BATUMI DISTRICT IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR (1914-1918)

Abstract

World War I consumed enormous material resources along with millions of lives. Russia's poorly developed economy and incompetent state administratiun could not ensure the needs of the war. The rapid economic collapse began in the country. That was especially evident in the peripheries, including the Batumi district, which became the arena of hostilities.

The war heavily burdened the industrial and economic life of Batumi and the district in general. Most of the enterprises related to oil export were closed. The copper industry (Artvini district) based on the latest advances in technology was seriously damaged, the exploration-geological works in the valleys of the Chorokhi and Acharistskali rivers were suspended, and thousands of people remained unemployed and deprived of their means of living.

The situation in rural areas was even worse. Thousands of hectares of crops, fruit trees, and grain (corn, barley, wheat) areas were burned and destroyed. The same fate happened to tobacco and beekeeping. The leading and traditional branch of agriculture - animal husbandry - was significantly affected.

Key words: War, Material resources, Incompetent state administration, villag