The Cantonists: Jewish Boys in the Russian Military, 1827–1856

Before 1917, the Russian Tsar wielded absolute power over a vast empire, where more than 5 million Jews lived in isolation and segregation. Under the rule of Tsar Nicholas I (1825–1855), policies toward Jews became especially oppressive. Nicholas sought to erase Jewish identity by forcing their conversion to Christianity and promoting assimilation through mixed marriages. One of his most ruthless strategies was the implementation of the Cantonist system, which conscripted Jewish boys under the age of 13 into military service. These children were torn from their families and communities, subjected to brutal treatment, and pressured relentlessly to abandon their faith. Over three decades, approximately 75,000 Jewish boys were conscripted. Despite the immense hardships, the majority stood firm with only 25% succumbing to conversion. This powerful account sheds light on a dark chapter in history, illustrating the resilience of a people facing relentless oppression under an authoritarian regime.