Armenian claims to Nakhchivan and its impact to the historical geography of the region (1918–1924s years)

signed an agreement on October 13, 1921, between the three South Caucasus republics. The contract consisted of 20 articles and 3 annexes. A number of provisions of this treaty were consistent with the relevant articles of the Moscow Treaty. In general, this document was rejecting unequal rights, forcible contracts, and the Sevr treaty. Article 5 of the agreement was directly related to the fate of Nakhchivan. Thus, the Moscow and Kars treaties also resolved Nakhchivan's autonomy status.

The main goal of the research.
To investigate and reveal the armenian claims to Nakhchivan and its impact to the historical geography of the region (1918-1924s years). It is no coincidence that the historical geography of Nakhchivan is selected as a separate research object. This land, which has a special place in the history of the Azerbaijani people, has undergone significant changes over the centuries in terms of whether administrative -territorial, or employment, national and social composition, economic life and etc. In order to track the dynamics of these changes, it is necessary to identify the factors that contribute to these changes.
The investigated level of the theme.
The topic discussed has not been fully investigated so far from the historical and geographical point of view. Although the historical geography and administrative and territorial structure of different regions of Azerbaijan have been studied separately, the subject has not been studied systematically. However, from the historical point of view, investigations by I.Hajiyev, V.Gafarov, I.Musayev, M.Qasimli, I.Atnur and others were conducted.
The method of the research.
During the research, we used a method of research, comparative, and mutual analysis.
The Ottoman state and Nakhchivan.
After the overthrow of the Tsarism in Russia on February 27, 1917, as in all parts of the empire, there was a dichotomy in Nakhchivan. On the one hand, provisional government has been established in the city by the village committees of village committees and public organizations, on the other hand, the soviets of the deputates of workers and soldiers in Nakhchivan, Soldiers' Soviets were organized at Julfa, as well as at the Shahtakhti railway station.
The Special South Caucasus Committee, established on March 9, 1917, began to establish executive committees of the provisional government's agencies throughout the South Caucasus, including Azerbaijan. In the summer of 1917, the creation local governments of the provisional government in Nakhchivan was completed.
In February 1918, the Transcaucasia Commissariat (replaced by the Special Transcaucasian Commitee on November 11, 1917) was replaced by a nationalist and auxiliary advocate for replacing the Transcaucasia Seas (legislative body) and dividing the Transcaucasia into independent states made musavats and dashnaks joint activities impossible [11, p. 9]. Azerbaijan People Republic the new sovereign state, created in May 1918 in the Muslim East, has lived and worked in difficult conditions for 23 months.
This Republic had to fight along with Russia in the vise of the political and economic policies of the great powers of the world -the USA, England and France, he has done all he can to maintain his sovereignty, and has faced many complex problems on this way. Under the pressure of these states, on May 29, 1918, the National Council of Azerbaijan was forced to decide on the issue of Iravan to the armenians in order to maintain their sovereignty while discussing the border problem between Azerbaijan and Armenia and he considered this decision a "historic necessity", a "unavoidable disaster" for heartbreak. During the Azerbaijan People Republic, neighboring countries made a number of territorial claims against Azerbaijan. At that time, its territory was 113.895, 97 sq.km. Its 97,296,67 sq. km was undeniable, and 16,598,30 sq. km covered disputed areas [2, p. 6].
Azerbaijan People Republic has been struggling in the most difficult conditions to preserve the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, using all opportunities and trying to solve the fateful issues. To resolve such issues, the Treaty of Friendship was first signed on June 4, 1918, between the Ottoman empire and the Republic of Azerbaijan. It was the first treaty signed by the Azerbaijan People Republic with any foreign state. The second article of the Batumi Treaty sets the border between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia [1, p. 1-3]. According to the Batumi contract, Azerbaijan also suffered territorial losses. According to the agreement, the Sharur section of the Sharur-Daralayaz province and the Nakhchivan ГРАНІ Том 23 № 3 2020 province, except for Ordubad, were transferred to Turkey.
