The Contested Territory of the Russian Empire and the USSR: An Analysis of Internal and External Entities

The dissolution of the Russian Empire in 1917 and the subsequent formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) brought about significant changes to the territorial landscape. This article delves into the process by which certain regions such as Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Belarus were delineated as external entities, while others like Yakutia, Chechnya, and Dagestan were made internal entities of Russia.

Criteria for Full Republic Status in the USSR

The USSR had established certain criteria for what constituted a full Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR). One of these criteria was that a republic had to have an international border. This requirement meant that a region could not be merely an enclave surrounded by another SSR. This distinction was crucial as it determined whether a region would be integrated internally or remain an external, independent entity within the broader framework of the USSR.

The Russian Empire and the Bolshevik Revolution

The Russian Empire ceased to exist in 1917, marked by the Bolshevik Revolution. In the aftermath, multiple political forces vied for control over the various territories. This period was characterized by a struggle between different political factions, each with their own armies and ideologies. Notably, a significant number of independent states were declared on the former territory of the empire, often with rival states contesting the same regions. Among these newly declared states was Soviet Russia, which was not considered a successor to the Russian Empire but a distinct and revolutionary entity with different borders and goals.

The Formation of the USSR in 1922

By 1922, the situation had evolved considerably. Some of the newly declared states no longer existed, having either been defeated by Communist rivals or having established their independence. Territories where the Communists were victorious remained under their control. However, the pre-1917 boundaries were not preserved. Instead, a series of regional conflicts led to the redrawing of borders, as the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, consolidated their control over the territories they could directly manage by the end of the Civil War.

Following the Civil War, the territories controlled by Lenin’s government, which included regions like Soviet Russia, came together to form the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). This was a new political entity with a different geographic and political structure, distinct from the Russian Empire that had preceded it. Anti-communist states that had emerged during the transition period remained independent.

Internal and External Entities of the USSR

The decision to classify certain regions as internal or external entities within the USSR was not straightforward. For instance, areas like Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Belarus had significant autonomy within the USSR framework but remained distinct from Soviet Russia, which was more directly integrated into the Russian Federation. On the other hand, regions such as Yakutia, Chechnya, and Dagestan were more integrated into Soviet Russia, reflecting the geopolitical and ideological goals of the Bolshevik regime.

The delineation of these entities was based on a combination of historical, political, and strategic factors. Territories that had clear international borders were more likely to be designated as full republics within the USSR, with a degree of autonomy and power. This was a complex process that involved power struggles, ideological debates, and geopolitical considerations.

Conclusion

The transition from the Russian Empire to the USSR was marked by significant territorial and political changes. The USSR established its own criteria for full republic status, leading to a differentiation between internal and external entities. This decision was influenced by geopolitical considerations, historical contexts, and the ideological goals of the Bolshevik regime.

Understanding the dynamics of these transitions provides insight into the complex nature of political and territorial changes during this period. The legacy of these decisions continues to shape the geopolitical landscape of post-Soviet states today.