Red Army invasion of Azerbaijan — 1920 military campaign conducted by the 11th Army of Soviet Russia with the aim of installing a new Soviet government in the Azerbaijan
The Soviet invasion ended Azerbaijan's short-lived democratic republic and established Bolshevik rule, integrating Azerbaijan into the Soviet state.
Key Facts
- Date of invasion
- April 1920
- Invading force
- 11th Army of Soviet Russia
- State dissolved
- Azerbaijan Democratic Republic
- State established
- Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic
- Duration of nominal independence
- Until 1922
- Uprising date
- Night of 26–27 April 1920
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During 1919–1920, Azerbaijan suffered severe political and socio-economic instability. Armed conflicts between rival factions weakened the government, and underground Bolshevik organizations grew in influence. After defeating the Volunteer Army in the North Caucasus, the 11th Red Army positioned itself on Azerbaijan's borders, while local Azerbaijani Bolsheviks coordinated with the AC(b)P to organize an internal uprising.
In April 1920, the 11th Red Army crossed into Azerbaijan as Bolshevik insurrectionists seized key positions in Baku. Soviet armored trains conducted deep raids behind Azerbaijani lines. The Bolsheviks issued an ultimatum to the government and parliament, which voted in an emergency session to transfer power to the Azerbaijani Communist Party, backed by the advancing Red Army.
The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was dissolved and the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic was proclaimed. The new Communist-led government, supported by Red Army forces, rapidly consolidated control over the rest of the country. The Azerbaijan SSR functioned as a nominally independent state until 1922, when it was incorporated into the Soviet Union.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
Side B
1 belligerent