THE PARTICIPATION OF THE “MILLI ITTIHOD” (“NATIONAL UNION”) SOCIETY IN THE LIBERATION STRUGGLE AGAINST THE SOVIETS

Abstract

The 1920s became a significant stage in the history of Turkestan’s liberation movement. On the one hand, during this period, national leaders operating within the framework of the Turkestan ASSR were developing various projects aimed at achieving independence and sought approval from the “Center.” On the other hand, following the bloody suppression of the Turkestan autonomy, the independence movement entered a new phase and spread throughout the entire region. The “Milli Ittihod” (“National Union”) society, which united members of the intelligentsia, had a considerable impact on the liberation struggle conducted in both of these directions. One of the main goals of the society was to unite the kurbashi (field commanders) under a single command and to form a national army with the aim of liberating Turkestan from Soviet rule — an idea that is explored in this article. The article analyzes the reasons that motivated the “Milliy Ittihod” society to participate in the fight for independence, as well as the forms and methods of struggle it adopted.