began to spread the religion. However, the most widespread version says that she deliberately came to Kartli (Eastern Georgia) to preach the new religion. We will focus on this version here.

According to tradition, Nino had a vision in Rome. The Virgin Mary appeared to her and gave her a cross made of vines. Mary then told her to go to Iberia to proclaim the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the cross would give her the strength to do so.

Nino came from the south of the country over the mountains of the Lesser Caucasus to the region of Samtskhe–Javakheti, as it is called today. An old manuscript entitled ‘The Conversion of Kartli’ describes in some detail the route Nino took to the then capital of Kartli, Mtskheta. Many of the place names have not changed since then, so that her route can be reconstructed.

Nino in Mtskheta

Around 320, Nino reached Mtskheta, where King Mirian and Queen Nana ruled. Kartli or Iberia was a pagan country at that time, with the gods Armazi and Zaden.

After her work ‘The Conversion of Kartli’, Nino performed several miracles in Mtskheta. She cured numerous sick people, including Queen Nana. Nana was baptised, which displeased the king, and he even considered divorcing his wife.

But then another miracle occurred: King Mirian is said to have suddenly gone blind while out hunting in the year 322 and to have lost his way in the forest. In his desperation, he prayed to his wife’s gods for enlightenment. When he had finished his prayer, a light appeared that guided him back to Mtskheta. After this impressive experience, the king also gave up his resistance and was baptised a Christian.

Saint Nino then went to preach in Kakheti before finding her final resting place in a village called Bodbe. A church was built there, which later became a convent. This convent still exists today and is one of the most visited sites in Georgia.

The cross of Saint Nino

A special feature is the cross of Saint Nino, which can often be seen in Georgia. It differs from the classical cross in that the arms are slightly slanted rather than straight. It is said that when Saint Nino came to Georgia, she made a cross out of grapevine with her own braid. Since the vines were slanted, the unusual shape of the cross resulted, known as ‘Nino’s Cross,’ which is found only in Georgia.

* * *

Christianity flourished in the Caucasus and Georgia before the arrival of the Arabs. The arrival of the Arabs in the 7th century marked a dark period for Georgia. During this time, the Christian community and its culture were severely suppressed.

Chapter 2: Between the 5th and 15th Centuries

From Christianisation to Mongols

Arabs in Georgia

The period of Arab invasion and rule is one of the most difficult periods in the history of Georgia. The Arabs first attempted to conquer Georgia between 642 and 643, but these attempts were unsuccessful. It was only after their victory over Iran and Armenia that they succeeded in conquering Georgia after about ten years. This rule was short-lived, however, because after only two years the Georgians succeeded in briefly freeing themselves from Arab rule. In the 70s, however, Georgia was conquered again and remained under Arab control for a long time.

Arab rule was a very difficult time for the Georgians. The high and demanding taxes were particularly burdensome and represented an enormous burden for the Georgian population. It was particularly difficult for the Georgians to fight against the Arabs in various countries. For a small country like Georgia, this was a disaster. During this time, Byzantium was the Arabs’ greatest rival in the Caucasus. The Georgian princes and kings repeatedly tried to use this rivalry to ally themselves against the power of Byzantium.

Despite some successful uprisings against the Muslims in Georgia and also in Armenia, complete liberation was still a long way off. Towards the end of the 7th century, the Arabs managed to extend their influence to Western Georgia, but this was short-lived and they had to leave this area again. Their most important base was the capital Tbilisi, where they even minted their own currency for a time.

End of Arab rule

The end of Arab rule did not come until the 10th century, when the whole country gained its independence. However, Tbilisi remained under Arab control. But the independence did not last long, because after the Arabs, Turkish tribes invaded the country. The Turkish invasions weakened Georgia considerably. The central power lost control over the princes, which led to a fragmentation of the country. Economic, cultural and social development stagnated and the country was on the verge of collapse. This lasted until 1089, when the 16-year-old Davit, son of King Giorgi II, was crowned king. He later became known as Davit the Builder.

David the Fourth Builder-The Beginning of the Golden Age

David the Fourth, known as the Builder, is considered by most Georgians to be the greatest king of their country, and with good reason. He is one of the most important figures in Georgian history. During his reign, he transformed a dilapidated country into a great power. When his father, King Giorgi II, was forced to abdicate due to internal and external conflicts, 16-year-old Davit was named king. His inheritance was characterised by political turmoil.

Numerous incursions by the Turkish Seljuqs had devastated the country, driven the population into the mountains and left entire tracts of land deserted, which were settled by the Turks. The native population was threatened with extinction, while the nobility and princes opposed the central authority and collaborated with the Turks.

