Turks in Kazakhstan: A History of Migration and Deportation
The presence of Turkish populations in Kazakhstan is a complex narrative shaped by geopolitical tensions, forced migrations, and the shifting demographics of the Soviet era. From the early arrival of Ottoman Turks to the mass deportation of the Meskhetian Turks during World War II, these communities have navigated a challenging path of assimilation and survival in Central Asia.
Ottoman Migration in the Early Soviet Era
The early 20th century saw the presence of Ottoman Turks within the borders of the Soviet Union. According to the First All-Union Census of 1926, there were 8,570 Ottoman Turks residing across the USSR. Over time, however, this specific group ceased to be listed as a separate category in official census data. It is widely presumed that those who settled in Kazakhstan were either assimilated into the local Kazakh society or eventually emigrated from the country.
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The Forced Deportation of Meskhetian Turks
The most significant influx of Turkish populations into Kazakhstan occurred during World War II, driven by the strategic and nationalistic goals of the Soviet leadership. At the time, the Soviet Union was preparing for a potential conflict with Turkey. Vyacheslav Molotov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, pressured the Turkish Ambassador in Moscow to surrender three Anatolian provinces: Kars, Ardahan, and Artvin.
To secure the border regions, Joseph Stalin sought to remove the Turkish population from Meskheti, a strategic area near the border of Georgia and Turkey. This move was supported by nationalistic sentiments of the era, characterized by the slogan "Georgia for Georgians," which argued that Meskhetian Turks should be relocated to Turkey.
Accusations and Relocation
By 1944, the Meskhetian Turks were forcefully deported from their homeland. The Soviet government justified these actions by accusing the population of espionage, banditry, and smuggling in collaboration with relatives across the Turkish border. This resulted in the establishment of large Meskhetian Turk settlements throughout Kazakhstan.
Despite the end of the war, the return to their ancestral lands remained blocked. Specifically, the Georgian government under Zviad Gamsakhurdia did not permit the Meskhetian Turks to return to Georgia.
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Demographic Trends and Census Data
The population of Turks in Kazakhstan fluctuated over the decades, reflecting the broader social and political changes of the Soviet Union and the subsequent independence of Kazakhstan. By the final Soviet Census in 1989, there were 207,500 Meskhetian Turks across the entire Soviet Union, with over 23.8% of that population registered in Kazakhstan.
| Census Year | Turk Population | Percentage of Kazakh Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1939 | 523 | 0% |
| 1959 | 9,916 | 0.1% |
| 1970 | 18,397 | 0.1% |
| 1979 | 25,820 | 0.2% |
| 1989 | 49,567 | 0.3% |
| 1999 | 75,950 | 0.5% |
| 2009 | 97,015 | 0.6% |
| 2021 | 85,478 | 0.4% |
Key Facts
- 1926 Census: Recorded 8,570 Ottoman Turks in the Soviet Union.
- Strategic Deportation: Meskhetian Turks were removed from the Georgian-Turkish border in 1944 to clear a strategic zone.
- Political Pressure: The Soviet Union demanded the provinces of Kars, Ardahan, and Artvin from Turkey during WWII.
- Population Peak: The Turk population in Kazakhstan reached its highest recorded census number in 2009 with 97,015 people.
- Soviet Distribution: In 1989, 23.8% of all Meskhetian Turks in the USSR lived in Kazakhstan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Meskhetian Turks?
The Meskhetian Turks were a Turkish-speaking population living in the Meskheti region near the border of Georgia and Turkey who were forcefully deported by the Soviet Union in 1944.
Why were Turks deported to Kazakhstan?
Joseph Stalin ordered the deportation to clear a strategic border zone during World War II, amid tensions with Turkey and the rise of nationalistic policies in Georgia.
What happened to the Ottoman Turks in Kazakhstan?
While 8,570 Ottoman Turks were recorded in the 1926 census, they later disappeared from separate census listings, likely due to emigration or assimilation into Kazakh society.
Were the Meskhetian Turks allowed to return to Georgia?
No, the Georgian government under Zviad Gamsakhurdia did not permit the Meskhetian Turks to return to their homeland.
How has the Turk population in Kazakhstan changed over time?
The population grew steadily from 523 in 1939 to a peak of 97,015 in 2009, before decreasing to 85,478 by the 2021 census.