In addition, the Gamarly, Uluhanli and Vedibasar regions of the Iravan province were transferred to Turkey [7, p. 85]. Academician I. Hajiyev touched upon the terms of the Batum Treaty more broadly and accurately. He wrote: "Turkey has demanded a number of new territories and privileges in exchange for the casualties on the battlefield. These demands include the Axiska and Akhalkalak regions of the Tbilisi province, the Alexandropol (Gumru) and Surmali regions of the Iravan province, the Sardarabad part of the Echmiadzin province, the Kamarli (Garnibasar), Ulughanli (Zangibasar) which consist of the southern and southwestern parts of the Iravan province, the Sharur part of the Sharur-Daralayaz province, the province of Nakhchivan, except Ordubad region, as well as the Kars-Alexandropol-Julfa railway. In addition, during the war against England, Turkey should have been granted the right to use the entire Transcaucasian railway [5, p. 35].
The Ottoman empire began to acquire the territories it had acquired under the Batum Treaty. On July 20, 1918, the Ottoman army defeated the armenian resistance and entered Nakhchivan.
Thus, the Turkish flag was waved in Nakhchivan. On August 15, 1918, these lands were officially occupied by a declaration issued by the Ottoman sultan Mehmed Vahidedin according to the "Eveliy-i Selase".
On September 14 of the same year a decision was made to establish governing bodies in the region. According to this decision, Batum province established including Kars, Erdahan, Batum and surrounding areas (Nakhchivan was included into the Ottoman territories under the Batum agreement-N.A.) [7, p. 87]. Nakhchivan region entered Batumi province as the part of the Kars liva.
After the reconciliation of Mudros in 1918, the Ottoman forces were forced to leave Nakhchivan on 11 November. The local population declared the establishment of the Araz-Turkic Republic in November 1918 to protect the region against armenian aggression. The Araz-Turkic Republic, operating until March 1919, did not allow the Nakhchivan region to be occupied by the armenians [6]. Since the Araz-Turkish Republic is the subject of an other research , we do not intend to dwell on it.
Nakhchivan general governorship. It is very interesting that while the Araz-Turkic Republic still existed, the Azerbaijani government established the Nakhchivan general governorship on February 28, 1919, based on the proposals of M. Mirbagirov and the provisional government of Nakhchivan, B. Nakhchivanski [2, p.12]. On February 28, 1919, the general governorship of Nakhchivan was established by the decision of the Government of the People Republic of Azerbaijan (In the documents, this governorship is also known as "South-West Azerbaijan general-governorship" or "General-governorship of Nakhchivan, Ordubad, Sharur-Daralayaz and Vedibasar districts."). As it seen from the geographical names above, we see which territories were including to the Nakhchivan general-governorship. Corresponding member of ANAS H. Safarli writes that the governorship's capital was Nakhchivan and its territory covers Nakhchivan, Ordubad, Sharur-Daralayaz and Vedibasar lands [12, p. 28]. n addition the author notes that, despite the relatively short existence, the government of the People Republic of Azerbaijan united much of Nakhchivan's historic land under one general-governorship [12, p. 28]. Bahram Khan Nakhchivanski was appointed governor-general, Karim Khan Irevanski was appointed deputy vice president for military affairs, and Haji Mehdi Bagirov was appointed as his deputy on the civil problems. A sevenmember council was established under the general-governorship of Nakhchivan; on March 16, Bahram khan replaced Nakhchivanski Hashimbeyov, who was summoned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the People Republic of Azerbaijan, and then Samad bey Jamillinski was appointed governor-general of Nakhchivan.
The complexity of the political condition, and first of all, the failure of senior officials to come to Nakhchivan due to the provocative actions of the Armenian Dashnak government, created serious difficulties for the general-governorship. In spite of all this, the government of the People Republic of Azerbaijan did not allow the General-governorship to stop its activity at any moment. In August 1919, the residence of the general governorship, who was forced to act in Ordubad for a short time, was then relocated to the city of Nakhchivan. Although the ggeneralgovernorship of Nakhchivan was not able to operate more broadly and effectively because Although Nakhchivan was governed by the general-governorship obey the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, Nakhchivan was occupied by the British in January 1919. The British, expressing Nakhchivan and Sharur's given to the obey of the Armenian government, make condition the armenians to pursue their own occupation policy. Although the Dashnaks seized a part of Nakhchivan in June 1919 with the direct help and involvement of English officers, the military units of the Nakhchivan National Committee crushed Dashnak's regular army and expelled them from Nakhchivan. Local authorities were in the hands of the National Council [13, p. 33].