The young king’s authority was limited and barely extended beyond the Likhi Range in eastern Georgia. Nevertheless, he energetically set about rebuilding the country. He surrounded himself with loyal followers and implemented decisive reforms. Above all, he strengthened the army and the police. An intelligence service was established to provide the king with an accurate picture of the political landscape.

First successes of the reforms

Thanks to these reforms, David was able to achieve some minor victories against the Seljuqs after just a few years. Little by little, the Georgian army grew stronger and after a few years it managed to reconquer important territories. The liberation of cities such as Samshvilde, Rustavi and Gishi paved the way for the conquest of Tbilisi and thus all of eastern Georgia in 1122. This was of great political importance, as the central power had not been able to control Tbilisi for centuries.

Before David could take Tbilisi, he had to defeat a large Muslim coalition that had gathered near Tbilisi at Didgori in the summer of 1121. Although the Muslim army was numerically superior, David’s clever military tactics allowed him to completely defeat the coalition, effectively ending Turkish rule in Georgia. The Battle of Didgori is considered an outstanding example of great military tactics in the history of Georgia and is recognised worldwide.

Church reform

The path to success was not easy. The king had many opponents and enemies, including influential princely dynasties such as the Baghuashis and the Abuletisdzes, who cost a lot of time and blood before David was finally able to defeat them. The church also opposed the king, which led to a major church reform in which bishops or priests who opposed the central authority were replaced and punished, while honourable people took their place. The collection of Ruis-Urbnisi was an important step in improving the Georgian church. The church reform was an interesting event in the history of Georgia.

Establishment of Gelati

David was not only a great military strategist and a strong politician, but also a very educated person. A significant part of his reforms was devoted to education. He founded an academy in the monastery of Gelati in Kutaisi, which he had built. The Gelati Academy became an important scientific and educational centre in Georgia, attracting professors from various countries around the world.

The construction of the Gelati Monastery, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the founding of the Gelati Academy marked the beginning of a golden age for Georgia’s cultural and economic development under David IV.

The Golden Age and Queen Tamara

In 1184, Tamara, daughter of George II, ascended the Georgian throne. She had been co-regent since 1178. Under her rule, Georgia experienced a cultural, political and economic heyday. She initially had to assert herself against the resistance of the nobility. Although she initially yielded to their demands, she later cracked down on conspirators, an action that almost led to a civil war, which she managed to avert through diplomatic means. Nevertheless, the country remained internally weak.

The queen’s marriages

In 1185, Tamara married Giorgi Bogolyubsky, the former prince of Vladimir-Suzdal. Two years later, however, he was accused of sodomy and banished, whereupon the childless marriage was divorced. Georgia was attacked by Turkish troops from various directions, but was able to defend itself successfully. Under Tamar, the Georgians themselves advanced as far as Kari and Karnipor in the south and waged campaigns in Dvin, Persia, Gelakun and Ganja.

In 1188, she married David Zoslan, the son of the ruler of the Alans. In 1191, Yuri Bogolyubsky returned to regain his power, and Western Georgian princes joined him. However, the rebels were defeated at Getuni and Bogoljubskij was again exiled. After the birth of an heir to the throne in 1193, the Georgians undertook further military campaigns against Bardawi, Karnu, Qarqar and Gandja. In response, the Atabeg of Azerbaijan formed an alliance against Georgia, but in 1195 they were defeated in the Battle of Shamkor. Georgia conquered Shamkor, Ganja, Bidjnisi and Dvin. When Kari fell, the Sultan of Rum threatened Tamar with an invasion. But in 1203 the Georgians managed to beat the numerically superior army of Sultan Suleiman II.

The Empire of Trebizond

In 1204, the Georgians took advantage of the weakness of the Byzantine Empire, which had been conquered by the crusaders during the Fourth Crusade, and occupied territories south of the Black Sea. There they founded the Kingdom of Trebizond as Georgian vassals and placed the Comnene Alexios on the throne, who had previously fled to Georgia.

A few years later, an attack by the troops of the Emir of Ardabil on the area of Ani was repulsed and Ardabil occupied. In 1210, the Georgians undertook a major campaign in Persia, advancing as far as Gurgan and returning with rich booty.

There was also a bloodily suppressed revolt by the Pkhovans and Didoans, vassals in the northeastern mountains. Tamar’s rule ended in 1213 with her death at her summer residence Agara. At that time Shirvan, Alania, Aran, Northern Kashkad, Durdzukia, Didoya and Khundzia were Georgian vassals, while Azerbaijan, Ersinki and Erzerum paid tribute.

