A Tale of Two Ethnic Groups: The Legacies of Colonialism, Communism, Imperialism and Nationalism in the Construction of Moroccan Amazigh and Russian Volga Tatar Identities

This presentation will argue that the impact of the four ideologies that led to the creation of minority identities in the Moroccan Protectorate and the USSR (Colonialism, Communism, Imperialism, and Nationalism) is extant... [ view full abstract ]

This presentation will argue that the impact of the four ideologies that led to the creation of minority identities in the Moroccan Protectorate and the USSR (Colonialism, Communism, Imperialism, and Nationalism) is extant today and still affecting intergroup dynamics within the Kingdom of Morocco and the Russian Federation. I’ve chosen to examine the years 1912-1956 in the Moroccan case and 1917-1933 in the Soviet case because they encompass pivotal moments in the history of both regions in terms of societal changes. 1917 is of course the year of the Russian Revolution and the 1930s were known as Stalin’s Great Retreat from some of the policies that had marked the previous decade. 1912 is the year the French first set up their protectorate in Morocco and 1956 is the year Morocco (re)gained its independence.  I will also present my findings on the current state of debates around identity especially as it is connected to language based on firsthand observations as well as primary sources such as newspapers and social media posts.  This thesis was inspired by my time abroad in Morocco and Russia, as well as by research I conducted in Moscow and Kazan last summer thanks to a generous grant through the Rohatyn Center for Global Affairs.