“On December 12, in the afternoon, at 3 o’clock, the Alash Autonomy was born, and its name was ceremonially announced. A grand white yurt was erected for the children of the Six Alash, and the Alash flag was raised. Scattered Kyrgyz-Kazakh communities gathered together, and stateless people became a nation. These historic words, published in the Saryarqa newspaper, vividly illustrated the significance of the Alash Movement.
The Alash Movement, which emerged in the early 20th century, was a major national liberation movement aimed at preserving the independence and sovereignty of the Kazakh people. The primary goals of the Alash intellectuals were to resist the colonial policies of the Russian Empire, protect national culture, language, religion, and land.
A crucial milestone in Kazakh history was the establishment of the Alash Party during the First All-Kazakh Congress held in July 1917. Later, in December 1917, at the Second All-Kazakh Congress held in Orenburg, the Alash Autonomy was proclaimed to defend the national interests of the Kazakh people. This congress outlined the autonomy’s borders, governance system, and political and social directions. National leaders like Alikhan Bukeikhan, Akhmet Baitursynuly, and Mirzhakyp Dulatuly were recognized as future leaders of the new state.
The founders of the Alash Autonomy aimed to protect equality and the rights of the people based on democratic principles. The national platform of the Alash Party was founded on five key principles:
•Land, land, and land;
•All wealth must serve the Kazakh state;
•A national-democratic state modeled on Japan, relying on independent science and traditional laws;
•Autonomy for the Kazakh regions;
•Education reform.
The Alash Movement played a pivotal role in awakening the national consciousness of the Kazakh people and guiding them toward independence. Although the movement faced repression by Soviet authorities in the 1930s, its ideas were revived after Kazakhstan gained independence. Today, the historical significance of the Alash Movement is highly valued as a symbol of the Kazakh people’s struggle for freedom.”
