# Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic

> union republic of the Soviet Union

**Wikidata**: [Q130229](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q130229)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgian_Soviet_Socialist_Republic)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/georgian-soviet-socialist-republic

## Summary
The Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic, also known as Soviet Georgia or the Georgian SSR, was a union republic of the Soviet Union from 1921 until 1991. Located in the Caucasus region, it succeeded the Democratic Republic of Georgia and was eventually succeeded by the modern nation of Georgia, with Tbilisi serving as its capital.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: February 25, 1921
- **Dissolution**: January 1, 1991
- **Capital**: Tbilisi
- **Official Languages**: Georgian and Russian
- **Currency**: Soviet ruble
- **Motto**: "Proletarians of all countries, unite!" (Georgian: პროლეტარებო ყველა ქვეყნისა, შეერთდით!)
- **Predecessor**: Democratic Republic of Georgia
- **Successor**: Georgia
- **Status**: Union republic of the Soviet Union; also a republic of the Soviet Union and an administrative territorial entity
- **Legislature**: Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR (1938–1990)
- **Awards**: Order of Lenin, Order of the October Revolution, Order of Friendship of Peoples
- **Autonomous Republics**: Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (est. 1931), Adjarian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (est. 1921)
- **Flag Versions**:
  - Flag of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (1922–1937)
  - Flag of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (1937–1951)
  - Flag of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (1951–1990)
- **Emblem**: Emblem of the Georgian SSR.svg
- **Coordinates**: 41.7167° N, 44.7833° E
- **Newspaper**: Gürcüstan (Azerbaijani-language, est. 1921)

## FAQs
**When did the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic exist?**
The Georgian SSR was established on February 25, 1921, and was dissolved on January 1, 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

**What was the capital of the Georgian SSR?**
The capital city was Tbilisi, which also served as the capital of the preceding Democratic Republic of Georgia and the subsequent independent Georgia.

**What autonomous republics were part of the Georgian SSR?**
The republic included the Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, established in 1931, and the Adjarian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, established in 1921.

**What currency was used in the Georgian SSR?**
The official currency was the Soviet ruble, which was used throughout the Soviet Union.

**What were the official languages of the Georgian SSR?**
The official languages were Georgian and Russian.

**What awards were bestowed upon the republic?**
The Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic received the Order of Lenin, the Order of the October Revolution, and the Order of Friendship of Peoples.

## Why It Matters
The Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic represents a critical phase in the history of Georgia, marking its integration into the Soviet system for seven decades. It played a significant role in the industrialization of the region, exemplified by the founding of major industrial centers like Rustavi. The republic's cultural and political landscape during this period produced notable figures in literature, film, and politics who influenced both Soviet and Georgian history. Its transition from a sovereign democratic republic to a Soviet republic and back to an independent state highlights the geopolitical shifts of the 20th century in the Caucasus region.

## Notable For
- **Industrial Development**: Founding of Rustavi in 1948 as a major industrial city.
- **Cultural Production**: Creation of significant literary works like "Granny, Iliko, Illarion and I" by Nodar Dumbadze and films such as "The Wishing Tree" (1976) and "The Suram Fortress" (1922).
- **Political Figures**: Being the birthplace or operational base of prominent Soviet politicians like Lavrentiy Beria.
- **Media**: Publishing the Azerbaijani-language newspaper "Gürcüstan" starting in 1921.
- **Symbolism**: Utilizing three distinct versions of the national flag between 1922 and 1990 to reflect changing political eras.
- **Autonomous Regions**: Maintaining the administrative structure of Abkhazia and Adjara as autonomous republics within its borders.

## Body

### History and Political Status
The Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic was established on February 25, 1921, succeeding the Democratic Republic of Georgia. It was initially part of the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic (1922–1936) before becoming a distinct union republic within the Soviet Union. The republic existed until its dissolution on January 1, 1991, after which it was replaced by the independent nation of Georgia. Throughout its existence, it functioned as a top-level political division and an administrative territorial entity of the Soviet state.

### Geography and Administrative Divisions
The republic was located in the Caucasus region with coordinates at 41.7167° N latitude and 44.7833° E longitude. Its administrative structure included the Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, established in 1931, and the Adjarian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, established in 1921. The territory comprised numerous municipalities and regions, including Akhaltsikhe, Akhalkalaki, Poti, Rustavi, Gori, Kutaisi, and Tbilisi. Cities like Rustavi were founded during the Soviet era (1948) to drive industrial growth, while others, such as Poti, served as critical port centers on the Black Sea.

### Symbols and National Identity
The national symbols of the Georgian SSR evolved over time. The republic utilized three different flags: the first from 1922 to 1937, the second from 1937 to 1951, and the third from 1951 to 1990. Its official emblem was the "Emblem of the Georgian SSR.svg." The state motto was "Proletarians of all countries, unite!" (Georgian: პროლეტარებო ყველა ქვეყნისა, შეერთდით!). The official languages were Georgian and Russian, reflecting the republic's cultural and political integration into the Soviet Union.

### Economy and Infrastructure
The economy of the Georgian SSR was integrated into the Soviet system, utilizing the Soviet ruble as its currency. Significant industrial development occurred during this period, particularly in metallurgy and manufacturing, centered in cities like Rustavi and Zestaponi. The port city of Poti served as a major hub for maritime trade on the Black Sea. Infrastructure projects included the development of municipal administrative centers across regions such as Kakheti, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, and Kvemo Kartli.

### Culture, Society, and Notable Figures
The republic was a center for cultural production in the Georgian and Russian languages. Notable literary works included "Granny, Iliko, Illarion and I" by Nodar Dumbadze. The film industry produced works such as "The Wishing Tree" (1976) directed by Tengiz Abuladze, "The Suram Fortress" (1922) by Ivan Perestiani, and "The Murder of General Gryaznov" (1921). The Azerbaijani-language newspaper "Gürcüstan" was published in Tbilisi starting in 1921.

Prominent individuals associated with the republic included:
- **Politicians**: Lavrentiy Beria (Soviet politician and NKVD police chief), Alexander Svanidze (Georgian Soviet politician), Roman Gotsiridze, Tina Khidasheli, and Iosif Baratov.
- **Writers and Intellectuals**: Zaza Burchuladze, Gerzel Baazov, Pavle Ingorokva, and Nino Tkeshelashvili.
- **Artists and Performers**: Sergo Zakariadze (actor), Dodo Antadze (actor and director), and Karo Zakarian (conductor and composer).
- **Athletes**: Vladimer Gegeshidze (Olympic wrestler), Mikhail Korkia (basketball player), and Kakhaber Gogichaishvili (footballer).

### Legislature and Awards
The legislative body of the republic was the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic, which operated from 1938 to 1990. The republic received several state awards from the Soviet Union, including the Order of Lenin, the Order of the October Revolution, and the Order of Friendship of Peoples. Additionally, the republic established its own honors, such as the "People's artist of the Georgian SSR" and the "Order of the Red Banner of Labour of the Georgian SSR."

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. FactGrid