History: Timeline of the Circassian Genocide

The Circassians are an ancient nation. They are historically recognized as the indigenous people of Circassia. Their homeland was located on the northeastern shore of the Black Sea. The Circassians contributed significantly to human civilization. They also endured high costs to preserve their identity in the Caucasus. Before the Russian invasion, Circassia was a small independent nation.

Conflict between Tsarist Russia and the Circassians lasted for over a century, specifically from 1763 to 1864. This prolonged war began with the start of conflicts with Circassia as part of the larger Caucasian War. The war was initiated by Tsarist Russia with the aim of eliminating the presence of the Circassian nation in their homeland and controlling the Circassian Black Sea coast.

A new strategy for dealing with the northwestern highlanders was summarized by Dmitri Milyutin, chief-of-staff to Bariatinskii, in a policy memorandum in 1857. The idea, according to Milyutin, was not merely to clear the highlands and coastal areas of Circassians for settlement by farmers. Instead, the goal was to make eliminating the Circassians an end in itself – to cleanse the land of hostile elements.

Tsar Alexander II formally approved this resettlement plan. Milyutin, who later became minister of war, recalled in his memoirs that the plan for 1860 was to "cleanse" (ochistit) the mountain zone of its indigenous population.

The Circassian genocide is also known as Tsitsekun. It refers to the systematic mass killing, ethnic cleansing, and forced displacement of the Circassian people. These actions occurred during the final stages of the Russian invasion in the 19th century.

Historians and researchers from different countries and times confirm the genocide that the Circassian nation experienced. Walter Richmond argues that the term "genocide" is appropriate for the events of 1864. He describes them as "one of the first examples of modern social engineering". According to Richmond, genocidal intent applies because the demographic transformation of Circassia into a predominantly ethnically Russian region was a desirable outcome for Russian authorities.

Michael Ellman also agrees that the term "genocide" is justified under the UN definition, which refers to actions intending to destroy an ethnic group in whole or in part.

The methods used by the Imperial Russian Army included: (1) Mass killings, (2) Impaling victims, (3) Tearing open the bellies of pregnant women to intimidate the Circassians and devastate their morale, (4) Permitting Russian soldiers to rape Circassian women. Generals like Grigory Zass described Circassians as "subhuman filth" and a "lowly race" to justify their wholesale slaughter. Circassians were even used as human test subjects in unethical scientific experiments.

The scale of the tragedy during the Russo-Circassian Wars was immense. The genocide resulted in the deaths of a significant portion of the Circassian population. Estimates for the number of deaths range from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 killed directly or indirectly. An additional 500,000 died whilst fleeing. Some sources indicate approximately 1.5 to 2 million Circassian natives were slaughtered.

The impact on the Circassian population was devastating. Between 95% and 97% of the Circassian people were either killed outright, died during the military campaigns, or were deported. One estimate shows the indigenous population of the entire north-western Caucasus was reduced by a massive 94 percent. Walter Richmond estimates that with even the most conservative mortality estimates, at least 625,000 Circassians died during Evdokimovs operations alone.

Following the genocide, hundreds of thousands more Circassians were forced to leave their homeland. This forced displacement, often referred to as "exile" or "deportation," was a deliberate policy.

The Circassians were driven from their homeland and deported to the Ottoman Empire over hundreds of raids. Between 1,000,000 and 1,500,000 people were displaced. Approximately 1,500,000 indigenous highland Caucasians were expelled mainly to the Ottoman Empire, with a smaller number sent to Persia.

Karl Freidrick Neuman cites Ottoman correspondence claiming 1.5 million attempted to sail to Turkey, with 500,000 dying en route, and an additional 500,000 dying from disease in camps on Turkish shores.

One Circassian delegate articulated the devastating situation during this period, questioning what awaited the displaced migrants forced to go to foreign countries: "How much mercy will the strange countries need to receive hundreds of thousands of immigrants!".

By 1864, after three-fourths of the population had been annihilated, the Circassians had become one of the first stateless peoples in modern history. The forced expulsion resulted in the alienation of ninety percent of the total population from their homeland. This led to a large dispersion across dozens of countries.

Circassians were resettled in areas including the Balkans, Anatolia, Iraq, and the Levant (Syria, Jordan, Israel). Today, significant Circassian diaspora communities exist in Turkey, Jordan, Syria, Israel, Germany, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Iraq, Iran, and Egypt, The largest diaspora population resides in Turkey, estimated to be between 2,000,000 and 3,000,000.

The Circassian nation seeks justice and the ability to return to their historical homeland. 161 years after being deprived of their right to live and having their resources plundered, they continue their struggle. Resources plundered during the invasion included land, water, fertile soils, cultivation, animals, plants, forests, and minerals. The cultivated Circassian landscape was seen as an indication of civilization.

There is a modern movement advocating for the rights and freedoms of Circassians. This includes a contemporary struggle to preserve the Circassian language and culture. The campaign for genocide recognition continues.

Recognition of the genocide, unifying Circassian territories, and the return of the diaspora are main issues on the Circassian movements agenda. Different figures have differing opinions on how to implement these proposals. Documents and facts available need to be presented and published in multiple languages to expose the reality of the genocide and deportation.