Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic

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The Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, or Chechen-Ingush ASSR (Russian: Чечено-Ингушская АССР) was an autonomous republic within Russian SFSR. Its capital was Grozny.

As of 1979 census, its territory was 19,300 km² and population of 1,277,000: 611,000 being Chechens, 135,000 Ingushs, the rest being Russians and other.

[edit] History

In 1810, the historical Ingushetia voluntarily joined Imperial Russia, and in 1859 the historical Chechnya was annexed to Russia as well, during the long Caucasian War of 1817-1864.

After Russian Revolution of 1917, on January 20, 1921 Chechnya and Ingushetia joined the Soviet Mountain Republic. On November 30, 1922 the Chechen Autonomous Oblast of RSFSR was separated. On July 7, 1924 the Ingush Autonomous Oblast of RSFSR was separated. On January 15, 1944 they were joined into the Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Oblast of RSFSR, which was reorganized into Chechen-Ingush ASSR of RSFSR on December 5, 1936.

During the World War II, in 1942-1943 the republic was partly occupied by Nazi Germany while 40,000 Chechens fought in the Red Army. In 1944 the republic was disbanded and the population forcibly deported upon the accusations of collaboration with occupants and separatism.

The republic was restored in 1957.

In November 1990, the republic issued the declaration of its sovereignty and in May 1991 an independent Chechen-Ingush Republic was pronounced, which was divided into independent Chechnya and Ingushetia.