Abstract

Migration processes in Karakalpakstan in the 20th century: comparative-historical analysis.

Migration processes respond to the political and economic changes occurring in the country as a whole and in the republic in particular. Our research on the history of Karakalpakstan confirms this.

1. The tragedy of collectivization manifested itself in the unprecedented violence against the vast majority of peasant farmers. This resulted in migration to other regions. From the Khodjeyli district alone, 500 peasant farms migrated to other republics by 1931. From the Kipchak district alone, approximately 500 middle-class and 180 poor peasant farms migrated to Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in February-March 1931, and 460 farms from the Chimbay district. In the Tamdy district, 2,530 of 4,518 farms remained, and 1,988 farms with 50,000 head of livestock migrated outside of Karakalpakstan. Overall, Karakalpakstan lost over 55% of its productive livestock during the initial period of collectivization.

2. The next event in Karakalpakstan's history that impacted the demographic situation was the famine in Kazakhstan in the early 1930s. In total, 7,000 Kazakh nomadic households in Karakalpakstan at this time expressed a desire to settle in Karakalpakstan.

3. Another significant historical event that impacted demographics was the deportation of Koreans from the Far Eastern region. Archival data has established the exact number of Korean settlers who arrived in Karakalpakstan: approximately 1,600 Korean families, or approximately 7,500 people.

4. The impact of World War II on the demographic situation in Karakalpakstan is obvious. In this area, Karakalpak historiography still needs to conduct thorough and fundamental research.

5. The 1960s and 1970s were a time of "great" construction projects and the development of virgin lands, which led to the Aral Sea disaster. The consequences of this environmental disaster still impact migration patterns in Karakalpakstan.