The March 1918 Genocide and the Formation of the Independence Idea in Azerbaijani Political Thought

Abstract.Relevance. The article examines the March 1918 genocide as one of the decisive turning points in the political self-awareness of the Azerbaijani people and the formation of the national independence ideology. The events that took place in Baku and other regions fundamentally changed the political landscape of the South Caucasus and confronted the Azerbaijani society with the necessity of reassessing its political future.Purpose. The aim of the research is to determine how the March 1918 massacres influenced the transformation of political behaviour and ideological priorities of Azerbaijani national forces, especially the “Musavat” Party, and how these events accelerated the transition from the concept of autonomy within Russia to the idea of full state independence.Results. It has been established that the genocide committed by the Bolshevik–Dashnak coalition not only caused large-scale human losses but also triggered a profound psychological and political shift within Azerbaijani society. The massacres revealed the incompatibility of Azerbaijani national interests with the Bolshevik governance model and demonstrated that security, self-governance, and cultural survival required an independent political structure. It has been determined that after March 1918, the Musavat Party revised its ideological program, gradually abandoning federalist expectations and adopting the political paradigm of a sovereign Azerbaijani state. The results also show that the tragedy strengthened national solidarity, shaped a unified political will, and prepared the ideological foundation for the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.Conclusions. The March 1918 genocide served as a catalyst for the crystallization of the independence idea in Azerbaijani political culture. The events contributed to the formation of national unity and a renewed ideological system based on sovereignty, self-determination, and resistance to external domination. The study highlights that the genocide played a central role in shaping the philosophical and political basis of modern Azerbaijani statehood and remains a key component of national memory.