Alex King                                           Asia

                Russian conquest into central Asia was a centuries long process of colonial expansion by the soviets.  Expanding their empire, the soviets pursued socialist social structuring within the conquered territories.  Traditional ways of life were cast aside to make way for a social structure that was in accordance with the soviet standards.  Land was considered to be owned by the state and collectivization of agricultural goods took place.  Centuries of tradition and social structures were cast aside by the expanding russian empire.  Assimilation seemed to be the main goal of the Russian empire as it expanded its boarders into central Asia.  Muslims were incorporated into the empire, unlike the empires of Europe where they were cast aside and forbidden to become members of the colonial society. 

            Collectivization of resources and production was the key policy of the Russian conquest of Central Asia.  Land was taken away from traditional owners and reallocated into collective farms.  Nomads were considered useless as they did not produce an adequate amount of food or other resources.  In an effort to make their use of the land more efficient the Russians restricted grazing access and took away individual ownership of livestock.  Now with collective herds there would be no more nomads roaming the countryside.  These polices violated the traditional ways of life that were well established within Central Asia.  Social structures that had been in place were dismantled and replaced with a political ideology.  Government control was ridged in an area with little or no previous government rule.  Many of the traditional inhabitants of these regions were not pleased with the new regime that was now in control.  Shortly after World War II an uprising took place in hopes of dislodging the firm grip that Russia had on Central Asia. 

            In 1918 regional leaders organized troops and rebelled against the oppressive soviet control they were under.  Regional armies were organized and battles against the Bolshevik military ensued.  This period of time was know as the Basmachi movement.  It was a relatively unorganized movement against the expanding Russian empire.  Many regional forces were mobilized but no central command or goal was ever established.  Guerilla warfare was adopted and regional clans took up arms against the red army.  Leaders of these guerilla factions were local and regional leaders who represented the specific views of their traditional regions.  Clan chiefs, bandits who had large followings, religious leaders, and political leaders lead the insurgency against their oppressors.  The movement grew and more followers and guerilla factions were found.  Unfortunately for the basmachis there was never a homogenous alliance between the rebelling clans.  Many clans fought against each other while fighting the soviets.  This allowed the soviets to divide the rebelling forces and even to turn them on each other.

            Possessing superior technology and military supremacy ensured the soviets of victory against the basmachis.  Since there was no central power or ideology held by the rebels there was no allegiance between them.  Often times rebel factions held as much content for other factions as they did against the soviets.  Realizing these circumstances early on the soviets were able to turn the guerillas upon one another and even attain the allegiance of a few rebel factions.  Traditional ways of life for the indigenous peoples of central Asia involved territories and clan relations.  These clans were often rivals for land an resources.  Centuries old rivalries between clans resulted in a lack of organization for the uprising that took place. 

            After thirteen years of warfare the Bolsheviks finally subdued the insurgency that took place.  Military dominance was the primary tactic taken by the red army during this revolution.  Some peace treaties were established with stronger revolting clans but little political severity was granted.  Accepting the Muslim religion into the soviet empire was essential for the dissolving of this revolution.  Many of the revolting clans fought under the name of Islam with the mission of preserving their Muslim heritage.  However the true reason for the uprising was the need to retain the traditional clan way of life and to protect the social identities that the inhabitants of central Asia held.  Social identification was the heart of this matter and the basmachis felt a need to retain their basic social heritage.  This need to retain the clan way of life can also explain the inhomogeneous battle against the soviets.  If these groups were fighting to preserve their Muslim religion and identity there would have been a central ideology and allegiance amongst the clans.  However the division of clans within the insurgency shows that the true issue behind the struggle was the preservation of the traditional ways of life these people had been robbed of. 

            Roy offers an argument supporting the theory of tribal and clan preservation being the cause of the rebellion.  This is fairly evident due to the acceptance of Muslims by the Russians.  Currently there is still clan divisions in central Asia which are similar the divisions experienced during the basmachis revolution.  Many older peasants still refer to the war as a turning point in their social history. These clan rivalries are still preasent in modern day Afghanistan where tribal warlords carry on the same traditional disputes their ancestors fought over.