A Brief History of Germans from Russia
In 1763, Catherine the Great, the tsarina of Russia, invited foreigners to her country to farm. She offered benefits such as free transportation into Russia, free land for new settlers, freedom from taxes for 10-30 years, exemption from military service, and local, self-government among the settlers’ new colonies. These manifestos attracted many Germans to Russia where they settled into their own colonies.
Unfortunately, in 1871 the Russian government repealed the manifestos favoring German colonists. They repealed many of the privileges that the German settlers had been enjoying, and they also decreed that the German settlers would be subject to military service after a 10 year grace period. Between the years of 1872-1873, German colonies from Odessa began to immigrate to Nebraska and the Dakotas in search of a better life.
In 1874, the Russian government unexpectedly repealed the act of 1871 and decreed that German colonists must complete their military service immediately. This new law caused many Germans to immigrate out of Russia and into North and South America to escape military service. These Germans from Russia brought their language, food, and customs with them into their new home.
Unfortunately, in 1871 the Russian government repealed the manifestos favoring German colonists. They repealed many of the privileges that the German settlers had been enjoying, and they also decreed that the German settlers would be subject to military service after a 10 year grace period. Between the years of 1872-1873, German colonies from Odessa began to immigrate to Nebraska and the Dakotas in search of a better life.
In 1874, the Russian government unexpectedly repealed the act of 1871 and decreed that German colonists must complete their military service immediately. This new law caused many Germans to immigrate out of Russia and into North and South America to escape military service. These Germans from Russia brought their language, food, and customs with them into their new home.