Baku and its oil industry through war and revolution: 1914–1920

From 1914 to 1920, Baku and its oil industry were undermined by intersecting social, political and military crises that would critically challenge its economic development. These events would force the multiple governments that would come to control it (including the Russian Empire, the RSFSR, and the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan) to develop contrasting production and regulatory strategies in order to address deepening production shortfalls versus the increasing instability that was plaguing the city. This article will analyze the efficacy of these governmental responses during this period of increasing chaos, and the ultimate result of these responses.