Russian Germans: at the behest of Catherine the Great ...
… Late evening. A large family, having read a prayer according to the Lutheran custom, sits down to have dinner. No one is having fun. Two months ago, the war with the fascists began, and although everything is still going on, there are plenty of provisions, and men from their village have not been called upon, it is still alarming and restless. Suddenly a loud knock on the door. Beyond the threshold are three people: the head of the settlement and with him two others with stern persons in military uniform. Cause the host to talk. Five minutes later, he returned pale with a frozen expression of bewilderment on his face and announced to the family that he needed to get together until morning, taking only what could be carried in his hands, stock up on warm things, as he would be taken far, far beyond the Urals to Siberia. Why? Order of relocation. For what? Just for being German.
And for 179 years before, they, the Germans, were invited to Russia. And not someone - Catherine II herself invited. But in order to understand the motives of this act, it is necessary to look even deeper into history.
The great Russian empress herself, named at the birth of Sophia Frederica Augustus Angelt-Zerbskaya, was born in 1729 in the then German city of Stettin in a German (from today's point of view) family. Perhaps this is the reason for her future affection for the descendants of the ancient Germans. However, when Fike (this was Sophia Frederica’s family nickname) at the age of fifteen was brought to the Russian Empire as the bride heir to the throne Peter Fedorovich, she immediately began to learn the language of her new homeland, her history, to get acquainted with the Orthodox religion and Russian traditions. The girl accepted Russia precisely as her own country. Now she was called Ekaterina Alekseevna. But the spouse, the future head of state, was just a fan of everything foreign, and especially the Prussian way of life. As history has shown, Catherine II did her best to become an empress. No, not the wife of the ruling person, namely the Russian monarch.
As a result of the coup d'état, Catherine was crowned king in 1762, in September. Unlike her husband, whom she dismissed from the Russian throne after a short period of chaotic reign, her reign program was thought out, thorough and consistent. It consisted of many interesting trends that seem to cover all aspects of the life of the people and the state. The new empress made a list of her main tasks. She said that it is necessary to govern an enlightened nation, therefore, in the initial order, every effort should be made to improve the level of education in the country. Order must reign in the state, society must abide by the laws, and well-trained police follow it. The main goal should be the prosperity and majesty of the Russian state, inspiring respect for the neighbors with its military strength and power.
Contemporaries characterize Catherine II as a ruler who respected, loved and appreciated our country and everything originally Russian. But where did the Germans come from then? Why were they needed in the country? And it was in the following. For the first time, foreigners, including Germans, appeared in Russia in a decent amount under Peter I, who invited them as scientists and artisans, capable of their personal example, as well as teachers and mentors, to transfer experience and knowledge to local residents. Catherine saw and assigned a somewhat different task to the foreigners. She was obsessed with expanding her empire. And sought this as a woman. A man-governor would prefer, having a similar goal, to wage war and seize new territories in the struggle. She used qualities such as intelligence, prudence, cunning, and royal favor. There was, of course, no courage in some controversial endeavors. During the years of the reign by the efforts of the empress, the Russian territory increased significantly in size - the southern fertile lands of the Crimea and the Black Sea region, a section of the Commonwealth joined. Thirty years after the accession of Catherine, the number of people in Russia increased by more than one and a half times, and our state became the most populated among European countries. And here, the German resettlement and the Manifesto of Catherine II 1762 of the year played a significant role.
In general, thoughts about the organization of colonies, or in another way, the projects of settling in the sparsely populated territories of our country arose under Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. But to bring them to life happened new ruler. Catherine herself prepared the so-called "calling" manifesto, inviting foreigners to move to Russia. The young empress substantiated him with her maternal — “obscene” - care and works about peace and prosperity of the empire entrusted to her by the god, which she sets for herself the main rule and guide to action on assuming the throne. As well as concerns about the multiplication of this abode. Further, Catherine noted that many foreigners, as well as those who were outside of Russia, her former subjects, ask for “beating their heads” for permission to settle in the empire. She declared “the most gracious” that she favorably refers to the resettlement of foreigners from different nations to us (except Jews), as well as to the return of those who had escaped from their homeland for some reason. Permission to resettlement was approved. The manifesto itself was called "On permission for all foreigners entering Russia, to settle in which provinces they wish about the rights granted to them." According to the decree, poorly inhabited regions of Russia, including Ukraine, were subject to settlement by foreign citizens.