Gumri, Moscow and Kars treaties. On December 2, 1920, Turkey and the Armenian Dashnak government signed the Gumri agreement. According to this agreement, starting from the Lower Karasu river, the Araz river is located on the north of Kecachin, on the Arpachay river, then on the Karakhan valley, on the eastern part of the Great Kemli -Kyzyldash -Great Aghbaba. The final determination of the boundary line (two weeks after the date of signing) will be made by the mutual commission in place. Kuku mountain, 10282-8022, Hamasur mountain-8160, Gurdgulag village, Sayat Mountain -7868, Arpachay Houses -3080, Gormurlu Mountain -6930, Saraybulaq -8071, Ararat station, strip south of the village of Lower Karasuyun Armenia will not intervene in the polling station, then in the form of a referendum governing and in the territory covered by this referendum,a local government will be established under the auspices of Turkey. Government of Turkey: by the way of Sharur, Nakhchivan, Shahtakhti and Julfa will provide free transit issues between Iran, Baku and Armenia [3, p. 7].
The Turkish researcher I. Atnur also shared his views on the Gumri Agreement, and has given almost the same boundaries as the one we have mentioned the sources above.
I. Atnur writes: "After the offering the peace by the turkish side to armenians, peace talks between turkish and armenian representatives began on November 25 in Gumri. Negotiations between the two sides ended on December 2, and the same day, on the night of December 2 -3 at 24°°, the Gumri agreement was signed. Articles 2 and 12 of the 18-article contract are related to Nakhchivan. According to Article 2, the borders and status of Nakhchivan were defined as follows: Article 2: Kuku mountain 10282-8022 -Kamasor mountain 8160 -Gurdgulag village-Sayat mountain 7868 -Arpa river 3080 -Gomurlu mountain 6930 -Saray spring-8071. Ararat station, Araz river, Nakhchivan, Shakhtakhti, Sharur, south of the strip passing through Lower Karasu, will determine the form of government and Armenia will not intervene in the territory covered by this administration and local administration will be established aunder the rule of Turkey in the region; Article 12: The Turkish Government undertakes to ensure the security of the transit route between Armenia, Sharur-Nakhchivan-Shahtakhti and Julfa-Iran-Maku. The Nakhchivan borders, except for Develi and Arazdayan, have been defined by the Gumru agreement, as a result of the Great Vedi and surrounding areas, which have historically been the Turkic regions, Uluhanli, Gamarly and most importantly, the Nakhchivan until 1920. The northwestern border was Develi. Armenia will not intervene in Nakhchivan's post-referendum governance system and local administration will be established under the rule of Turkey [1, p. 390]. Academician I.Hajiyev affirms the boundaries as above [4]. Nakhchivanians and Turks objected to the Gumru treaties which was signed RSFSR and Soviet Armenia, and russians and armenians objected to the Gumru treaty, which was signed between Turkey and Dashnak Armenia in the late 1920s.
Although the position of Soviet Russia on the problems of Zangezur, Nakhchivan and Sharur-Daralayaz had changed many times, it had some secret plans and unambiguously coincided with the ideas of the armenians. But in the foreign policy plans of such a big country as Russia, it was hard to turn Lenin and Chicherin out of their notorious thoughts.
Notwithstanding the determination of N. Narimanov, he was remaining alone in the problem of armenian. Here, Turkey provided decisive assistance to the "victory" of N. Narimanov's position.
