The Resettlement of Highlanders to the Russian-Controlled Territories of the Kuban and Black Sea Regions in 1830–1860 through the Prism of Imperial Integration Policy

Abstract

The article examines the imperial policy of managing the Adyghe people resettlement to Russian-controlled territories in the Kuban and Black Sea regions in 1830–1860. With the reference to a range of archival materials it analyzes the key exogenous factors driving the desire of representatives of several noble families and dependent populations to come under Russian protection. Growing social polarization, wealth inequality in mountain communities, and intensifying contradictions between the nobility and the common people contributed to the resettlement. Among the endogenous factors, the political decision of the Russian administration to ensure the loyalty of the mountain nobility stands out. Specific management practices of the Caucasian administration aimed at providing assistance, support, and security during the resettlement of mountain families to Russian-controlled territories are analyzed. The administration compensated noble mountaineers seeking protection for the costs of resettlement, reimbursed the value of property abandoned in their former places of residence, and ensured the preservation of their former high status and a number of noble privileges. Recruiting members of noble families for military service was seen as a guarantee of their loyalty. The Russian military administration also offered ordinary settlers the opportunity to serve in irregular units. The highlanders who had accepted Russian citizenship and later shifted to the side of their hostile compatriots, and the provision of assistance to them during raids, facilitated their resettlement within Russia, primarily to the lands of the Great Don Host. The settlers were provided with land and financial assistance for establishing farms. Imperial integration policy was flexible and somewhat tolerant of the peculiarities of the highland mentality, traditions, and religion. The resettlements were not large-scale due to the highlanders’ attachment to their native land, significant anti-Russian sentiment, and religious differences.