Volga Germans - Catherine The Great

Catherine The Great

In 1762, Catherine II, born a German princess and a native of Stettin, Pomerania, deposed her husband Peter III (also originally from a Germanic land) and took the Russian imperial throne. Catherine the Great published manifestos in 1762 and 1763 inviting Europeans, (except Jews) to immigrate and farm Russian lands while maintaining their language and culture. Although the first received little response, the second improved the benefits offered and was more successful in attracting colonists. People in other countries such as France and England were more inclined to migrate to the colonies in the Americas than to the Russian frontier. Other countries, such as Austria, forbade emigration. The settlers came mainly from Bavaria, Baden, Hesse, the Palatinate and the Rhineland, over the years 1763 to 1767.

Those who went to Russia had special rights under the terms of the manifesto. Some, such as being exempt from military service, were revoked in the latter part of the 19th century when the government needed more conscripts for the Russian army. The German Mennonite communities were opposed to military service because of their religious beliefs. Many Mennonites emigrated to the Americas then rather than serve in the military, as pacifism was and remains a deeply protected value. Some Mennonites remained in Russia. As a result of the migrations, Winnipeg, Canada, is now a center of the Mennonite population and religious practice.