Sociocultural Integration of the Highlanders of the North Caucasus into the Russian Empire in the second half of the 19th century

Abstract

After the end of the Caucasian War, an active socio-cultural integration of the mountain peoples into the Russian Empire began. In the second half of the 19th century, the main principles and characteristic features of the state structure of the North Caucasus were formed as part of the Russian Empire. A system of administrative and state administration took shape, taking into account the religious and cultural specifics of the mountain peoples. This article is based on an interdisciplinary approach that combines historical-archival and socio-cultural analysis, a systematic view of various factors of Russification and socio-cultural integration of mountain peoples. Such mechanisms of socio-cultural integration of the highlanders as the spread of the Russian language, the formation of Russian education, the incorporation of highland elites through military and public service are considered. Despite the state course to strengthen the role of the Russian language by expanding its use in public administration and education, elements of the administrative and cultural autonomy of the mountain peoples, respect for their culture, language and traditions were preserved. In most cases, integration did not cause active protest from the mountain population, many mountaineers considered Russification as an expansion of opportunities for raising their social status and career growth. In the process of interaction between the Russian and mountain peoples, a mutual socio-cultural transformation and partial assimilation took place.