The Crimean Tatars: From Soviet Genocide to Putin's Conquest

by Brian Glyn Williams

The Russian annexation of the Crimea in March 2014 focused the world's attention on the Peninsula in ways not seen since the Crimean War. Thousands of Crimean Tatars clashed with pro-Russian militiamen in Simferopol, while Moscow has in turn stoked fears of jihadi terrorism among the overwhelmingly Muslim Tatars as retrospective justification for its invasion. The key thread in this book is the Crimean Tatars' changing relationship with their Vatan (homeland) and how this interaction with their natal territory changed under the Ottoman Sultans, Russian Tsars, Soviet Commissars, post-Soviet Ukrainian authorities and now Putin's Russia. Taking as its starting point the 1783 Russian conquest of the independent Tatar state known as the Crimean Khanate, Williams explains how the peninsula's native population, with ethnic roots among the Goths, Kipchak Turks and Mongols, was scattered across the Ottoman Empire. He also traces their later emigration and the radical transformation of this conservative tribal-religious group into a modern, politically mobilized, secular nation under Soviet rule.Stalin's genocidal deportation of the Crimean Tatars in 1944 to Uzbekistan and their almost messianic return to their cherished "Green Isle" in the 1990s are examined in detail, while the author's archival investigations are bolstered by his field research among the Crimean Tatar exiles in Uzbekistan and in their samozakhvat (self-seized) squatter camps and settlements in the Crimea.

Genres: History, Ukraine, Nonfiction, Russia, Russian History, Historical

320 pages, Paperback

First published December 8, 2015

Reviews

[Paulo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was aware about just the history of Volga tatars , and facing the reality of the Crimean tatars impressed me a lot.
Such a resilient and focused nation , that struggled for more than two centuries in order not to lose their identity.
The descriptions of the peninsula and its diferent regions , as the diferent tatar dwellers of which one , was very interesting.
The title brings such a provocation mentioning "Soviet´s genocide " and Putin´s conquest , but these truths must be said and never forgotten.

[Diana Ishaqat · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best history books I came across this year. Eloquent narration and sequence, and respectful to the neighboring nations and the synergies the Tatar history bears with them. The bond between the Crimean Tatars and their land is just tale-like. One cannot but respect all these attempts and journeys towards home. I learned a lot.

[The Contented · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as the backstory to Guzel Yakhina’s excellent novel ‘Zuleikha’. Although I initially wondered why my first choice of Christmas vacation reading was so academic, I am glad I picked this up. An eye opener and a very necessary read, especially in light of the Russian annexation of Crimea.

The could-be-better editing with the Hijra/ Hajj confusion is forgiven.

Do read this!

[Haludek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deep and comprehensive look into the history and tragedy of a nation, however somewhat spoiled by deeply misinformed remarks and unsubstantiated comparisons to "Palestinians", whose history, motivations and degree of connection to the land they claim to be theirs, can't be more remote than that of Crimean Tatars.