More Trouble for Chechnya

For over a decade, the republic of Chechnya has struggled for independence from the Russian Federation.

The Chechens, who call themselves Nokhchi, are an indigenous people of the North Caucasus Mountains, composed of Muslim tribes. Russia has tried its best to control the area since the late 1700s.

More recently, following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, fighting between the federal Russian military and militant Chechen separatists has been intense and tragic, leaving cities in ruins and tens of thousands of people dead.

Over the last two years, Chechnya has been slowly returning to some degree of stability. Many residents who had fled from Russian troops have returned, and children are back in school.

But the assassination of the republic's president, Akhmad Kadyrov, on Sunday, May 9, 2004, now makes the republic's progress toward peace and security much more uncertain.

Kadyrov had formerly been a Chechen rebel, until switching sides in support of Russia in the late 1990s. He was elected president last fall, but residents here generally believe the results were rigged and many view him as a traitor to the Chechen people.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed revenge against the rebels and may be worried that the successful assassination will fuel more rebel attacks and force Russia to take stronger military action there.

So this week, you're going to learn more about the history of this region and its people, including its ties to Russia and its struggle for autonomy.

A Troubling History

Let's start by looking at the Conflict in Chechnya at PBS's Online Newshour. Read the introduction at the top of the page, then jump to the Map for a brief orientation of the region.

What language do most residents speak? What religion does the majority practice? What are Chechnya's primary resources?

Now read about some of the area's Early History. What exactly makes this such a valuable region that Russia has worked to control it for so many years? What happened during Joseph Stalin's leadership?

Next, review the Timeline of the modern conflict, beginning in 1991. What led to the First Chechen War of 1995-1996? What motivated President Maskhadov to introduce Islamic Sharia law, and how did Russia react? What year did Vladimir Putin become Russia's acting president?

As you'll soon discover, the Second Chechen War has brought further violence to the republic and changes in its government.

For a more in-depth review of these critical years, read more about The Separatist Movement (click through all five pages) and The Moscow Perspective.

In what ways did these changes affect local residents? How did Kadyrov's appointment influence events? Why did Putin label the attackers as "terrorists"? Why do you think he showed more understanding toward the Chechens just several months later?

Surviving in Grozny

So far, you've focused on the waves of change in the region's political realm, but, certainly, this turmoil has severely affected the personal lives of everyone living there, as well.

At the PBS site, WideAngle: Greetings from Grozny, two women tell their stories about how life has changed for them over the years here.

Through these Personal Narratives, meet Elza Duguyeva: The Aluminum Queen and Zhenya Morozova: The Russian Woman.

In what ways has the war affected the traditional ways of Chechen women and men? How has it affected fundamental survival, as well as economic and educational progress?

Why exactly did Russians get "sent" to Chechnya? Why do you think there is a clear distinction in which jobs Russians and Chechens work? How do the Chechens and Russians living in Grozny treat each other and why?

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Newspaper Activities

In a current issue of Targetnewspaper find stories about how Russia and Chechnya are dealing with the death of President Kadyrov. What is Vladimir Putin reacting? Is he appointing someone, at least temporarily, to oversee the republic's government? If so, what relationship does that person have with Russia's federal government? Does he have any roots or had any other previous ties to Chechnya or to Islam? How are Chechens generally reacting to the changes? What about "Chechenified" Russians?