This article focuses on the development of Azerbaijan ethnic identity since the occupation of North Azerbaijan from Russian Empire. However, it gives special attention to the Soviet era, which gave rise to the Azerbaijani ethnic consciousness. The author argues that although the Soviet Union was a socialist state that strove to diminish nationalism in the republics, the Southern Azerbaijan problem provided a perfect tool for controlling Iran and spreading socialist ideas throughout the Caucasus. As a result, like earlier Tsarist governments, the Soviet regime used Azerbaijani nationalism as a foreign policy instrument towards Iranian Azerbaijan. Particularly in the post-World War II period, a number of institutions were established by Moscow in order to stimulate a national liberation movement among Iranian Azerbaijanis. Ironically, this policy contributed to the development of a distinctive Azerbaijani ethnic identity among Soviet Azerbaijanis, rather than their Iranian brothers. Within this framework, the study examines the historical development of the ethnic identity of Azerbaijani. Consequently, the article’s main argument is that despite very different aims, the Soviet Union’s policies nourished Azerbaijani nationalism and Azerbaijani consciousness.

This article focuses on the development of Azerbaijan ethnic identity since the occupation of North Azerbaijan from Russian Empire. However, it gives special attention to the Soviet era, which gave rise to the Azerbaijani ethnic consciousness. The author argues that although the Soviet Union was a socialist state that strove to diminish nationalism in the republics, the Southern Azerbaijan problem provided a perfect tool for controlling Iran and spreading socialist ideas throughout the Caucasus. As a result, like earlier Tsarist governments, the Soviet regime used Azerbaijani nationalism as a foreign policy instrument towards Iranian Azerbaijan. Particularly in the post-World War II period, a number of institutions were established by Moscow in order to stimulate a national liberation movement among Iranian Azerbaijanis. Ironically, this policy contributed to the development of a distinctive Azerbaijani ethnic identity among Soviet Azerbaijanis, rather than their Iranian brothers. Within this framework, the study examines the historical development of the ethnic identity of Azerbaijani. Consequently, the article’s main argument is that despite very different aims, the Soviet Union’s policies nourished Azerbaijani nationalism and Azerbaijani consciousness.

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Azerbaijan, Turkey, Soviet Union, Iran, Ethnic Identity, Foreign Policy, Azerbaijani Nationalism