The State duma and the formation of new national political elites in the North Caucasus (1906-1917)

The aim of this research is to define the role of the very first Russian parliament in the formation of new political elite in the North Caucasus. The manifesto of October 17, 1905 along with guarantees of civil rights and freedoms, gave impetus to the creation of regional public and political organizations, the establishment and strengthening of national self-awareness and the national political elite of the peoples of Russia. The North Caucasus was no exception. Under the slogan of constitutional dialogue with the authorities, the local political elite sought to develop their own line of behavior. The article analyzes the activities of North Caucasian deputies in terms of solving the most pressing issues of social and economic life in the region. The scientific novelty of the research consists in considering the State Duma as the most important factor in the development of the political culture of the peoples of Russia. We conclude that the Duma presented new political opportunities to representatives of regions and peoples of the Empire. First of all, they could now get elected legally and legitimately for ethnic and regional representation in Russia's first Parliament; secondly, they got to represent their national interests from the Duma rostrum; and thirdly, it allowed them to establish ethnic and regional political organizations.