Cultural heyday

This period of Georgian history was not only a military one, but also a cultural and economic heyday for Georgia. Some of the country’s most important architectural masterpieces were created during this time. The most beautiful church icons and murals also originated during this period. A jewel of Georgian culture and architecture was Warzia, a cave city in southern Georgia that was completed under Tamar. This place became a symbol of the splendour and artistic richness of Georgian culture under her rule.

The famous epic ‘The Knight in the Panther’s Skin’ by Shota Rustaveli, considered the pinnacle of Georgian literature, dates from this period. This work is an outstanding example of the rich narrative tradition and artistic brilliance that emerged during Tamar’s reign and in this golden age of Georgian history. It remains an important symbol of the country’s literary wealth to this day.

Among the numerous ballads and folk songs dedicated to the legend of Tamara, we would like to present a particularly impressive song from Svaneti. This song tells of the queen’s arrival in Svaneti, describes her wardrobe and the appearance of her horse. It is not only an artistic work, but also a valuable historical source that provides insights into the time and the significance of Tamara in folklore and history.

The Death of the Queen and the End of the Golden Age

In 1213, Tamara died at her summer residence of Agara. She was the beloved queen of Georgia, surrounded by legends and veneration. It is one of the curiosities of Georgian history that the location of her tomb is still unknown today.

After Tamara’s death, her son Lascha-Giori became King of Georgia. Shortly afterwards, the Mongols invaded Georgia and ended the highly developed civilisation and thus also the Golden Age. The Mongols’ more than 100-year rule had devastating consequences for the country.

It was only in the 14th century that the Georgians under George the Fifth were able to free the country from Mongolian rule and reunify it. George the Fifth was a strong politician and clever diplomat and was the last king of unified Georgia. After his death, the country disintegrated into various kingdoms and principalities that were constantly fighting each other.

Chapter 3: Between the 16th and 21st Centuries

Russification and liberation of the country

Russification of the country in the 19th century

The late Middle Ages are not characterised by any significant events in the history of Georgia. It was a time of conflicts and wars between the small kingdoms and principalities, as well as the Iranian and Ottoman invasions. This situation lasted until the beginning of the 19th century, when the Russian Empire abolished the statehood of Georgia in the eastern part in 1801 and in the western part in 1812, which in fact amounted to a conquest and incorporation into the southern territory of the Russian Empire.

Treaty of Georgia

Before this event, King Erekle II, who was looking for a political and military partner against the Muslim world, had to sign a treaty with Russia. This Treaty of Georgievsk, signed in 1783 in the North Caucasian city of the same name, stipulated that Russia would provide military assistance to Georgia and not interfere in its domestic affairs. This marked the beginning of one of the most difficult periods in the history of Georgia.

Unfortunately, the Russian government did not fulfil the terms of the treaty and did not provide assistance to Georgia. Only 18 years after the treaty, when Georgia was weakened by several Persian invasions, Russia formally annexed the kingdom of Kakheti in the eastern part of Georgia and made it part of its empire. From that point on, the eastern Georgian kingdom ceased to exist.

Similar processes also took place in western Georgia, where principalities and kingdoms were gradually conquered, so that in the course of the 1820s the entire territory of the country became part of the Russian Empire as the provinces of East and West Georgia.

The abolition of the Georgian Church

Tsarist policy was not limited to the abolition of statehood, but also suppressed the ecclesiastical independence of Georgia. The Georgian Church, which had existed for almost 1500 years and was one of the oldest in the world, was subordinated to the Russian Church. The masses were held in Russian, which was not understood by the population.

Access to the church treasures enabled Russian bishops and priests to steal valuable objects. Many old churches with unique paintings were painted over, thus erasing Georgian traces, such as the church of Ananuri Castle.

The harsh Russian rule, which was referred to in literature as ‘the strict, hard and heavy Russian boots’, was perceived by the population as a burden, and there were numerous uprisings against Russia. All uprisings were bloodily suppressed for various reasons.

A particularly well-known example is the assassination of a prominent Georgian figure, Dimitri Kipiani, in exile, which resonated throughout Georgia and strengthened the fight against the occupiers.

Fight against the Russian occupation

This fight also had an ideological dimension, which was particularly active in the second half of the century. During this period, a new generation entered the political and social stage. These young people were born and raised under Russian rule and had experienced everything. Since Georgia was part of the empire and access to European countries was restricted, most of them received their education in St. Petersburg. This generation was nicknamed ‘Tergdaleulebi’ (literally: those who drank from the Tergi River – the Tergi River flows from the Caucasus into Russia and was a route into Russia). The term ‘Tergdaleuli’ included all those who were educated in Russia and then active in Georgian politics and society.

