Application of Regional Approach to Studies of Kazakh History of the Imperial Period

Abstract

The author shows, that the regional approach allows involving in historiographical analysis interesting achievements of historical schools that for some time were kept in shadow, and synthesize the merits of large-scale theoretical interpretation of the past with necessary proof of the historical reality. It is impossible to disintegrate the politics of the Russian empire to Kazakhstan from its politics in central Asia in general. Historiography of Kazakhstan and peoples of Central Asia (Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Kyrgyzes, Karakalpaks, Tajiks, Turkmens) history studies is so interconnected and interlaid that it is scientifi cally inconsistent to study them separately.Th e peripheral location of Kazakhstan within the Russian empire space created certain economic and political contradictions in its development. No doubt, that Kazakhs and their ancestors within very long time could preserve traditional way of life, and relative political independence. They kept their identity among multi-ethnic population of Jochi ulus. Within the framework of the Russian empire Kazakhs partially preserved their political independence until mid XIX century. The fact that Kazakhs regularly rebelled against the Russian empire proves that annexation of Kazakhstan territory was not voluntary, if considerable social stratas and groups of Kazakh community actively fought against the Russian empire. Practically, within that period was stopped the process of Kazakh statehood buildup. As result of the ousting of Kazakhs from their native lands by the Russian migrants, the Kazakhs faced the real threat to transform into minority on their own homeland, that really happened in XX century.