ON THE ISSUE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL STRUCTURE OF NATIONAL MINORITIES IN THE TEREK DISTRICT OF THE NORTH CAUCASUS REGION

Abstract

The article is devoted to the process and results of territorial self-determination of national minorities in the Terek district in 1924-1930 within the framework of the Soviet national construction. This problem has not yet found special coverage in the scientifi c literature. The study determined the nature and degree of infl uence of the geographical location of the Terek district and its ethno-social structure on the processes of administrative and territorial arrangement of national minorities. The features of settlement, social and religious structure of the largest ethnic groups are determined. The main priorities in the implementation of the policy of territorial separation of ethnic groups living in the region are indicated. The main criteria for creating national territorial entities, including Soviets of villages of the hill people and Soviets of villages of the Russian Cossacks, are highlighted. Projects on allocation of national districts and areas are analysed. Objective and subjective factors that hindered the implementation of these projects were identifi ed. It was proved that the national policy in the Terek district was subject to signifi cant adjustments due to local ethnic, social, cultural, economic and political specifi cs. It is noted that the ethnosocial structure of national minorities in the region was extremely heterogeneous. It was revealed that the Cossack factor continued to play an important role in the process of territorial self-determination of national minorities in the Terek district.