It is quite understandable that on the day after the manifesto was announced, the flows of settlers in our country did not flood. Although Catherine did her best to find out about her decision in Europe. The manifesto was printed in Russian, in French, in German and in English in a hundred copies and sent to Russian diplomatic agents operating abroad. In the future, her loyal subjects needed not only to get the document published in local newspapers, but also to exert maximum efforts so that all this would have the greatest possible popularity. But, of course, the European inhabitants just did not want to leave their native lands and go no where to wild and sparsely populated parts of a distant and frightening country. And they themselves, and a little later the Russian diplomats who served in different states, came to the same conclusion - for such steps we need certain guarantees and privileges that would make people decide to take this desperate step.
When this joint appeal reached the Empress's notice, she was a foreigner, German by birth, who had arrived in a foreign country, instantly understood his essence. Therefore, a year later, “by-laws”, documents enabling the provisions of the first decree, were developed and issued, as we would say now. These are the “Manifesto on advance payments and privileges granted to foreign migrants” and the “Decree on the establishment of the Office of the Guardianship of Foreign Immigrants”. Having received the required guarantees and privileges, as well as a whole special institution that will protect their rights, foreigners are emboldened. The process of settling the uninhabited Russian lands began. People poured into our country, and for the most part they were from the south-west of Germany.
The first was soon followed by another “calling” manifesto. This document was also translated into different languages and published in foreign editions. A publicist of that time, by the name of Schlozer, called the manifesto an action a real escape to Russia. And it was not surprising. After all, the document promised immigrants unprecedented benefits. Personal freedom and settlement to choose from anywhere in Russia. Exemption from any taxes for a decent period: in rural areas up to thirty years, in urban areas - up to five. Foreigners who organized the production were allowed to trade and even export their goods outside the country duty-free. A loan for ten years without interest was also provided, so that immigrants could acquire housing, furnishings, households, and reimburse travel expenses. It is clear that for poor European residents it was incredibly tempting. And how do you get exemption from military service? Constantly fighting among themselves, the rulers of the German lands needed to replenish their armies and did so at the expense of frequent recruits. Plus religious freedom and permission to build the buildings of their religious worship. And the right to own local governments and the possibility of unhindered departure from Russia. The benefits alone ...
The very creator of this controversial manifesto, Catherine II, explained it by the fact that there are still many “idle” places on the lands of the Russian Empire, that is, the uninhabited and unexplored, where various riches are hidden in the depths. She said that in our country there are many lakes, rivers, fields and forests of “commerce subject”, that there is a possibility of “reproduction” of factories, manufactories and “other factories”. The Empress promised that these innovations would benefit the Russian loyal subjects. A register of free and convenient to settle Russian lands was published: Tobolsk, Astrakhan province, Orenburg, Belgorod and many others. That is, in fact, the colonists could settle not where they wanted, but in designated places. And, for example, the Volga region, designated as the Promised Land, was not really rich ore, industrial rivers and lakes. Newcomers were rather strictly forced to engage in agriculture, and there were some good artisans among them. Nonetheless, foreigners drove and drove, founded settlements, developed land, and established farms.
In three years, since 1763, the number of immigrants has reached almost 23 thousands of people. After that, it was decided to temporarily stop the flow, until the arrivals were provided with houses, with all the necessary equipment and began to work fully to provide for themselves. The colonies on the Volga grew and grew: if there were only twelve in 1765, then another ten were added in another year, and there were already sixty-seven in 1767. Two years later, a population census was taken, showing that six and a half thousand German families live in the Volga 105 colonies.
Of course, both the authorities and the first colonists were very difficult, but the further course of history proved to all opponents of the manifesto how useful the event initiated by Catherine II was, both in terms of settling uninhabited territories, and the useful neighborhood of Russians and Germans.
