The Soldier and Education in the First Republic of Georgia: 1918-1921

Abstract

The establishment of the capitalist system contributed to the formation of new social classes: the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. The removal of serfdom significantly changed the political, social, and economic system. New demands and cha-llenges have emerged in the new environment. Not only the proletariat and the bourgeoisie but the whole society underwent fundamental transformations. Especially since the national liberation movement in Europe in the XIX century was quite strong, which led to the formation of nation-states. Georgia perceived these changes differ-rently. As an occupied part of the Russian Empire, it was naturally influenced by the ongoing events there. While the process of nation-building was underway in Europe, Georgia was looking for new ways to fight for freedom. The Georgian cultural and political elite, via raising public awareness, tried to create a common Georgian space and involve all social strata equally in the struggle for independence. This process was in progress from 1918-1921. Therefore, it is important to raise a point and analyze how the process of the national movement was manifested. The period of the First Republic is one of the most difficult periods in the history of Georgia. On the one hand, the ideological forms of the national movement were being formed and developed, the primary expression of which was an educated society, aware of the history of its own country. As it has been already mentioned, the process of the national-liberation movement starting from the 50s of the XIX century was aimed at the formation of an educated and conscious society imbued with the national idea. The logical continuation of these processes was the current events of 1918-1921. Independent Georgia took the path to the West and its goal was the Europeanization of various spheres of the country, and among them, a special place was occupied by the education factor. The starting point of the Georgian authorities was to transform the Georgian army, not only from a military-professional point of view but also they aimed to raise their educational and national consciousness. Before that, i.e. until 1918, such a thing was unimaginable for the Georgian soldiers, who were the main backbone of the Russian imperial court and the executor of its will. The national government, in turn, focused primarily on strengthening the soldier's national self-awareness