Jews and gypsies of Siberia: on the question of the military cantonists of the 1830s-1850s

In the first third of the 19th century, the ethnic composition of Siberia underwent significant changes due to the emergence of new ethno dispersed groups. Among these ethno dispersed groups, Jews and Gypsies stood out in particular. The national policy of Emperor Nicholas I was oriented towards the homogenization of society. This policy of the Russian emperor was reflected in the duty of citizens to serve in the army. The obligation to send children to cantonists was extended to Jews and Gypsies of Siberia. Some of the so-called "soldiers of the era of Emperor Nicholas I" in the 1860s - 1880s. played an important role in the history of their ethnic groups. In this article, we consider the issues of the relationship between the Jewish society and the Gypsy society of the Siberian region during service in the Russian army. We will consider these issues using the example of the military cantonists of the 1830s - 1850s. This article was written mainly using archival materials that are being introduced into scientific circulation for the first time.