Religious Intolerance and Economic Tensions in Russia and Poland

This chapter examines the historical landscape of religious intolerance in Russia, focusing on the persecution faced by Jews and Old Believers under Tsarina Catherine II's reign. It highlights the economic implications of Jewish merchant prohibitions, revealing tensions between oligarchic interests and royal moral stances. Additionally, the chapter explores the dynamics between Jews and Poles, detailing socioeconomic factors that influenced their complex relationships throughout various historical periods.