The Geopolitical Position of Azerbaijan in the Context of World War I (1914–1918): Strategic Importance and the Formation of National Statehood

Authors : Lala Rasul Mammedova

Pages : 1004-1014

Doi:10.5281/zenodo.17700978

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Publication Date : 2025-12-19

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This article examines the geopolitical significance of Azerbaijan during World War I (1914–1918), focusing on the strategic interests of the Ottoman Empire, the Russian Empire, and Germany in the South Caucasus. Drawing on historical and archival sources, the study analyzes Azerbaijan’s role not only as a contested territory but also as an emerging political actor within the framework of great power confrontations. The article further explores the impact of wartime developments on the rise of Azerbaijani national identity, early constitutional thinking, and the foundational steps toward the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. The relevance of this inquiry is underscored by the official declaration of 2025 as the “Year of Constitution and Sovereignty” in Azerbaijan, reflecting the contemporary importance of this historical transformation for the country’s legal and political legacy.
Keywords : Azerbaycan, Güney Kafkasya, I. Dünya Savaşı (1914–1918), Jeopolitik, Osmanlı İmparatorluğu, Rus İmparatorluğu

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