HIST 219 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Abtin, Extortion, Russian Empire
Document Summary
Massive piece of land, v diverse geography. Jews hav (small) presence as early as 4th century bce. Russia pushing westward, inherits large amt of land that had been in polish- lithuanian commonwealth. Incorporating huge amt of new ethnic groups--jews r largest non- slavic/christian group. Largest jewish pop in world (700,000) now lives in russia. Jewish subjects had been employed by polish nobility. Most policies not directed solely towards jews. Russia"s rulers wanted to maintain status quo, even w enlightenment changes. Hav seen what happens (revolution) when there r too many freedoms. Russia"s policy towards jews in the 1800s. Empire doesn"t know where jews fit into social hierarchy. Want loyalty of jews, but not @ cost of sppt from other subjects. 1804/1835 laws--delineate provs where jews r allowed to reside. Internally, allowed to move around, own property, participate in politics. Not exclusively populated by jews--jews r only 12% of pop. But policies r v hard for russian emp to implement.
