The Caucasus Front during World War I (1914–1918): Türkiye and National-Political Mobilization in Azerbaijan

The First World War (1914–1918), one of the most destructive conflicts in modern history, has been widely examined in historical scholarship. Despite the extensive body of research devoted to the war, several aspects of its regional dynamics remain insufficiently studied. One such area concerns the intelligence activities and propaganda networks operated by the great powers during the conflict. This article examines these processes on the Caucasus Front and their influence on the socio-political environment of Azerbaijan. After Türkiye entered the First World War in 1914, the political situation in the territories of the Russian Empire inhabited by Muslim populations, including the South Caucasus, began to change significantly. Articles supporting Türkiye appeared in the regional press, while ideas associated with Turkism and Islamism spread among sections of the local population. At the same time, imperial authorities observed the growth of anti-Russian sentiments in the region. According to official administrative reports, these developments were associated with propaganda activities carried out by Ottoman emissaries who entered Azerbaijan through frontier regions. These issues were also reflected in confidential correspondence exchanged between imperial administrative and security institutions. The study is based primarily on archival documents, published documentary collections, and materials from the press of the period. Through the analysis of these sources, the article explores the influence of wartime propaganda, intelligence activity, and political mobilization on socio-political processes in Azerbaijan during the First World War