... Early in the morning, German families crowd in anticipation of the train, soon to land. Where they are taken, they do not know, and, despite the approaching front line, no one wants to leave. Here they were teachers, doctors, workers and engineers. Russians studied their diligence and accuracy. They raised and improved this land with their sweat and blood. And the fault was only that their distant ancestors responded to the call of Catherine II and decided to come here. Here they found a new homeland, and our country found them, Russian Germans. They were not allowed to defend the country with weapons in hand. They went to a long way to the East, and not many of them came back ...
And for 179 years before, they, the Germans, were invited to Russia. And not someone - Catherine II herself invited. But in order to understand the motives of this act, it is necessary to look even deeper into history.
The great Russian empress herself, named at the birth of Sophia Frederica Augustus Angelt-Zerbskaya, was born in 1729 in the then German city of Stettin in a German (from today's point of view) family. Perhaps this is the reason for her future affection for the descendants of the ancient Germans. However, when Fike (this was Sophia Frederica’s family nickname) at the age of fifteen was brought to the Russian Empire as the bride heir to the throne Peter Fedorovich, she immediately began to learn the language of her new homeland, her history, to get acquainted with the Orthodox religion and Russian traditions. The girl accepted Russia precisely as her own country. Now she was called Ekaterina Alekseevna. But the spouse, the future head of state, was just a fan of everything foreign, and especially the Prussian way of life. As history has shown, Catherine II did her best to become an empress. No, not the wife of the ruling person, namely the Russian monarch.
As a result of the coup d'état, Catherine was crowned king in 1762, in September. Unlike her husband, whom she dismissed from the Russian throne after a short period of chaotic reign, her reign program was thought out, thorough and consistent. It consisted of many interesting trends that seem to cover all aspects of the life of the people and the state. The new empress made a list of her main tasks. She said that it is necessary to govern an enlightened nation, therefore, in the initial order, every effort should be made to improve the level of education in the country. Order must reign in the state, society must abide by the laws, and well-trained police follow it. The main goal should be the prosperity and majesty of the Russian state, inspiring respect for the neighbors with its military strength and power.
Contemporaries characterize Catherine II as a ruler who respected, loved and appreciated our country and everything originally Russian. But where did the Germans come from then? Why were they needed in the country? And it was in the following. For the first time, foreigners, including Germans, appeared in Russia in a decent amount under Peter I, who invited them as scientists and artisans, capable of their personal example, as well as teachers and mentors, to transfer experience and knowledge to local residents. Catherine saw and assigned a somewhat different task to the foreigners. She was obsessed with expanding her empire. And sought this as a woman. A man-governor would prefer, having a similar goal, to wage war and seize new territories in the struggle. She used qualities such as intelligence, prudence, cunning, and royal favor. There was, of course, no courage in some controversial endeavors. During the years of the reign by the efforts of the empress, the Russian territory increased significantly in size - the southern fertile lands of the Crimea and the Black Sea region, a section of the Commonwealth joined. Thirty years after the accession of Catherine, the number of people in Russia increased by more than one and a half times, and our state became the most populated among European countries. And here, the German resettlement and the Manifesto of Catherine II 1762 of the year played a significant role.
In general, thoughts about the organization of colonies, or in another way, the projects of settling in the sparsely populated territories of our country arose under Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. But to bring them to life happened new ruler. Catherine herself prepared the so-called "calling" manifesto, inviting foreigners to move to Russia. The young empress substantiated him with her maternal — “obscene” - care and works about peace and prosperity of the empire entrusted to her by the god, which she sets for herself the main rule and guide to action on assuming the throne. As well as concerns about the multiplication of this abode. Further, Catherine noted that many foreigners, as well as those who were outside of Russia, her former subjects, ask for “beating their heads” for permission to settle in the empire. She declared “the most gracious” that she favorably refers to the resettlement of foreigners from different nations to us (except Jews), as well as to the return of those who had escaped from their homeland for some reason. Permission to resettlement was approved. The manifesto itself was called "On permission for all foreigners entering Russia, to settle in which provinces they wish about the rights granted to them." According to the decree, poorly inhabited regions of Russia, including Ukraine, were subject to settlement by foreign citizens.
