The Alash Movement and the Question of the Right of Nations to Self-Determination in the Context of Russian Political History of the Early Twentieth Century

Abstract

The article examines the relationship of the Alash party with the political parties of the democratic spector of Russia at the beginning of the 20th century in connection with their attitude to the question of the right of nations to self-determination. The movement of Alash in the initial period of its formation was close to the party of the Cadets, and at a mature stage to the moderate socialists. This evolution is explained by the search for allies among the political forces of Russia, capable of supporting the autonomy of the Kazakh people. By the end of the civil war, in view of the defeat of both the democratic forces and the white armies, Alash had to conclude a difficult alliance with the Bolsheviks as their junior partners, adopting a program of socialist reconstruction, which included granting of autonomy to national entities.