Home › Center for Circassian Studies › Genocide Recognition Dossier › Historical Background
The History of the Circassian World section introduces the major historical developments that shaped Circassian lands, communities, and transregional connections. It presents Circassian history as a broad historical field shaped by homeland societies in the Northwest Caucasus, imperial expansion, forced displacement, diaspora formation, cultural continuity, and political memory.
This page brings together accessible resources on Circassian history, from social and political life in the Caucasus to the Russian-Caucasian War, the Circassian Genocide, exile, resettlement, and the formation of Circassian communities across the Ottoman Empire, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
Start Here
For readers new to Circassian history, we recommend beginning with the following introductory resources:
- What happened to the Circassians? A short historical guide
- The Caucasus War and the destruction of Circassian sovereignty
- Deportation, exile, and the formation of the Circassian diaspora
- The 21 May Day of Mourning: history and memory
- Circassia, the Black Sea coast, and Russian imperial conquest
Historical Themes
Homeland and Society
Resources in this section examine Circassian social, political, and cultural life in the Northwest Caucasus before and during the period of imperial expansion.
War, Conquest, and Genocide
This section focuses on the Russian-Caucasian War, the destruction of Circassian sovereignty, mass violence, deportation, and the Circassian Genocide.
Exile and Diaspora
This section explores the forced displacement of Circassians and the formation of Circassian communities across the Ottoman Empire, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
Memory and Recognition
This section examines how Circassian history is remembered, commemorated, denied, or politicized in the present.
Why This History Matters
Circassian history is not only a record of past events. It remains central to contemporary questions of identity, memory, justice, diaspora, homeland, and political recognition. By presenting Circassian history across local, regional, and global contexts, this section seeks to support public understanding, academic engagement, and informed discussion of the Circassian world.
Home › Center for Circassian Studies › Genocide Recognition Dossier › Historical Background