Tergdaleulebi

Under the unofficial leadership of Ilia Chavchavadze, an outstanding representative of this generation, they began to fight energetically for the liberation of the country in various areas of life. Other well-known representatives of this movement were Akaki Tsereteli, Iakob Gogebashvili, Niko Nikoladze etc. Thanks to their efforts, many Georgian newspapers and magazines were founded, important literary works were created and numerous elementary schools were established where even poor children received free education.

Education and the Georgian press were very important because the Georgian language was so suppressed by Russian politics that it was considered the language of the lower classes. All this helped to awaken the suppressed Georgian nationalist soul. This generation played a major role in the history of Georgia.

These efforts later formed the basis for the founding of the first Georgian Republic. Thanks to the work of the ‘Tergdaleulebi’, a generation later emerged that had a rich intellectual and spiritual potential to revive the state that had been abolished by Russia and to create a very progressive constitution for the time.

However, this successful activity was inconvenient for the newly emerged socialists, and the fight against them became increasingly bitter. The assassination of Ilia Chavchavadze by Georgian socialists in 1907 marked the end of the era of the ‘Tergdaleulebi’ and the beginning of a strong socialist movement.

Socialist revolution and formation of the first Georgian Republic

At the beginning of the 20th century, revolutionary movements were widespread throughout the Tsarist Empire, including Georgia. Marxist ideas found many supporters here, especially among young people, who saw them as a step forward for humanity and fought enthusiastically against tsarism. One of them was Joseph Dzhughashvili, a student at the Holy Seminary and son of a poor cobbler from Gori in Kartli, who later became known as Stalin.

The activities of these young people weakened the power of the tsar. After fierce and bloody confrontations, the Bolsheviks managed to take power as early as 1917. These political events in the Russian Empire were marked by bloody confrontations and resistance and even led to a civil war in Russia. The difficult political situation in the entire empire was used by the peoples conquered by the tsars to free themselves.

The first Georgian Republic

The establishment of the Republic was of great importance for the history of Georgia. The Georgian political elite took the opportunity and declared the country’s independence on 26 May 1918. Other neighbouring countries such as Armenia and Azerbaijan did the same and gained their independence. The new Georgian Republic had a difficult start. A difficult social and economic situation, as well as domestic political and social unrest caused by the Bolsheviks living in the country, hindered the implementation of reforms. In addition, there were minor and major military conflicts with neighbouring states or separatists.

Despite all these difficulties, the young republic managed to gain worldwide recognition (including in Bolshevik Russia) thanks to the good work of its enthusiastic and talented politicians. Germany was a reliable partner in overcoming internal and external problems and proved to be a good friend and supporter.

One outstanding event of the first republic in Georgia was the adoption of the first Georgian constitution. This constitution was of great political significance as it later served as the legal basis for liberation from Soviet rule. It was a very progressive piece of legislation and included such ideas as universal suffrage, gender equality, religious freedom, minority rights and other human rights provisions. The first Republic’s parliament was the first in the world to have a Muslim woman elected as a member.

The constitution took about three years to draft and came into force on 21 February 1921. Unfortunately, the constitution was only able to remain in force for four days, because on 25 February, the Red Army marched into Tbilisi, despite strong military resistance from the young Georgian army, and the country was again annexed by Russia, this time by the Bolsheviks. This marked the beginning of the bloody red era in Georgia.

Communist Georgia and its liberation again

The first years of the conquest were hard. The communists immediately began repressive measures. But when Stalin travelled to Georgia and spoke in Tbilisi, his speech was not well received by the population and the audience, leading to fierce criticism of the Soviet power and its leader. This was the beginning of a bloody wave.

Shortly afterwards, the arrests of well-known politicians, officers and generals who sympathised with the First Republic or opposed the Soviet occupation began. But not only politicians were affected, but also ordinary people. Many farmers and others were murdered. In western Georgia, in Guria to be precise, teachers from different villages were even shot.

This situation could not continue and uprisings against the communist government occurred. In 1921 and 1924, the Georgians tried to overthrow the red rulers, but both uprisings failed and were bloodily suppressed.

After the failure of the uprisings, the government began to implement reforms. The first of these was an economic reform that provided for the formation of kolkhozes. This reform was not easy either, as it involved the expropriation of the private property of the population. Naturally, the population resisted it, and the state enforced it with great repression. This has left its mark on the history of Georgia.