It is quite understandable that on the day after the manifesto was announced, the flows of settlers in our country did not flood. Although Catherine did her best to find out about her decision in Europe. The manifesto was printed in Russian, in French, in German and in English in a hundred copies and sent to Russian diplomatic agents operating abroad. In the future, her loyal subjects needed not only to get the document published in local newspapers, but also to exert maximum efforts so that all this would have the greatest possible popularity. But, of course, the European inhabitants just did not want to leave their native lands and go no where to wild and sparsely populated parts of a distant and frightening country. And they themselves, and a little later the Russian diplomats who served in different states, came to the same conclusion - for such steps we need certain guarantees and privileges that would make people decide to take this desperate step.
When this joint appeal reached the Empress's notice, she was a foreigner, German by birth, who had arrived in a foreign country, instantly understood his essence. Therefore, a year later, “by-laws”, documents enabling the provisions of the first decree, were developed and issued, as we would say now. These are the “Manifesto on advance payments and privileges granted to foreign migrants” and the “Decree on the establishment of the Office of the Guardianship of Foreign Immigrants”. Having received the required guarantees and privileges, as well as a whole special institution that will protect their rights, foreigners are emboldened. The process of settling the uninhabited Russian lands began. People poured into our country, and for the most part they were from the south-west of Germany.
The first was soon followed by another “calling” manifesto. This document was also translated into different languages and published in foreign editions. A publicist of that time, by the name of Schlozer, called the manifesto an action a real escape to Russia. And it was not surprising. After all, the document promised immigrants unprecedented benefits. Personal freedom and settlement to choose from anywhere in Russia. Exemption from any taxes for a decent period: in rural areas up to thirty years, in urban areas - up to five. Foreigners who organized the production were allowed to trade and even export their goods outside the country duty-free. A loan for ten years without interest was also provided, so that immigrants could acquire housing, furnishings, households, and reimburse travel expenses. It is clear that for poor European residents it was incredibly tempting. And how do you get exemption from military service? Constantly fighting among themselves, the rulers of the German lands needed to replenish their armies and did so at the expense of frequent recruits. Plus religious freedom and permission to build the buildings of their religious worship. And the right to own local governments and the possibility of unhindered departure from Russia. The benefits alone ...
The very creator of this controversial manifesto, Catherine II, explained it by the fact that there are still many “idle” places on the lands of the Russian Empire, that is, the uninhabited and unexplored, where various riches are hidden in the depths. She said that in our country there are many lakes, rivers, fields and forests of “commerce subject”, that there is a possibility of “reproduction” of factories, manufactories and “other factories”. The Empress promised that these innovations would benefit the Russian loyal subjects. A register of free and convenient to settle Russian lands was published: Tobolsk, Astrakhan province, Orenburg, Belgorod and many others. That is, in fact, the colonists could settle not where they wanted, but in designated places. And, for example, the Volga region, designated as the Promised Land, was not really rich ore, industrial rivers and lakes. Newcomers were rather strictly forced to engage in agriculture, and there were some good artisans among them. Nonetheless, foreigners drove and drove, founded settlements, developed land, and established farms.
In three years, since 1763, the number of immigrants has reached almost 23 thousands of people. After that, it was decided to temporarily stop the flow, until the arrivals were provided with houses, with all the necessary equipment and began to work fully to provide for themselves. The colonies on the Volga grew and grew: if there were only twelve in 1765, then another ten were added in another year, and there were already sixty-seven in 1767. Two years later, a population census was taken, showing that six and a half thousand German families live in the Volga 105 colonies.
Of course, both the authorities and the first colonists were very difficult, but the further course of history proved to all opponents of the manifesto how useful the event initiated by Catherine II was, both in terms of settling uninhabited territories, and the useful neighborhood of Russians and Germans.
... Early in the morning, German families crowd in anticipation of the train, soon to land. Where they are taken, they do not know, and, despite the approaching front line, no one wants to leave. Here they were teachers, doctors, workers and engineers. Russians studied their diligence and accuracy. They raised and improved this land with their sweat and blood. And the fault was only that their distant ancestors responded to the call of Catherine II and decided to come here. Here they found a new homeland, and our country found them, Russian Germans. They were not allowed to defend the country with weapons in hand. They went to a long way to the East, and not many of them came back ...
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