Pedagogical Potential of Sources during the Study of Russian History in the Educational Process
The article reveals the issues which are relevant even in our days. Along with the genocide, the world history knows about the less obvious forms of ethnic discrimination. The article provides information on how to acquaint students with one of most tragic pages in the history of Jews who lived in the Russian Empire during the rule of Nikolay I using the sources in their studies. In 1827 Nikolay I spread the conscription of Jews introducing higher standards. For all cantonists their 25-year term of service began after they reached the age of 18 and was distributed into the army, but Jewish boys were taken for cantonists at the age of 12. The main goal behind the compulsory military service was the integration of Jews into Russian society (effectively to the detriment of their religious and national identities). The article presents documentary evidence of the witnesses, people of different nationality and religion (Y. Kotik, A. I. Gerzen, V. A. Gilayarovski).