Question

Which of the following ethnic groups unsuccessfully tried to gain their independence from Russia? Russia did not allow it due to a fear that other nations would follow and due to large oil deposits found in the area.

Answer 1

The Chechens in Chechnya are the ethnic group that tried and failed to gain independence from Russia, mainly due to Russia's concern over other potential secessions and the region's valuable oil resources.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ethnic group that unsuccessfully tried to gain their independence from Russia, which was not granted due to fears of other nations following suit and because of significant oil deposits, is the Chechens of Chechnya. During the Soviet era, different administrative regions had varying degrees of autonomy, and Chechnya was considered part of the Russian SFSR rather than having the status of a Soviet Socialist Republic which had a more straightforward path to independence post-1991. Russia's fear of secessionist tendencies in its territory has been heightened due to concerns over the potential loss of other republics within the Federation and vital economic resources like oil.

While other former Soviet territories, such as Armenia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan, did achieve independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Chechnya faced wars and resistance from Russia in its quest for independence. These struggles highlight the complexities of nationalism, self-determination, and the challenges posed by multi-ethnic territories within larger empires or federations.