Azerbaijan became a member of the world community

The news of the de facto recognition of Azerbaijan"s independence sent by the Azerbaijani representatives in Paris reached the government shortly afterward. On January 18, the head of the Azerbaijani military mission to Italy, General Usubov, sent a telegram to the head of the Azerbaijani government and the defense minister informing them that on January 17, the Italian foreign ministry had handed him the decision concerning Azerbaijan"s recognition. On January 12, upon receiving Oliver Wardrop"s telegram, the government called an emergency meeting. Special events were planned to celebrate this important development, the recognition of Azerbaijan"s independence by the Paris Peace Conference. On January 13, the government officially released the information and, on January 14, a decree on carrying out celebrations throughout Azerbaijan was issued. Rallies and demonstrations took place in the capital city. The government decided to hold a military parade and to organize a ceremonial gathering at the Azerbaijani parliament. January 14 was declared a holiday in all of Azerbaijan. On January 14, a message was issued from Prime Minister Usubbeyov "To the Citizens of Azerbaijan." It said, "Citizens! On the 28th of May of the year 1918, Azerbaijan was proclaimed independent by the decision and determination of its people. In the course of fierce battles and calamities there emerged a republic. Under many disturbances and disasters, the whole country suffered from enmity and sabotage. A nation that has determined its destiny and realized its sacred right soon put an end to the disturbances and successfully built the basis for statehood. Despite obstacles on our way to putting our ideals in practice, Azerbaijan has been successful at overcoming its many ordeals with honor. A nation that has proven itself worthy of an independent life and selfadministration has solemnly succeeded in establishing and maintaining a free and democratic Republic of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani independence has been regarded favorably by a vote of the Allied powers. Azerbaijan"s rightful inclusion in the family of Western nations is the brightest day in its history. From this day on, as we progress spiritually and morally, we will undoubtedly be demonstrating the power of our nation"s spirit from day to day. Whatever hindrance or evil we face, the government believes in its citizens" unanimous vigilance for the sake of a free and independent motherland. Long live the independent Azerbaijani nation!"

On January 14, at 10 a.m., celebrations began in Baku. At 12 p.m. the ceremonial session of the parliament was opened. Apart from members of parliament, diplomatic representatives of Great Britain, Georgia, Estonia, and Poland participated. Hasan bey Aghayev, who chaired the session, opened it by giving the floor to Fatali khan Khoyski who had once again been appointed foreign minister on December 24, 1919. One of those who carried the burden of proclaiming Azerbaijan"s independence and struggling for its recognition by the major states, Khoyski said in his short congratulatory speech, The Azerbaijani nation proclaimed its independence on May 28, 1918. But it was not enough to simply proclaim it. It was important to prove to the whole world that we deserve an independent life. And in the past year and a half, the Azerbaijani people have proven to Europe that it can live independently and govern itself independently. Europe has believed in the living capacity of the Azerbaijani people and considered it necessary to recognize its independence. When Azerbaijan"s first government was organized, I was at its head. And now I feel very delighted to inform you about our republic"s recognition.

Hasan bey Aghayev mentioned in his speech that the Entente had recognized Azerbaijan"s independence after 19 months of its existence. This is not just our joy; this is the joy of the entire Turkic race. It was necessary to prove that we are worthy of independent existence. Europe has believed in our nation"s capability as seen through its representatives in our country and it has recognized our independence. We have achieved this at the cost of many sacrifices. Afterward, he read congratulatory telegrams sent by the National Assembly of Georgia, the Armenian government, the Muslim National Council of Georgia, the German Council of the Caucasus, the Poles living in Azerbaijan, the Norwegian consul, the Crimean Tatars living in Azerbaijan, and others. Congratulatory speeches were delivered by Mahammad Emin Rasulzade, Aslan bey Safikurdski, Samad agha Aghamalioglu, M. A. Guchman, S. A. Vonsovich, A. Malkhazian, and V. Bakaradze. The Azerbaijani delegates to Paris translated the full content of Rasulzade"s fiery congratulatory speech at the historical session and published it in the information bulletin. At the end of the session, Minister of Justice Khalil bey Khasmammadov read the government"s decision to declare amnesty on the account of the recognition of Azerbaijan"s independence. After the ceremonial session of parliament, Khoyski organized a reception that was attended by Prime Minister Usubbeyov, Deputy Chairman of the parliament Aghayev, all ministers and members of parliament, and foreign missions to Baku. Khoyski delivered a congratulatory speech on this historic event in the life of Azerbaijanis. Independence festivities were also held in Ganja. The Azerbaijan newspaper reported, On January 13, an unofficial piece of news reached Ganja with regard to the recognition of Azerbaijan"s independence by the Allied powers at Versailles. Everyone was greeting each other with congratulations. Late in the day, an official telegram was received by the chief lawyer and the entire town cheered ... January 14 was an eventful day in Ganja. At one o"clock, an emergency meeting was called at the Ganja municipal office ... . The governor general of Ganja, Khudadat bey Rafibeyov, read an official telegram from the government first in Russian, then in Turkish. The happy telegram of affirmation was received with a storm of applause. After the deputy chairman of the municipality gave an opening speech, congratulations were delivered by Javad Akhundzade, Aslan bey Safikurdski, Mashadi Yusif Farzkhanov, Vali Khuluflu, and our beloved author Mr. Firudin bey Kocharli.

