A pumping unit for the mechanical extraction of oil, outside of Baku.

Oil Boom

The oil boom that began in the 1870s and lasted until the end of the 19th century had a dramatic impact on Azerbaijan. It rapidly transformed Azerbaijan into one of the world’s top producers of oil, gave rise to a modern economy, and created a European-style intellectual class in Baku. These intellectuals developed the idea of Azerbaijani nationalism, encouraged universal suffrage, and explored and expressed various political philosophies.