The first Georgian states of Kolchis (Lasika) and Iberia (Kartli) are formed between the sixth and fourth century BC. In the early 4th century Georgia adopts christianity, only the second nation in the world to do so officially, and Orthodox Christianity, in combination with a unique language and alphabet, proves to be key factors in preserving Georgia’s separate identity for so many centuries. The Georgian states remain independent until the fourth century, when they are incorporated in respectively the East Roman Empire and Persia.

In the sixth century Georgia regains independence, but in the seventh century is conquered by the Caliphate. Since the ninth century several Georgian states are founded. They unite in the elefenth century in the Kingdom of Georgia under the reigns of King David the Builder and Queen Tamara. In 1235 Georgia is conquered by the Mongols. After the liberation from the Mongols in the fifteenth century five Georgian principalities are formed. In 1555 Georgia is divided between feifdoms under control of the Ottoman Empire and the Persia. Eastern Georgia secedes from Persia in 1744 and in 1762 the Kingdoms of K`art`li and Kakhet`i form a personal union, often officially styled Kingdom of Georgia.

In 1783 the King signs the Treaty of Georgievsk with Russia, by which Russia agrees to take the kingdom as its protectorate. In 1801 Russia begins the piecemeal process of unifying and annexing Georgian territory. So Karli and East Georgia become part of Russia in 1801, followed by Western Georgia - that became a Russian protectorate in 1783 - in 1812.

After World War I, the democratic Georgian Social Democratic Republic secedes in 1918 from Russia (shortly being part of the Democratic Federative Republic of Transcaucasia). The social-democrat Noe Nikolozis dze Zhordania becomes president in 1918 and is succeeded by his co-partisan Nikoloz Svimonis dze Ch'kheidze in 1919. In 1920 Georgia annexes Adjaria. In 1921 communists seize the country and establish the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic, that joins Transcaucasia in 1922 and with Transcaucasia the USSR the same year.

In 1990 Zviad Konstantines dze Gamsakhurdia of the Round Table-Free Georgia becomes chairman of the Supreme Council of Georgia. This council declares the Republic of Georgia 1991 independent from the USSR and becomes independent. Georgia becomes a presidential parliamentary republic under president Gamsakhurdia. The same year the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetiasecede from Georgia. This seccession is internationally not recognized and in 1992 Georgian rule over South Ossetia is restored. When elected president Gamsakhurdia tries to make himself a dictator, this leads to his deposure and the restoration of the democracy in 1992. Eduard Amvrosis dze Shevardnadze becomes chairman of the State Council. Georgia abolishes presidency and at the end of 1992 Shevardnadze becomes chairman of the parliament. In 1995 presidency is restored and Shevardnadze is elected president as the candidate of the centrist Sakartvelos Mokalaketa Kavshiri (Citizens Union of Georgia, SMK). After surviving assassination attempts in 1995 and 1998 then-President Shevardnadze consolidates his leadership and declares an ambitious reform agenda. Elections in 1995 give him the presidency and result in a progressive parliament led by sophisticated reformers. The reform process encounters serious obstacles and makes limited progress. The political status of the breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia remains unresolved. Russian peacekeepers alonh with UN observers are stationed in Abkhazia. Shevardnadze's rule is said to become increasingly authoritarian.

Following the seriously flawed 2003 parliamentary elections, public pressure lead to resignation of Shevardnadze. Nino Anzoris asuli Burdzhanadze of the Burdzhanadze-Demokratiuli Aliansi (Burdzhanadze-Democratic Alliance, BDA) assumes the duties of interim president and a transition government is formed. Zurab Besarionis dze Zhvania of the UD becomes prime minister. The 2004 presidential elections lead to a landslide victory by Mikheil Nikolozis dze Saakashvili of the New National Movement.