Join our tutor David Rowson to discover the fascinating history of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, otherwise known as the South Caucasus. What impact might the Russian Revolution have on these states?
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The course examines a short but very intense period in a region of diverse and unique cultures and geo-political importance, which yet remains little known: four years of ferment in the South Caucasus, following the Russian Revolutions of 1917.
We will examine the upheavals and opportunities for change created by the overthrow of the Tsarist regime, with the aim of understanding the parts played by political ideas, nationalisms and the interference of the great powers, in the context of the First World War and the Russian Civil War.
We will consider the background of more than one hundred years of Russian colonisation and the very specific societies of the three main nations of the region. During the subsequent Soviet period the Caucasus was largely seen culturally and politically as an inseparable part of the USSR, but prior to that the peoples of this region had very strong links with the nations to the south, to the Ottoman Empire and to Persia, as well as to Russia. Apart from the three major nationalities, the South Caucasus is home to many other ethnic groups, who also played their part in the history of this period.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- understand the significance of the South Caucasus in the context of the huge events transforming the world during this period - navigate through a very complex and fascinating period in a region rich in its own specific characteristics - understand the forces which drove the historical events and processes, forces which are still to some extent operative today.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Even though some prior general knowledge about the period and the region would be useful, this is not a requirement and no prior knowledge is essential. An interest in the subject matter and in historical processes in general are the only key requirements.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will include a mixture of lectures/short presentations by the tutor combined with class discussions. Reading materials (reportage and academic articles and extracts from books, as well as short videos) will be used as appropriate.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no other costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper or digital equivalents for note taking.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
There will be a follow-on course in the spring with David on the experience of the peoples of the South Caucasus during the Soviet period:
HWH189 Seventy years in the Soviet grip: the experience of the people of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia
Additionally, you may be interested in:
HWH124 The ‘Great Game’: Anglo-Russian rivalry in Asia.
After 19 years in the education field overseas, David Rowson returned to London in 2000 to work as a teacher and manager in a college for overseas students. Twelve of his years abroad were spent in Georgia, working for the British Council during the period which saw the break-up of the Soviet Union, and then directing a UNDP-funded project for the Georgian government. His initial experience was in teaching English as a foreign language, but in the UK he seized on opportunities to teach History and Politics when they presented themselves. He has master’s degrees in History and Education. His latent interest in history came to life as he observed and sought to understand the rapid changes that took place in the USSR and post-USSR in the years after 1988. David also teaches chess, a game which has fascinated him since secondary school. He is currently a Kingston Chess Club captain, and was a member of the Surrey team which won the 2011 English County Championship. His believes that teaching should be a co-operative project between students and tutors, in which, guided by the tutor, those involved raise questions and explore answers together, developing their skills, knowledge and unde
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/georgia-armenia-and-azerbaijan-1917-21-revolution-conflict-and-experiments-in-independence1426216Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan 1917-21: Revolution, Conflict and Experiments in Independencehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/g/e/georgia-armenia-azerbaijan-1024_1.jpg189189GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Global & imperial history/Courses/Online courses228511771178121017311228511771178Join our tutor David Rowson to discover the fascinating history of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, otherwise known as the South Caucasus. What impact might the Russian Revolution have on these states?153030988Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan 1917-21: Revolution, Conflict and Experiments in Independence189189https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/g/e/georgia-armenia-azerbaijan-1024_1_4.jpgInStockEveningThuOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-10-22T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersOct 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHWH181189189Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan 1917-21: Revolution, Conflict and Experiments in Independence189123189David Rowsongeorgia-armenia-and-azerbaijan-1917-21-revolution-conflict-and-experiments-in-independence/hwh181-2627Join our tutor David Rowson to discover the fascinating history of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, otherwise known as the South Caucasus. What impact might the Russian Revolution have on these states?0000-Available|2026-10-22 00:00:00The course examines a short but very intense period in a region of diverse and unique cultures and geo-political importance, which yet remains little known: four years of ferment in the South Caucasus, following the Russian Revolutions of 1917. <br><br>We will examine the upheavals and opportunities for change