ARMENIANS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND ZAKUBANYE IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE XIX CENTURY

Abstract

Since the end of the eighteenth century, Russia's position in the North-Western Caucasus had strengthened. And in 1829, after the Russian-Turkish war on the Adrianople Peace Treaty, the territory became a part of the Russian Empire. The Armenians of Zakubanya (Circasso-Gai) and the Caucasus line by that time played a role in establishing trade and other ties in the region. However, the political changes brought new features to their activities. In connection with the intensification of military confrontations in the region, the warring parties needed mediators able to rescue people from captivity. Mountainous Armenians actively joined in this process, receiving economic benefits. Thanks to them, a large number of Russian slaves were returned to their homeland. Another important process was the active resettlement of the Armenians on the lands controlled by Russia, where they received various benefits and advantages. Migrations of Armenians during this period were due not only to military, socio-economic, but also confessional factors. In this article, they are disclosed on the basis of sources, identified in the State Archives of the Krasnodar region.