Unlocking the Caucasus for Empire: Roots, causes and consequences of the Russian annexation of the East Georgian kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti, 1801
Journal: Cappadocia Journal of Area Studies (CJAS) Cappadocia University
Year: 2021

The Russian annexation of the Eastern Georgian kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti at the outset of the 19th century ushered in a new stage in the history of the Russian expansion in the Caucasus. The growing Russian influence in the region depended on Russia's ability to find allies from among the local Caucasian peoples. In this respect, the Orthodox Georgians could be counted on by the Tsarist authorities as a potential ally in the area traditionally influenced by the Ottoman Empire and Persia. Gaining