Jewish Resilience and Cultural Dynamics

This chapter examines the arduous experiences of miners under Cantonists and the pressures they faced regarding conversion to Christianity, highlighting their complex identities and the historical context of their struggles. It further explores the role of Jewish communities in the alcohol trade within the Russian Empire and the societal impacts of these dynamics on both the Jewish and wider populations. The discussion culminates in a look at the cultural interactions and clashes that arose from Jewish assimilation, underscoring the broader implications for Russian society.