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Turkic speaking peoples established kingdoms in Central Asia. Not long atfer, Chinese armies conquered the region.
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The Arab Armies defeated the Chinese. Arabic speakers brought the Islamic faith when they invaded.
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Mongols from the far east, led by Genghis Khan began a 200-year rule of CentraL Asia. They destroyed many cities and irrigation systems.
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A Turkic-speaking Mongol named Timur rose to power to build an empire until 1405.
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In the late 1400s, Europeans began to sail to East Asia, avoiding the Silk Road. Because of this, trade through Central Asia declined and the region became isloated.
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Under the czarz, Russia conquered and colonized Central Asia. The conquest began in the north and moved south. Settlers who followed the soldiers irrigated and farmed the desert. Russians also built railroads throughout the regions, The railroads also offered better access to the region resources. Cotton and oil production expanded.
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Resistance to Russian rule grew.
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The Soviet government took power after the Russian Revolution and eventually crushed the resistance.
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Riots erupted between Uzbecks and other in Fergana Valley.
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The Soviet Union collapsed and the Central Asian republics decalred their independance.
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Kazakhstan moved the capital from Atamty to Astana. The government wanted to rebuild the new capital city, but there is not enough money.
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An Islamic rebel group kidnapped foreign travelers and the region still remains tense.
