English-language researchers of the 20th century about the events in the North Caucasus in 1917-1921

The period from 1917 to 1921 occupies a special place in the history of the North Caucasus. But, despite the fact that the revolutions of 1917 in Russia and their consequences attracted and continue to attract the attention of both native and foreign historians, there were gaps in foreign literature in the border areas of Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. The aim of the article is to provide an overview and analysis of the works of English-language authors of the 20th century on the subject, their introduction into scholarly use to present a broader and more productive view of the problem. The study was based on the works of the 20th century foreign (Anglophone) researchers, translated by the author of the article. The main scientific methods used in the article were: the method of description, synthesis, analysis, principle of objectivity, etc. The article shows that in the first works of English-language authors material about the events in the North Caucasus was found among memoirs, descriptions of campaigns and military events recorded by military leaders, eyewitnesses and contemporaries of the period. Their attention was attracted by the troops of L. Bicherakhov and A.I. Denikin, actions in the North Caucasus, “ghost governments”, etc. By the middle of the 20th century and in the following years, monographic studies began to appear, in which, along with the study of events in the Transcaucasus (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia), one can also single out material on the North Caucasus. Researchers began to draw on more extensive material, mainly from foreign archives and libraries that had Soviet material. With the collapse of the USSR, interest in the Caucasus increased, and researchers turned to the past of the region to study the processes taking place at the present stage. The works of Anglophone authors provide an opportunity to comprehend the historical background of the peoples of the North Caucasus related to the history of Russia as a whole from the point of view of foreign researchers. Their works contain conclusions about the influence of the events of 1917-1921 in the North Caucasus on changes in the military and political situation in the Caucasus and South Russia. But some of them miss moments associated with the intervention of foreign powers. Nevertheless, the materials of Anglophone researchers significantly complement the history of the period of the Civil War and intervention in the North Caucasus, represent the view of foreign authors.

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