The idea of national independence in Nalchik district during the civil war

Introduction. The sociopolitical commotions of 1917 caused the rise of national liberation ideas in the North Caucasus. These ideas attracted representatives of various social groups of the indigenous population of the Nalchik district to the revolution. But the national question was intertwined with the task of seizing power and the economic interests of individual circles, which formed four options for solving the national question. It is necessary to pay attention to them and highlight the perspective of the picture of the events of the Civil War. Analysis. The article presents an analysis of the main variants of national ideas through the characteristics of the main characters of the dramatic period in Kabarda and Balkaria. This is, firstly, Shakmanov's policyof national neutrality, aimed at preventing armed uprisings and civilian casualties. Secondly, this is the program of Dautokov-Serebryakov, which offered complete self-determination of Kabarda, but could not stand the collaboration with Denikin's idea of a “great and indivisible Russia”. The third position, presented by Katkhanov, combined the national liberation aspirations of the people with religious consciousness. The fourth was manifested in the rhetoric of Kalmykov, who interpreted the early Bolshevik documents on the right ofnations to self-determination in the context ofa federation. Results. The complex of methods of objective historical analysis gives an understanding of some of the reasons that attracted various social groups, predominantlythe agrarian population of Kabarda and Balkaria, to participate in the Civil War. Authors' contribution. Development of the concept of the article, analysis of the results and general editing belongs to M.A. Tekueva. The introductorysection was written by M.Kh. Gugova. The analysis of the idea of national independence during the Civil War in the Nalchik region was carried out byA.A. Konovalov.