History of Georgia
The territory of Georgia has been inhabited since ancient times, as evidenced by the creation of the Georgian alphabet in the 3rd century BC. This unique script is one of the 14 writing systems recognized worldwide.
In the 6th century BC, the Aegrian or Colchian Kingdom emerged, uniting what is now Western Georgia. By the 4th century BC, the Kingdom of Iberia was established in Eastern Georgia.
In Western Georgia, four principalities were formed: Lazki, Apshili, Abazgi, and Sanigi. Among them, the Principality of Lazka was particularly powerful, subjugating the others and establishing a new state called Lazica.
Georgia's "Golden Age" is often attributed to the 12th century, during the reign of Queen Tamar, a period marked by cultural, political, and economic flourishing.
For centuries, Georgia faced numerous adversaries, including the Mongols, Persians, Byzantines, Arabs, Turks, Iranians, North Caucasian tribes, and internal Georgian princes.
In the 13th century, the Mongols conquered Georgia. The country briefly reunited in the 14th century under the reign of Giorgi "the Great." However, by the century's end, Temur-Leng's eight invasions devastated Georgia, leading to its collapse.
By 1490, Georgia had fragmented into several kingdoms: Kartli, Kakheti, Imereti, and the Principality of Asamtse.
In the 16th century, the Kingdom of Imereti was further divided into Samegrelo, Guria, Abkhazia, and Svaneti. In 1555, the Treaty of Amasya split Georgia between Iran and the Ottoman Empire: Kartli and Kakheti fell under Iranian control, while Western Georgia and the Principality of Asamtse were ceded to the Ottomans.
In 1633, Khan Rostom ascended to the throne as King of Georgia. By the 18th century, the kingdoms of Kartli and Kakheti united and achieved independence from Iranian control. In 1783, the Treaty of Georgievsk established the Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti as a Russian protectorate.
In 1801, Russia abolished the Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti, annexing it as a province. This annexation was later acknowledged by other Georgian kingdoms, ultimately leading to the complete dissolution of Georgia’s independence.
As Russia expanded its influence, it also reclaimed Georgia’s previously lost territories. However, following the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1918, Georgia declared its independence, marking the establishment of the First Republic.
In 1921, Soviet Russia occupied Georgia, leading to its incorporation into the Soviet Union. Subsequently, three autonomous political entities were established: the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia (formally autonomous since 1931), the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, and the Autonomous Region of South Ossetia.
Georgia regained independence in 1991, with Zviad Gamsakhurdia becoming its first president. However, by late 1991 and early 1992, a coup supported by military forces overthrew Gamsakhurdia’s government in Tbilisi.
In 1992, Eduard Shevardnadze assumed leadership as head of the State Council. That same year, a conflict erupted in Abkhazia, where Abkhazians, supported by mercenaries and Russian troops, waged war against Georgia. The conflict ended in September 1993 with a Georgian defeat, leading to significant territorial and political challenges.
In 2000, Eduard Shevardnadze was re-elected president, but Georgia faced significant political and economic challenges. On November 23, during a meeting facilitated by Russia’s Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Shevardnadze resigned amid growing opposition protests.
His resignation led to the departure of other high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Internal Affairs. Nino Burjanadze, then Speaker of Parliament, assumed the role of acting president, while Zurab Zhvania became prime minister. These events, marking a shift in Georgia's political landscape, are collectively known as the "Rose Revolution."
On January 5, 2003, extraordinary presidential elections were held, resulting in Mikheil Saakashvili winning with 53.47% of the vote. However, tensions in Abkhazia and South Ossetia flared again in 2008. Supported by the Russian Federation, separatists gained control, leading to territorial losses for Georgia. The ensuing military conflicts caused severe economic and humanitarian crises, deepening the country’s challenges.
The "Rose Revolution" significantly weakened the authority of Aslan Abashidze in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, ultimately leading to his departure from Georgia. During this period, the national movement initiated a series of reforms and formalized Georgia’s decision to leave the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), with the process concluding on August 18, 2009. Georgia became the first nation to exit the CIS.
Meanwhile, the separatist governments of Abkhazia and South Ossetia declared independence, taking advantage of the shifting political landscape. Their independence was recognized only by the Russian Federation, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Nauru. Despite persistent protests from Georgia, these regions remain under the control of Russian military forces.
On October 1, 2012, parliamentary elections were held in Georgia, marking a peaceful transition of power and demonstrating the country’s commitment to democratic processes.