Many articles were published in Azerbaijani newspapers with regard to the recognition of Azerbaijan"s independence. On January 14, the official state newspaper Azerbaijan reported that starting on that day; the people of Azerbaijan and Georgia were admitted into the global family. The Istiglal (Independence) magazine published on January 18 said, A long-awaited celebration has come. A great event has taken place. Since the year before, the entire nation"s great battle of many ordeals has resulted in success. Our republic"s independence has been recognized by Europe, and not just by Europe, but perhaps by all major states that are determining the world"s fate ... . Due to the times in which we are living, we cannot quite organize celebrations on an appropriate scale ... . Let us picture ourselves fifty years from today: it may well be that we will be envied as a nation that was blessed to have emerged at such a glorious time. Yes, we can pride ourselves for celebrating this milestone at a time of great anxiety and courage. The recognition of independence by the world"s leading nations enabled Azeris to believe in their power and increased their hope for a better tomorrow. Concerning the recognition of Azerbaijan"s independence by the Allied powers at the Paris Peace Conference, Rasulzade wrote, Stripped of civil and political rights, not allowed anywhere near the government, an Oriental nation that languished from tyranny used the first opportunity to manifest itself as an example of decency by creating a cultured society counter to all hardships. Due to this manifestation, the Azerbaijan republic attracted the attention of the Allies and the world and entered the international process. The January 11 session of the Allied powers recognized the de facto independence of the Azerbaijan republic. From the republics established on the ruins of the Russian empire, Azerbaijan became the first Islamic one that gained Europe"s trust. This new Turkic state was the only Turkic republic in the whole Islamic world. Such a great and rewarding event is historic for both Azerbaijan and the entire Turkic world.

Thus, in addition to May 28 and September 15, 1918, a third great event had taken place in Azerbaijan"s fate and history. The recognition of Azerbaijan"s independence by the Paris Peace Conference opened unlimited opportunities for Azerbaijan"s integration into the international community and a wide network of cooperation. For this purpose, on January 29, 1920, the head of the Azerbaijani delegation, Topchubashov, and the head of the Georgian delegation, Nikolai Chkheidze, made a joint statement about their countries" efforts to defend themselves against Bolshevism. On February 19, both delegation heads sent a special letter to the U.S. ambassador in Paris urging Washington to concur with the Allied powers" decision to recognize the independence of Azerbaijan and Georgia. However, at that time, the United States was still undergoing a bitter transition from isolationism to internationalism, a process going back to the final stages of World War I. Woodrow Wilson, who is considered the initiator of that transition, met with much opposition from advocates of isolationism.

The Allied powers" determination that the only way they could assist Azerbaijan and Georgia was to provide them with weapons paved the way for the Bolshevik invasion. The Bolsheviks had managed to defeat Kolchak, Denikin, and other White Guard recipients of aid from the Allies. What was needed to defend the Caucasus was for the Allies to send troops to the region. Analysis of the political situation after Denikin"s defeat, the strengthening of Soviet Russia, and Armenian violence against Azerbaijanis at the beginning of 1920 leads to the conclusion that the Allies" January 19 decision to supply Azerbaijan and Georgia with weapons only provoked the Bolsheviks to initiate steps toward invading the region. Documents from the Allies" meeting indicate that a group of experts and professional military personnel headed by Marshal Ferdinand Foch considered it essential to send troops to Azerbaijan and Georgia. It was not until British Prime Minister David Lloyd George assumed leadership that pressure from politicians resulted in an incomplete decision. The dispatch of troops to Azerbaijan and Georgia had seemed so likely that for 2 weeks, Paris newspapers were reporting on a forthcoming military landing in the Caucasus. On January 31, Le Temps published statements by the Azerbaijani and Georgian representatives disclaiming these plans.

Beginning in the autumn of 1919, Soviet Russia closely observed developments in the Entente"s plans to send troops to Azerbaijan and Georgia. On January 26, the RSFSR People"s Commissariat of Foreign Affairs representative in Copenhagen, Maxim Litvinov, who had been engaged in negotiations with his British counterpart James O"Grady, sent a telegram to Georgy Chicherin informing him that Great Britain had dispelled rumors about an upcoming largescale landing of its troops in the Caucasus. British historian Edward Carr believed, and rightfully so, that the fine words said in Paris about the South Caucasus came to have no impact on the situation. Without foreign assistance and without an agreement regulating the relations between them, the independent states of the South Caucasus could not survive.

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the Ministry of Defense compiled a memorandum about Azerbaijan"s defense strategy and the needs of the Azerbaijani army and sent it to the Allied group of experts at the end of January. Along with stressing the historical importance of the recognition of Azerbaijan"s sovereignty, the document stipulated that unless Azerbaijan was equipped with modern and capable defense systems, all the previous achievements would be to no avail. The document pointed out that Azerbaijan was in need of political, moral, military, strategic, financial, and economic support from the Allies in order to strengthen its ability to defend itself. Considering that the enemy was most likely to attack from the north and the Caspian Sea, it was suggested that Denikin"s shrinking Volunteer Army should be moved out of Dagestan and that the Dagestanis should be assisted in their struggle. For its part, Azerbaijan declared its readiness to provide assistance to the Mountain Republic of the North Caucasus. The strengthening of Dagestan might have played an important role in Azerbaijan"s defense.