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Newly declassified documents from Kazakhstan's National Security Committee and Ministry of Internal Affairs are prompting historians to re-examine the Alashorda movement، uncovering new facets of this significant period in Kazakh history. These revelations، highlighted in a recent JURT YouTube channel segment، offer a fresh perspective on the national liberation struggle.

Continued Resistance After Alashorda's Dissolution

Contrary to some historical accounts، resistance against Soviet rule did not cease with the disbandment of Alashorda. Historian Kairbolat Nurbay، a Doctor of Historical Sciences and professor at the Kazakh Agro-Technical University، who has studied Kazakh history for over 35 years، notes that this opposition continued in various forms، often remaining outside official historical narratives for extended periods. His recent research focuses on the full rehabilitation of victims of the national liberation movement and political repression of the 1920s.

"If we look closely at the archival documents، it becomes clear that resistance did not disappear after the establishment of Soviet power. It continued in a hidden form، and although it went unnoticed، it did not stop،" states Professor Nurbay.

Roots of the National Liberation Movement

Professor Nurbay identifies the repressive policies of the Soviet government as the primary catalyst for the national liberation movement. Disenfranchisement، property confiscation، and persecution based on national identity fueled widespread public discontent.

"This was a hidden struggle for the creation of an independent state. The documents clearly mention the establishment of national organizations and parties. This was not a spontaneous، but an organized movement،" Nurbay explains.

Initial Hopes and Subsequent Disillusionment

In the early years، a segment of the Kazakh elite initially hoped for dialogue and reforms with the new government، seeking cooperation. However، as the researcher points out، unfulfilled promises led to a breakdown in this relationship and ultimately fueled opposition.

"Many genuinely believed the Soviet government would make concessions. But when it became clear that promises would not be kept and the people were being deceived، the national liberation movement began،" the historian recounts.

Secret Centers and Uprisings

Throughout the country، clandestine centers، illegal congresses، and regional organizations operated، often masking their activities as tribal or religious structures.

"Officially، it appeared as inter-tribal strife، but in reality، it was a hidden struggle for the creation of an independent Turkic-Muslim state،" he emphasizes.

According to the historian، years of covert activity laid the groundwork for the large-scale uprisings of 1929–1931، a period coinciding with the rise of Philip Goloshchekin and forced collectivization.

"The largest uprising was the Sozak rebellion، where headquarters were established، khans were elected، and a rebel army was formed. This was not a spontaneous، but a well-prepared movement،" says the Doctor of Historical Sciences.

The Rationale Behind Repressions

Discussing the mass repressions of 1937–1938، Kairbolat Nurbay asserts they were a direct response to the scale and intensity of the hidden resistance.

"The Soviet government did not act blindly. Intelligence work was conducted، and reports were made to Stalin. This fear، stemming from the widespread national liberation movement، led to the harshness of the repressions،" he states.

Lessons from History

The scholar believes that understanding these events is crucial not only for academia but also for contemporary society.

"This is a great lesson. Both the authorities and the people must learn from it. Authorities must listen to public opinion. History without truth is not history،" concludes Professor Kairbolat Nurbay.

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