Late Soviet national movements and unrest in the Caucasus (1953–1991)

1. Stalin dies, uncertainty spreads across the USSR

   Mar 5, 1953Labels: Joseph Stalin, USSR, Caucasus

   • Britannica
   • Stalin Death

2. Khrushchev’s “Secret Speech” accelerates de-Stalinization

   Feb 25, 1956Labels: Nikita Khrushchev, Secret Speech, De-Stalinization

   • Britannica
   • Secret Speech

3. Tbilisi demonstrations end in deadly Soviet crackdown

   Mar 4, 1956Labels: Tbilisi protests, Georgian demonstrators, Soviet forces

   • 1956 Tbilisi
   • Secret Speech

4. Brezhnev Constitution sets new political framework

   Oct 7, 1977Labels: Brezhnev Constitution, USSR, Soviet law

   • USSR Const

5. Mass rally forces retreat on Georgian language status

   Apr 14, 1978Labels: Tbilisi rally, Eduard Shevardnadze, Georgian language

   • 1978 Georgia
   • Civil Georgia

6. Karabakh movement begins with Stepanakert demonstration

   Feb 13, 1988Labels: Karabakh movement, Stepanakert demonstration, Nagorno-Karabakh

   • Karabakh Move
   • Nagorno Karabakh

7. Nagorno-Karabakh Soviet votes to request transfer to Armenia

   Feb 20, 1988Labels: Nagorno-Karabakh Soviet, Azerbaijan SSR, Armenian SSR

   • Karabakh Move
   • Nagorno Karabakh

8. Askeran clash signals escalation of Armenian–Azerbaijani violence

   Feb 22, 1988Labels: Askeran clash, Nagorno-Karabakh, Intercommunal violence

   • Askeran Clash
   • Nagorno Karabakh

9. Sumgait pogrom drives Armenians to flee Azerbaijan

   Feb 27, 1988Labels: Sumgait pogrom, Armenians in, Anti-Armenian violence

   • Sumgait
   • Karabakh Move

10. Spitak earthquake shocks Armenia and disrupts political life

    Dec 7, 1988Labels: Spitak earthquake, Armenia, Humanitarian aid

    • Spitak Quake
    • Earth Magazine

11. Soviet troops kill demonstrators in Tbilisi (April 9 tragedy)

    Apr 9, 1989Labels: Tbilisi April, Soviet troops, Georgian independence

    • April 9
    • Civil Georgia

12. Ethnic violence erupts in Sukhumi amid Abkhaz–Georgian tensions

    Jul 1, 1989Labels: Sukhumi riots, Abkhazia, Georgian SSR

    • Sukhumi Riots
    • April 9

13. Baku pogrom targets Armenians as Soviet authority weakens

    Jan 12, 1990Labels: Baku pogrom, Armenians in, Azerbaijan

    • Baku Pogrom
    • Black January

14. Soviet army storms Baku in “Black January” crackdown

    Jan 19, 1990Labels: Black January, Soviet army, Baku

    • Black January
    • Baku Pogrom

15. Georgia declares restoration of independence

    Apr 9, 1991Labels: Georgia independence, Supreme Council, Restoration

    • Civil Georgia
    • Independence Day

16. Nagorno-Karabakh holds independence referendum amid USSR breakup

    Dec 10, 1991Labels: Nagorno-Karabakh referendum, Republic of, Self-determination

    • NK Referendum
    • Karabakh Move