Blue Sea, Black Gold, Red Banner

Blue Sea, Black Gold, Red Banner, Volume 1, explores the intricate historical connections between Scandinavia and the South Caucasus. Tom Trier examines how maritime trade and the discovery of Caspian Sea oil fostered commercial links and consular relations starting in the late nineteenth century. Scandinavian entrepreneurs, including the Swedish Nobel family, played instrumental roles in transforming Baku into a major industrial hub. This history book traces the economic and diplomatic ties that linked these geographically distant regions during a transformative era of global commerce.

The narrative focuses on the period of upheaval surrounding World War I and the subsequent collapse of the Russian Empire. As Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan emerged as independent republics, social democratic leaders looked toward neutral Scandinavia for European engagement. This work of international politics and history details how Nordic diplomats navigated shifting landscapes until the Bolshevik invasion of 1920-1921. Blue Sea, Black Gold, Red Banner provides a scholarly look at the intersection of Scandinavian interests and Caucasian sovereignty.