The Basmaci Movement and its reflections in Turkmenistan (1916-1924)

This study, titled "The Basmachi Movement and its Repercussions in Turkmenistan (1916-1924)" aims to shed light on a critical period in Central Asian history. The research focuses on the collapse of the Tsarist colonial regime in Turkmen lands, the 1916 National Uprising, the impact of the February and October Revolutions of 1917 on the region, the years of civil war, the Basmachi movement, and finally the establishment process of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic. The aim of the study is to evaluate the political, social, and economic conditions of the Turkmens during this historical period, their resistance movements, and their reactions to the Sovietization process from a holistic perspective. The research reveals how the heavy taxation and exploitation policies of the Tsarist administration increased social unrest, how the new promises that emerged with the revolutions created hope among the people, and how the subsequent centralized Bolshevik policies overshadowed these expectations. The findings indicate that the establishment of the Turkmen SSR in 1924 was a historical step that united Turkmen territories but instituted a Moscow-centered administration rather than real independence. The significance of the study lies in showing that the 1916-1924 period was not merely a regime change but a transitional phase in which the national consciousness of the Turkmens was shaped and their political identity strengthened. In this way, the study makes a valuable contribution to the understanding of both regional history and the Sovietization processes.