The reforms also saw the development of a new concept of the ‘Soviet man’, with a completely different mentality and way of thinking. This man was not supposed to belong to any nationality and was only supposed to follow one ideology – Marxism and Communism. The propaganda of this ideology was spread in all artistic fields, be it art, film, literature or painting.

Repression in the 1930s

The biggest wave of repression hit Georgia in the 1930s. This period of Georgian history is characterised by numerous arrests, banishments and murders. At that time, the majority of the population, including those who had previously supported the Communists, realised that Marxist and Communist ideas were utopian and made it impossible to live. This view gradually spread among the political elite as well, which posed a threat to the Communist Party.

Stalin and his supporters decided to carry out a ‘political cleansing’. The Red Terror gripped the whole country, all social classes and areas of life. The aim was to instil fear in the population. Thousands of ordinary citizens were arrested, exiled or simply shot. Most of them had nothing to do with politics and did not even know why they were arrested. Even former revolutionaries and active members of the Communist Party fell victim to the terror.

Repercussions of the repression

The loss of the country’s intellectual elite as a result of the repression was particularly dramatic for Georgia. The best poets, artists, painters, writers, composers, actors and directors fell victim to the repression. The situation was so depressing that a well-known Georgian poet committed suicide in protest against the official collection of poets and writers.

In 1937-1938, 29,051 people in Georgia officially fell victim to the repressions, of whom 14,372 were shot and the rest were exiled. However, it is assumed that the actual number of victims in Georgia was higher.

The Second World War was also a difficult time for Georgia. As part of the Soviet Union, many Georgians went to war. According to official figures, a total of 700,000 people fought, of whom 300,000 lost their lives.

The post-war period and the following decades, especially the 1970s and 1980s, were characterised by corruption, lies and totalitarianism in all areas of social life. There was hardly any legal system, action was highly regulated, there was no private property and no private enterprise. All this contributed to the disintegration of the Soviet Union in the 1990s.

Break-up of the Union

A new era in the history of Georgia began with the break-up of the Union. This was just as violent as its founding. On 9 May 1989, a peaceful demonstration against the Soviet Union on Rustaveli Avenue in front of the parliament building was attacked by the army, leaving several dead and injured.

Two years after this event, Georgia declared its independence once again and, under the leadership of Zviad Gamsakhurdia, one of the main figures of the national movement alongside Merab Kostava, became an independent country after 70 years of Soviet captivity.

The price of freedom was high. The new Georgia was confronted with many problems and difficulties. Above all, the poor economic and social situation led to an increase in crime, which the police in post-Soviet Georgia could hardly counteract.

A civil war followed, which almost completely destroyed Tbilisi. The separatist wars in Abkhazia and South Ossetia also strained the country. With Russian support, extensive ethnic cleansing was carried out in both regions. Many Georgians were forced to flee their homes and flee to other parts of the country. The result was more than 300,000 refugees and homeless people.

Despite all these problems, Georgia managed to implement important reforms and quickly gained international recognition. These reforms were pursued particularly vigorously under President Mikheil Saakashvili, who came to power in 2003 after the ‘Rose Revolution’.

Rose Revolution and reforms

The ‘Rose Revolution’ was a political event in 2003 when the National Movement political party came to power through an unarmed revolution. The young, US-educated lawyer and politician Mikheil Saakashvili was the mastermind and main protagonist of this event. The revolution forced the then President Eduard Shevardnadze to resign, his government was declared incapable.

The National Movement won an absolute majority in the next elections and a new chapter in the history of Georgia began. The first years of the National Movement’s rule were marked by energetic reforms. The police, the education system and the army were the first targets of the reform agenda, which immediately showed positive results. The crime rate fell, and corruption and bribery were tackled at the universities. Numerous infrastructure projects, especially in road construction, were implemented. Georgia declared a clear orientation towards the West. Thanks to these reforms, Georgia was described by the Western world as a ‘beacon of democracy’.

Of course, there were also many mistakes along the path to reform, in particular human rights violations by the Saakashvili government, which ultimately led to ongoing protests against his government.

In addition, a seven-day conflict in South Ossetia escalated in 2008. With Russian military and ideological support, the separatists captured further parts of the country, once again carrying out ethnic cleansing and leaving Georgia with even more refugees.

Dissatisfaction grew and in the next elections in 2012, the party lost its majority. A political coalition led by the ‘Georgian Dream’ came to power. This party was founded by the Georgian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, who had made his fortune in Russia in the 1990s.

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