11/6/2014 9:26:00 PM

Warriors of the turquoise Hills- Kazakhstan

Parts of Kazak are in Europe
Worlds largest landlocked country and 9th largest country in the world re land
Russia never included Kazakhstan into CA as it wanted to stress its attachment with Russia
Borders with China, Russian, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkesministan and also adjoins the
Caspian sea. Larger than Western Europe
Divided into 14 regions and Baiknour cosmodroume until 2050 leased to Russians.
Population is 17 million
Last to declare independence and Nursultan Nazarbayev has been the leader ever since
Nuclear weapons and the first Muslim state to have this capacity by default.
Composed of 131 ethnicities [63 percent Kazak and others are Uzbek, Ukrainian, German, Tatar,
Russian, Uyghur] 70% Muslim and Christians
Many Kazaks live in China, Northern Afghanistan and etc
Capital is Astana where it moved from Almaty in 1997
Inhabited by nomadic tribes but this changed when Genghis Khan occupied the territory in 13 th
century.
Russians started invading in 18th century, one of the first countries and completed their control
in the 19th century.
1917-1936 [several reorganizations before becoming KAZAK SSR]

Tasarit Imperialism
From 1890 onwards there was huge influx of Russians
Competition for water and land resulted in clashes between the locals and the Russians
In the Revolution Kazakhstan was completely controlled
Kazak Under Soviets
Initially it became autonomous or what is called the Alash Autonomy for some years and finally
succumbing to Soviet pressure by 1920
Forced collectivization during 1920-30 brought mass hunger and famine which finally led to
mass unrest and great suffering.

Due to starvation and emigration the Kazak population declined. Many fled to China. Lost many
ppl to migtration, death, murder, prison and starvation.
1940s extensive migrations took place and Kazak identity was dissolved.
Russification began in 40s
Mineral extraction
Industrialization
Nikita Khruschev changed the Virgin Lands into sources of food production for the whole USSR
Brezenev continued the agriculture policy and Kazak was the source of food supply to all of
Russia.

Prestroika and Glsonast period; Prestoika was a political movement for reform within the
Communist Party of the Soviet Union during 1980s. Restructuring.
Glasonast: Reformations

Russian protests
In December 1986
To address Russian settlers protests against the mafia style governance of the Kazak
Dinmukhamed Kunayev Moscow sacked him and replaced with Gennedy Kolbin as SG of CPKZ.
Resulted in protests and nationalist sentiment. 10K ppl demonstrated in Alma Ata and this sent
shock waves across Moscow at the firs outbreak of protests in CA.
Kolibin tried to re-assure by holding elections for CPKZ but the results were in favor of
Nursultan Nazarbaaevy who was elected first secrtary of CPKZ and after independence he
continues to remain there.
NN played local politics skillfully balancing Kazak clan interests with Moscow directives.

Economy of Kazakhistan