The Russian-German struggle of influence in Caucasia according to Russian sources (1933-1945)

The political, military and economical struggle of influence of Russia and Germany in Caucasia between 1933 and 1945 was addressed in this study. The aim of this study was toreveal the effect of struggle between these two countries in Caucasia onregional communities and governments. Accordingly, the historical research method was used in this study. The literature review, classification, assessment, criticism and combination methods were used toobtain an objective result. Archive sources and the first-hand sources were used in the preparation process of this study and if these were not sufficient, second-hand sources were used. It was found in this study that Russia increased its influence on the region during the that the struggle put up by Russia and Germany for Caucasia between 1933 and 1945. A struggle of influence between these two states in Caucasia negatively affected the regional communities politically, militarily, socio-culturally and economically. Furthermore, this struggle dragged the Caucasian governments and societies into a disaster. Both authorities admitted that Russia and Germany caused this disaster. To compensate for the victimization of Caucasian communities, political, civil, military and economic rights were once more granted to these communities. However, it took years for Caucasian communities whose values were destroyed, to recover themselves. It was concluded that regional communities and governments were damaged by the struggle of influence between Russia and Germany in Caucasia the most. It was understood that no political action should be conducted on regional communities for the continuance of peace and serenity in Caucasia. The tolerant relationships of the Caucasian communities and governments will contribute to maintaining the peace and serenity between themselves as well as preventing the external agents to interfere in the area. Keywords: Caucasia, World War II, Russia, Germany