Question

Why did people in Central Asia respond to the Russian Revolution in different ways?

Answer 1

The Bolsheviks controlled most of the former Russian empire by January 1920. People in Central Asia responded positively and with enthusiasm to the February Revolution of 1917 because of the following reasons
(i) The revolution freed them from the oppression of Tsar's regime and strengthened their hopes for autonomy.
(ii) They responded with fear to the October Revolution of 1917, because the autocracy of Tsar was replaced by the autocracy of Bolsheviks.
(iii) In Khiva in Central Asia, Bolshevik colonist brutally massacred local nationalists in the name of defending socialism.
(iv) In this situation, people in Central Asia were confused about the real nature of Bolshevik Government.
Due to these reasons and situations, people of Central Asia responded to the Russian Revolution differently.