Their History... The Chechens are a Muslim group that has lived in the Caucasus mountains. in the late 18th century Chechnya became a part of the Russian Empire, but never once did they accept the change in rule and the military forces. During the collapse of the Soviet Union (USSR) in 1991 they were able to make away with independence on November 2, 1991 but that was never recognized by the Russian Federation. Meanwhile, leadership was taken up by Dzhokhar Dudayev, and he started the Chechen Revolt. The Chechens practiced Guerrilla warfare and during a airstrike Dudayev was killed. The role of leadership was taken over by Zelimkhan Yandar-biyer who established a peace treaty. In 1997 elections were held and Aslan Maskhadov became president. However rumors halted his reign few years later and Akhmad Kadyrov took control of the new republic. The Russians never quite let go of the territory that they still think of as theirs.
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A treaty on peace and principles of mutual relations between the russian federation and the chechen republic of ichkeria has been signed today, on may 12, 1997.
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SOCIALIn November 1990, Dzhokhar Dudayev was elected head of the Executive Committee. Chechnya helped in WWII to invade the German Nazis. The country was a separate republic and Russia did not like that idea.
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POLITICALChechnya has gone through many leaders. Either through the military, their religion, or through government. This is because they have been sought after by the Russians. Religion gave them hope, military gave them the power, and finally, the government gave them a voice.
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ECONOMICOriginally Chechnya's economy was largely agriculture and sheep farmers, and there was no production of manufactured items, but oil fields in Grozny became a center of industry. Their economy collapsed during the wars, and had an effect on the Russian economy. During the 1990's a lot of financial crimes were committed using Chechen financial organizations. Smuggling and bartering still continue to be a big part of Chechnya's economy.
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