The role of the Karabakh issue in restoration of Azerbaijani nationalism

Abstract

The articulation of an Azerbaijani national consciousness gained momentum throughout the 1970 and 1980s, but it had not yet matured into a liberation movement until the conflict between Armenian and Azeris suddenly erupted in 1988. Small socio-political groupings initially began to take shape in the late 1960s and early 1970s. However the Soviet structure did not allow Azerbaijani nationalist movement, Azerbaijani National Front was banned and its members were under KGB pressure. As a result popular support for nationalists remained limited. In the demise of the Soviet power in Azerbaijan the most significant factor in shaping Azerbaijan nationalism was the Armenian attacks and military failure in Karabakh. In this context, the article focuses on the Karabakh issue’s role in restoration in the early years.