The Azerbaijani National Council proclaimed the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) in Tiflis and adopted the Declaration of Independence, establishing a parliamentary republic after the collapse of the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic.
The ADR and the other two Transcaucasian republics signed the Treaty of Batum with the Ottoman Empire, one of the first international agreements involving the new Azerbaijani state and a key step in early external relations.
After months of fighting around Baku, the Islamic Army of the Caucasus (with Azerbaijani units) took the city, ending the immediate Bolshevik-aligned control there and enabling the ADR to operate from the capital region.
With Baku secured, the ADR government moved its seat to Baku, consolidating administrative control over the country’s principal political and economic center.
The ADR Council of Ministers approved the blue-red-green tricolor with a white crescent and eight-pointed star—an enduring national symbol later restored as Azerbaijan’s modern state flag.
The first session of the ADR Parliament convened in Baku, marking the start of the republic’s main parliamentary period and providing a legislative framework for state-building amid regional conflict.
At the Paris Peace Conference, the ADR delegation met President Woodrow Wilson on the first anniversary of independence, seeking support and recognition for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and borders.
Parliament passed the law “On the establishment of Baku State University,” launching the country’s first modern university and strengthening the ADR’s education and state-building agenda.
The Azerbaijan State Bank began operations, a major institutional step toward financial governance and monetary administration during the ADR period.
At the Paris Peace Conference, the Supreme Council of the Allied powers recognized Azerbaijan as a de facto independent state—an important diplomatic milestone even though full de jure recognition did not follow before Soviet takeover.
The ADR Parliament held its final session as Soviet military pressure and internal political crisis culminated, marking the end of effective parliamentary governance before the takeover.
The 11th Red Army entered Baku and the ADR government surrendered; Soviet rule was established and the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic was proclaimed, ending the ADR’s 23-month existence.
Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918–1920)
