CHANGING THE IMPERIAL PATTERN: LIFE IN THE SOUTH-WEST GEORGIA UNDER THE OTTOMANS AND THE RUSSIANS (1870-1914)

Abstract

The following common features can be traced for the Ottoman and the Russian Empires starting from the 70-s of the 19th c. onwards:1) Byzantinism – both Empires saw themselves as heir of “Kingdom of the Romans”, i.e. East European hegemonic power, former rapidly regressing, from this point of view, latter yet being desirable protector;2) Continental imperialism; these multinational Empires comprised both, Europe and Asia. European and Asian provinces had different statuses, Asians being beyond the favour as usually;3) Both metropolises (Eastern Thrace and Anatolia, for the Ottoman Empire, and Russia itself, for the Russian Empire) still possessed prominent agricultural sections;4) At a certain degree, both metropolises used the state socialistic way to run the economics (state property was especially prominent in the Russian industry);5) Moderate rates of modernization.