Conquest and Resistance

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the most important historical trajectories, covering the period from Russia’s advance towards the Caucasus under Catherine II in the last third of the 18th century to military conquest in the mid-19th century with the surrender of Imam Shamil. The main goal is to give readers an understanding of the character of Russian imperial strategies of conquest, as well as providing an insight into the nature and the changing forms of resistance against Russia’s advance. This chapter also includes a discussion of societal, cultural and political changes taking place in the North Caucasus, and an overview of the main historiographical debates concerning the reasons for Russian military victory.