Background Deportation of the Crimean Tatars

crimea highlighted on map of black sea

the crimean tatars controlled crimean khanate 1441 1783, when crimea annexed russian empire target of russian expansionism. turkic-speaking population of crimea had adopted islam 14th century, following conversion of ozbeg khan of golden horde. longest surviving state of golden horde. engaged in conflicts moscow—from 1468 until 17th century, crimean tatars made annual incursions slavic lands, capturing many people used in slave trade—and extremely averse new russian rule. thus, tatars began leaving crimea in several waves of emigration. between 1784 , 1790, out of total population of million, around 300,000 crimean tatars left ottoman empire.

the crimean war triggered mass exodus of tatars. between 1855 , 1866 @ least 500,000 muslims, , possibly 900,000, left russian empire , emigrated ottoman empire. out of number, @ least 1 third crimea, while rest caucausus. these emigrants comprised 15–23% of total population of crimea. russian empire used further russify new russia . eventually, crimean tatars became minority in crimea; in 1783, comprised 98% of population, 1897, down 34.1%. while crimean tatars emigrating, russian government encouraged russification of peninsula, populating russians, ukrainians, , other slavic ethnic groups; russification continued during soviet era.

after 1917 october revolution, crimea granted autonomous status inside ussr on 18 october 1921, collectivization in 1920s led severe famine 100,000 crimeans perished when crops transported more important regions of soviet union. 1 estimate, three-quarters of famine victims crimean tatars. status deteriorated further after joseph stalin became soviet leader , started implementing various repressions lead deaths of @ least 5.2 million soviet citizens between 1927 , 1938.

in 1940, crimean socialist soviet republic had approximately 1,126,800 inhabitants, of 218,000 people, or 19.4% of population, tatars. in 1941, nazi germany invaded eastern europe, annexing of western ussr. excuse used collective punishment had collaborated occupying german forces during second world war. soviet accounts of late 1940s indict tatars them nationality of traitors, leaving no doubt reasons deportation. opinion widespread throughout soviet period , still exists day. these claims refuted crimean tatar nationalists.

per soviet sources, on 20,000 crimean tatars enlisted , sent fight against nazis during german attack on soviet union. many of captured crimean tatars serving in red army sent pow camps after romanians , nazis came occupy bulk of crimea. though nazis called murder of asiatic inferiors , policy revised in face of determined resistance red army. started recruiting soviet prisoners in 1942. in fashion, german army created several distinct support armies soviet pows. november 1941, german authorities allowed them establish muslim committees in various towns symbolic recognition of local government authority, though not given political power.

some of crimean tatars organized schutzmannschaft (police battalions) , selbstschutz (self-defense) brigades protect crimean tatar villages partisan attacks track down soviet partisans. these units sided whoever strongest in area. partisans raided villages perceived collaboration. according both german , crimean tatar evidence, germans persuaded between 15,000 , 20,000 crimean tatars form self-defense battalions.

majority of hiwis (helpers), families , associated muslim committees evacuated germany , hungary or dobruca wehrmacht , romanian army joined eastern turkic division. many soviet officials had recognised , rejected claims had betrayed soviet union en masse. however, german retreat, voices demanding punishment of tatars grew louder. in addition, presence of muslim committees organized berlin edige kirimal , other members of turkish , dobrucan diaspora appeared particularly damning in eyes of soviet government. linking of tatars turkey nationalists increased suspicion.

however, not people of nationality joined collaboration; crimean tatar ahmet Özenbaşlı, instance, opposed occupation , nurtured secret contacts soviet resistance movement give them valuable strategic , political information. many crimean tatars fought on side of partisans tarhanov movement of 250 tatars fought throughout 1942 till destruction. suspicion on crimean tatars rose despite thousands of them still serving in red army when attacked berlin. viewed being carried out due stalin s plan take complete control of crimea. soviet plan gain access dardanelles , control territory in turkey crimean tatars had ethnic kinsmen, led them again being viewed potentially disloyal.

up 130,000 people died during axis occupation of crimea. nazis implemented brutal repression, destroying more 70 villages home 25% crimean tatar population. thousands of crimean tatars forcibly transferred work ostarbeiter in german factories under supervision of gestapo in described vast slave workshops , resulting in loss of crimean tatar support. nazis considered crimean tatars , various other nations people of lower race. in april 1944 red army managed repel axis forces peninsula in crimean offensive.