Akhmet Baitursynuly — the spiritual leader of the Kazakh liberation movement of the early twentieth century

Abstract

This article examines the formation of the Alash intelligentsia in the context of the strengthening of the colonial policy of the Russian Empire, which led to the loss by the Kazakh people of their land, language, religion in the early twentieth century. The significance of A. Baitursynuly’s works in the formation of the historical consciousness of the Kazakh people in the initial period of the new stage of the liberation movement is considered. The formation of A. Baitursynuly as a historical personality and spiritual leader of the Kazakh people was closely connected with the liberation movement of the early twentieth century, which can be divided into four stages. The first stage originates from the 1905 Karkaraly petition; the second is associated with the activities of A. Baitursynuly in the newspaper “Qazaq”; the third stage analyzes his role in the formation of the Alash Party and the government of the Alash Horde; the fourth stage is associated with the activities of A. Baitursynuly in the Soviet period. An analysis of the practical activities and spiritual heritage of A. Baitursynuly allows us to conclude that throughout his life he fought for the national idea, sought to implement concrete plans to improve the future of his people.