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When and why did Georgia become part of the Russian Empire?

The Treaty of Georgievsk, 1801 and the annexation of western Georgia.

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Short answer

In 1783 the Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti signed the Treaty of Georgievsk with Russia, seeking protection from Persia and the Ottoman Empire. In 1801 Russia abolished the kingdom and annexed eastern Georgia, and western Georgian lands joined the empire during the 19th century. Georgia remained part of the empire until 1918, when it declared independence.

History of Georgia: from the empire to today faq-cover-facts-about-georgia.png

Why

  1. In 1795 Persian forces sacked Tbilisi, and the help promised under the treaty did not come.
  2. The Kingdom of Imereti joined the empire in 1810, Guria, Mingrelia and Svaneti later, and Adjara in 1878.
  3. On 26 May 1918 the Democratic Republic of Georgia was proclaimed; it is now Independence Day.

Details

In 1921 Georgia became part of the Soviet Union, and on 9 April 1991 it restored its independence. Under the empire the Georgian Church lost its autocephaly, regaining it in 1917.

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Sources

Historical dates follow commonly accepted historians' versions.

History of Georgia: from the empire to today