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Cantonists
(Russian language: Кантонисты)
were Jewish conscripts forced to serve in the
Russian army for 25 years or more, according to
the law signed by Tsar Nicholas I of Russia on
August 26, 1827. A disproportionate number of
Jewish minors under 18 years of age, and
sometimes much younger, were placed in
preparatory military training establishments.
Even though boys as young as eight were
frequently taken, the 25-year term officially
commenced at the age of 18. |
