In 1988, Georgians began to demonstrate for independence. The Russians sent in troops who slaughtered the demonstrators in Freedom Square in Tbilisi.
In 1989, all three Caucasian countries became independent.
Three Moslem provinces of Georgia became semi autonomous. Georgians boast that historically there was no religious discrimination in Georgia. (There is no evidence of antisemitism)
When Edward Shevardnadze, the well thought of former USSR foreign minister, became president, he was able to negotiate the preliminary agreements towards Georgia having alliances with Europe. In addition he was able to get an oil pipeline from Azerbijan through Georgia rather than Russia. This infuriated the Russians. It is said that the violence in South Ossetia was a result of Russian agitation and that Russian soldiers and mercenaries fought against the Georgian army.
Shevardnadze was ultimately forced to resign because of the corruption rampant during his term. (The Rose Revolution.) A vibrant young leader who was very pro-American, Saakashvili, was elected. Georgia became a member of the "Coalition of the Willing", George W. Bush visited and a street was named after him.
In 2008 the Russians bombed Georgia, nominally to protect the Muslims in South Ossetia. It is widely believed by Georgians that it was meant as a warning.
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