In World War I, Georgia was involved as part of the Russian Empire. However, several groups within Georgia had different roles and experiences during the war:
Russian Empire: Georgia was a part of the Russian Empire at the time, so the Georgian people were conscripted into the Russian army and fought alongside other Russian soldiers. The Russian government and military leadership made decisions that affected Georgia both during and after the war.
Georgian Soldiers: Many Georgians were conscripted into the Russian Army and fought on various fronts of the war, including the Eastern Front against Germany and Austria-Hungary. Georgian soldiers experienced the hardships and horrors of trench warfare like other soldiers.
Civilians: Georgian civilians were also affected by the war. The conflict disrupted normal life, and many families worried about their loved ones serving in the military. The war also brought economic hardship, as resources were diverted to the war effort and resulted in food shortages and inflation.
Independence Movement: During World War I, a nationalist movement for Georgian independence gained momentum. Some Georgians saw the chaos of the war as an opportunity to break away from Russian rule. Prominent figures like Noe Zhordania and other members of the Georgian Social Democratic Party actively supported the independence movement.
Bolsheviks: As World War I progressed, the Russian Empire faced internal political turmoil. The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, eventually seized power in Russia in 1917. As a result, the Bolsheviks played a significant role in shaping events in Georgia. After the Russian Revolution, Georgia briefly declared independence from Russia, but due to pressure from the Bolsheviks, the country was invaded and later absorbed into the Soviet Union in 1921.
Foreign Powers: Various foreign powers had an interest in the outcome of World War I. Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire entered the war against Russia and were involved in fighting on the Eastern Front. The outcomes of these foreign powers' actions directly affected the lives and fate of Georgia and its people.
In summary, the people and groups involved and affected by World War I in Georgia included the Russian Empire, Georgian soldiers, civilians, the independence movement, the Bolsheviks, and foreign powers.