Thus began the Russian Turkish negotiations. The Russian-Turkish Conference began its work on February 27, 1921 in Moscow. The conference was postponed for a week because of disputes. To get out of the conference postponed, Yusuf Kamal decided to meet with more influential Soviet figures. Negotiations resumed after he met with I.Stalin on March 6. During the conference, G. Chicherin, who tried to extradite Nakhchivan to Armenia during the conference, suggested that he find a formula that would establish Nakhchivan's inevitable relationship with Azerbaijan and its use of autonomy under its protection. The Turkish delegation asked to submit the second part of the formula as follows: provided that Azerbaijan will not compromise this protection to any third country. " The borders of Nakhchivan had to be determined by military experts. Discussing the border between Nakhchivan and Armenia, the Russian delegation said that the line determined by the experts had exceeded the requirements of Azerbaijan, which did not want to carry out protection in any part of the Iravan province and accepted that the last border was a Gurd gate. For them, Although this issue is not of primary importance due to the close ties between the Soviet republics, it would be best to define the boundaries of the Sharur-Daralayz region by an ethnographic principle [8, p. 99]. The Russian delegation said that the border between Nakhchivan and Armenia could be considered temporary. If there is any change in the direct negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the future, then these changes cannot be regarded as a violation of Azerbaijan's obligation not to compromise its protectorate. The final settlement of the issue is difficult due to the population displacement, as it has recently occurred between these countries. The Turkish delegation underscored that this issue should be unambiguously resolved by Turkey's importance on the security of its eastern borders, and any negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia on this issue should be excluded. In this case, the Russian delegation said that the borders of Azerbaijan should be obeyed. Because changes in the border line from Moscow cannot be determined without inquiring from the concerned government and the public. At the suggestion of the Turkish delegation, it was decided to keep the Sharur-Daralayaz area in Nakhchivan. In the disputed part of the Iravan province, the border goes from Mount Gomurlu (6930) to the Saraybulag mountains (8071), the Ararat station. On March 16, 1921, the RSFSR and Turkey signed an agreement consisting of 16 articles and annexes. According to the third article, the parties agreed that Nakhchivan province would create an autonomous territory under the auspices of Azerbaijan, under the provisions of paragraph C of Annex 1 to this Agreement, provided that Azerbaijan would not compromise any third state.
During the negotiations on the signing of the Moscow Treaty on March 12, 1921, the Turkish delegation unanimously supported the idea of keeping the Sharur-Daralayz region in Azerbaijan as a whole. The Turkish side justified its position with the evidence that firstly there were known bloody events in the area and the need for Turkish troops to come to the region; Secondly, this circle was inhabited by Muslims. Because of this, the right of guardianship over that territory should be granted to Azerbaijan [9, p. 303]. With the participation of a representative of the Soviet Russia to clarify some of the territories following the Moscow treaty, Turkey signed an agreement on October 13, 1921, between the three South Caucasus republics. The contract consisted of 20 articles and 3 annexes.
A number of provisions of this treaty were consistent with the relevant articles of the Moscow Treaty. In general, this document was rejecting unequal rights, forcible contracts, and the Sevr treaty. The treaty covered a whole set of provisions on Kars and Batumi territorial issues, the provision of transport communications and the free movement of citizens, and the unwavering civil rights issues, regardless of national or religious affiliation. Much of it was devoted to the settlement of the refugee problem and the change of military territories, and the determination of the main directions of economic, cultural and consular relations between the negotiating parties.
Article 5 of the agreement was directly related to the fate of Nakhchivan. Here again the issue of keeping Nakhchivan within Azerbaijan and granting autonomy was fixed. Unlike the Moscow Treaty, Article 5 of the Kars Treaty sets out the parties agreeing on the status of Nakhchivan. These were the governments of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia. This article states that "the Turkish government, the Republic of Armenia and the Soviet Union agree to establish Nakhchivan province an autonomous territory under the auspices of Azerbaijan within the boundaries set out in Annex III of the Treaty".
The territory of Nakhchivan was defined within the boundaries set out in Annex III of the Treaty: "[Nakhchivan territory] starts from Urmia village, from there on a straight line to the Arazdeyen station (this station will remain for the Armenian SSR), then on a straight line to the west of Dashburun mountain (3142), thence to the river Dashburun (4108), mountain rod (6607 or 6587), "Rod." Going along the administrative boundaries of the Iravan and Sharur-Daralayaz provinces south of the spring (spring), from the height of 6629 to the coal (6839 or 6930), then to the height of 3080, to Sayatdagh (7868), to the village of Gurdgulag, Hamasur mountain (8160), to the height of 8022, Kukudagh (10282) and [finally] at the eastern administrative border of the former Nakhchivan province" [4; 8, p. 146].
Turkish sources note that according to the Kars treaty, Kars and Erdahan sanjags were handed over to Artvin Turkey in the southern part of Surmali and Batum east of the Araz river [1].

Conclusion.
The collapse of Tsarist Russia led to the recapture of the lost lands of the Ottoman state and a number of military and political events in the Caucasus. Different nations in the region have begun their activities to gain independence. However, Azerbaijani Turks, Georgians and