Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic

Armenian: Անդրկովկասի Խորհրդային Սոցիալիստական Դաշնային (Ֆեդերատիվ) Հանրապետություն
Andrkovkasi Khorhrdayin Soc‘ialistakan Dashnayin (Federativ) Hanrapetut‘yun
Azerbaijani: Zaqafqaziya Sosialist Federativ Sovet Respublikası
Georgian: ამიერკავკასიის საბჭოთა ფედერაციული სოციალისტური რესპუბლიკა
Amierk'avk'asiis Sabch'ota Pederatsiuli Sotsialist'uri Resp'ublik'a
Russian: Закавказская Социалистическая Федеративная Советская Республика
Zakavkazskaya Sotsalisticheskaya Federativnaya Sovetskaya Respublika

1922–1936

Flag
(1925–1936)

Emblem
(1930–1936)

Anthem: Интернационал
"The Internationale"

Location of the Transcaucasian SFSR (red) within the Soviet Union

Status

Union Republic of the Soviet Union
(1922–1936)

Capital

Tiflis (Tbilisi)

Common languages

Armenian
Azerbaijani
Georgian
Russian

Demonym(s)

Transcaucasian

Government

Federal Soviet socialist republic

Legislature

All-Caucasian Congress of Soviets

History

• Established

12 March 1922

• Disestablished

5 December 1936

Area

• Total

186,043 km² (71,832 sq mi)

• Water

2,785 km² (1,075 sq mi)

• Water (%)

1,49

Currency

Transcaucasian rouble, Soviet rouble

Preceded by

Succeeded by

	Armenian SSR
	Azerbaijan SSR
	Georgian SSR

Armenian SSR
Azerbaijan SSR
Georgian SSR

Today part of

The Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic (or TSFSR) was a part of the Soviet Union. It existed from 1922 to 1936.

This republic included three areas: Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. These regions are known as the "Transcaucasian Republics." They are separated from Russia by the Caucasus Mountains.

The TSFSR was one of the four original republics that formed the Soviet Union in 1922. It was created to help the economy and strengthen the control of the Bolsheviks (a political group) in the region. In 1936, the TSFSR was dissolved. Its three parts became separate republics within the Soviet Union.

How the Transcaucasian SFSR Began
Autonomous Regions within the TSFSR
Stamps and Postal History
See also

How the Transcaucasian SFSR Began

The idea for a united Transcaucasian state started after the Russian Empire ended in 1918. This happened after the October Revolution. The provinces in the Caucasus region broke away and formed their own state. It was called the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic.

However, this federation only lasted two months. Different ethnic groups had their own interests. Also, there was fighting with the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Because of these problems, the federation dissolved in April 1918.

From Independent States to Soviet Republics

After the federation broke up, three new states were formed. These were the First Republic of Armenia, the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Democratic Republic of Georgia. They existed until the end of the Russian Civil War.

During this war, the Red Army invaded these areas. They became Soviet republics. On March 12, 1922, these three Soviet Republics—Armenian SSR, Azerbaijani SSR, and Georgian SSR—joined together. They formed the Federative Union of Socialist Soviet Republics of Transcaucasia.

Forming the TSFSR

On December 13, 1922, this union changed. The First All-Caucasian Congress of Soviets turned it into a single federal state. It was renamed the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic (TSFSR). Even so, the individual republics kept some of their independence.

The Congress also created a constitution and a government. Mamia Orakhelashvili, a Georgian Bolshevik leader, became the first head of the government. The capital city of the TSFSR was Tbilisi.

Joining the Soviet Union

The TSFSR became a founding member of the Soviet Union on December 30, 1922. It joined with the Russian SFSR, the Ukrainian SSR, and the Byelorussian SSR.

In December 1936, the TSFSR was dissolved. Its parts became separate Soviet Republics again. These were the Georgian, Armenian, and Azerbaijani SSRs.

Autonomous Regions within the TSFSR

Map of the Transcaucasian region during the Soviet era.

Within the TSFSR, there were also smaller regions with some self-rule. These were called autonomous republics.

Abkhazia: After the Red Army invasion of Georgia, Abkhazia was declared a Soviet Republic in March 1922. It signed an agreement with the Georgian SSR. This made it a "treaty republic." Through Georgia, Abkhazia joined the TSFSR. Later, in February 1931, Abkhazia's status changed. It became an Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic within the Georgian SSR.

Adjara: The Adjar ASSR was created in July 1921. It was part of the Georgian SSR. This happened because of the Treaty of Kars. This treaty divided a region between Georgia and Turkey. The northern part, with many Georgian Muslims, became part of Soviet Georgia. It was given autonomy (self-rule).

Nakhchivan: Another autonomous republic was formed in July 1920 in Nakhchivan. This area borders Armenia, Turkey, and Iran. Both Armenians and Azerbaijanis claimed it. After the Red Army took control, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was declared. It had "close ties" to the Azerbaijani SSR. Treaties later confirmed Nakhchivan as an autonomous republic under Azerbaijan's protection.

Stamps and Postal History

Before 1923, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan each had their own postage stamps. The Transcaucasian Federation started issuing its own stamps on September 15, 1923. These new stamps replaced the separate ones on October 1.

The first stamps were Russian and Armenian stamps with a star overprinted on them. This star had the letters 'ZSFSR' (the Federation's initials) inside. Because of high inflation, new stamps were soon issued. These stamps had designs showing oil fields or Soviet symbols over mountains. Their values ranged from 40,000 to 500,000 roubles.

Later, some stamps were re-issued with values in gold kopecks. Starting in 1924, the Federation began using stamps from the main Soviet Union.

A 1923 stamp overprinted on a Russian Empire stamp.
A 1923 stamp overprinted on an Armenian stamp.
A 1923 40,000-rouble stamp.
A 1923 two-kopeck stamp.

Most of these stamps are not very rare today. However, stamps overprinted on Armenian stamps can be more valuable. Used stamps are less common than unused ones.

Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic facts for kids

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