Resettlement of Foreign Subjects to North-Western Caucasus in Second Half of 19th Century

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the process of resettling foreign subjects to the North-Western Caucasus in the latter half of the 19th century. The study is based on a wide range of issues, from the reasons for this process, its legal framework, identification of major migration flows, to the course of resettlement and analysis of its results. The author concludes that the resettlement of foreign subjects was initiated by the Russian authorities as part of solving large-scale state tasks of settling a vast territory. It is noted that this territory was cleared of mountain people to be settled by populations loyal to Russian statehood and to develop the region's economy. It is shown that on the part of the Russian authorities, this process was ensured by corresponding legislative acts and measures of material support for migrants. It is claimed that the resettlement of foreign subjects to the North-Western Caucasus had a significant impact on the economic development of the region. The author pays special attention to the issue of adaptation of resettlers in their new place of residence. The conclusion is drawn that their natural-productive adaptation occurred more intensively than their socioethnic adaptation.