ABSTRACT
As the Mongol Empire began to fragment, the peoples of the Northwest Caucasus had an opportunity to establish an independent society, but their efforts would fail for a variety of reasons. The Circassian tribes living in the westernmost regions would be subjected to constant, devastating raids by the Crimean Khanate and the Ottoman Empire which impeded any attempts to create a unified state and indeed threatened their very existence. The Abazas and Karachai-Balkars lived on lands that were only marginally capable of supporting their populations and found themselves dependent upon the lands of Kabardian pshis who exploited them and perpetuated a cycle of poverty. As for the Kabardians, although they were able to establish a coherent societal structure it remained fragmented and weakened by class animosity.
