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

Aiming to create a homogeneous population, between 1827 and 1856 the Russian government implemented their malicious plan of forcefully converting Jewish children by conscripting them into harsh military frameworks. About 75,000 children were abducted from their parents. However, the Russians failed in their struggle against the children. Despite cruel punishments, 75% refused to convert to Christianity.