created by the overthrow of the Tsarist regime, with the aim of understanding the parts played by political ideas, nationalisms and the interference of the great powers, in the context of the First World War and the Russian Civil War. <br><br>We will consider the background of more than one hundred years of Russian colonisation and the very specific societies of the three main nations of the region. During the subsequent Soviet period the Caucasus was largely seen culturally and politically as an inseparable part of the USSR, but prior to that the peoples of this region had very strong links with the nations to the south, to the Ottoman Empire and to Persia, as well as to Russia. Apart from the three major nationalities, the South Caucasus is home to many other ethnic groups, who also played their part in the history of this period.Join our tutor David Rowson to discover the fascinating history of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, otherwise known as the South Caucasus. What impact might the Russian Revolution have on these states?- understand the significance of the South Caucasus in the context of the huge events transforming the world during this period<br>- navigate through a very complex and fascinating period in a region rich in its own specific characteristics<br>- understand the forces which drove the historical events and processes, forces which are still to some extent operative today.Even though some prior general knowledge about the period and the region would be useful, this is not a requirement and no prior knowledge is essential. An interest in the subject matter and in historical processes in general are the only key requirements.The course will include a mixture of lectures/short presentations by the tutor combined with class discussions. Reading materials (reportage and academic articles and extracts from books, as well as short videos) will be used as appropriate.There are no other costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper or digital equivalents for note taking.There will be a follow-on course in the spring with David on the experience of the peoples of the South Caucasus during the Soviet period: <br><br>HWH189 Seventy years in the Soviet grip: the experience of the people of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia <br><br>Additionally, you may be interested in:<br><br>HWH124 The ‘Great Game’: Anglo-Russian rivalry in Asia.HistoryGlobal & imperial historyvirtual189189123HWH181NONEThu22/10/26 - 26/11/2619:00 - 21:0019:0021:006 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineDavid RowsonBeginnersAvailable courses2026-10-22T00:00:00+00:00Oct 2026Culture, history & humanities189189Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan 1917-21: Revolution, Conflict and Experiments in Independencegeorgia-armenia-and-azerbaijan-1917-21-revolution-conflict-and-experiments-in-independence/hwh181-2627Join our tutor David Rowson to discover the fascinating history of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, otherwise known as the South Caucasus. What impact might the Russian Revolution have on these states?0000-Available|2026-10-22 00:00:00The course examines a short but very intense period in a region of diverse and unique cultures and geo-political importance, which yet remains little known: four years of ferment in the South Caucasus, following the Russian Revolutions of 1917. <br><br>We will examine the upheavals and opportunities for change created by the overthrow of the Tsarist regime, with the aim of understanding the parts played by political ideas, nationalisms and the interference of the great powers, in the context of the First World War and the Russian Civil War. <br><br>We will consider the background of more than one hundred years of Russian colonisation and the very specific societies of the three main nations of the region. During the subsequent Soviet period the Caucasus was largely seen culturally and politically as an inseparable part of the USSR, but prior to that the peoples of this region had very strong links with the nations to the south, to the Ottoman Empire and to Persia, as well as to Russia. Apart from the three major nationalities, the South Caucasus is home to many other ethnic groups, who also played their part in the history of this period.Join our tutor David Rowson to discover the fascinating history of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, otherwise known as the South Caucasus. What impact might the Russian Revolution have on these states?- understand the significance of the South Caucasus in the context of the huge events transforming the world during this period<br>- navigate through a very complex and fascinating period in a region rich in its own specific characteristics<br>- understand the forces which drove the historical events and processes, forces which are still to some extent operative today.Even though some prior general knowledge about the period and the region would be useful, this is not a requirement and no prior knowledge is essential. An interest in the subject matter and in historical processes in general are the only key requirements.The course will include a mixture of lectures/short presentations by the tutor combined with class discussions. Reading materials (reportage and academic articles and extracts from books, as well as short videos) will be used as appropriate.There are no other costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper or digital equivalents for note taking.There will be a follow-on course in the spring with David on the experience of the peoples of the South Caucasus during the Soviet period: <br><br>HWH189 Seventy years in the Soviet grip: the experience of the people of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia <br><br>Additionally, you may be interested in:<br><br>HWH124 The ‘Great Game’: Anglo-Russian rivalry in Asia.HistoryGlobal & imperial historyconfigurable
12101178Global & imperial historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/world-history1/2/285/1177/1178/12101/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Global & imperial history