The Establishment of The Soviet Regime In Northern Azerbaijan. Resistance Against The Invaders

The Resistance Movement Against the Soviet Occupation Regime

Immediately after the April occupation, “Red Terror”, held by the Bolsheviks and the atrocities of the 11th Red Army in Baku and in the regions, the elimination of the National Army and the Navy and the destruction of the national officer staff (12 generals were executed, who served the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic), mass repressions against civilians and the confiscation of property caused the uprisings and demonstrations against the Soviet regime.

The uprising against the Soviet regime, which occurred in May of 1920 in Ganja, differs from the other uprisings in its scope. Replacement of experienced officers, serving in the national army units in Ganja, with the Bolshevik commanders under the pretext of reorganizing the army and demand for the national army units in the western regions of Azerbaijan to operate under the Bolsheviks' rules, caused the protest. The Bolshevik government's decision, to replace the command staff of the national army and the disarmament of soldiers, led to a massive uprising in Ganja. In the anti-Soviet uprising of the Azerbaijan National Army on the night of 25 to May 26, 1920, 1800 of military men and by over 10 thousands of local civilians took part. On May 26, the Military Council was created to lead the uprising. The rebels seized the railway station and detained for a week Muslim part of the city. The Bolsheviks, pulling many troops, heavy artillery and armored railway equipment, on May 31 launched an offensive on Ganja. The Armenian population of the city has provided all possible assistance to the 11th Red Army, creating armed groups fought with the Bolsheviks against the rebels.