Ruskification

Ruskification refers to the historical process of Russification, which involves the imposition of Russian language, culture, and administrative practices on non-Russian populations. This policy was most notably implemented by the Russian Empire and later by the Soviet Union. The primary goals of Ruskification were to foster national unity, assimilate minority groups into the dominant Russian culture, and strengthen state control.

Methods of Ruskification varied but often included promoting the Russian language in education and public life, encouraging intermarriage, relocating Russian populations to non-Russian territories, and suppressing indigenous languages and cultural expressions. Religious institutions of minority groups were also sometimes targeted, with pressure to convert to Orthodox Christianity or to adopt Russian religious practices.

The impact of Ruskification on various ethnic groups was significant and often controversial. While some proponents argued it led to modernization and integration, critics pointed to the erosion of distinct cultural identities, resentment, and resistance among affected populations. The extent and intensity of Ruskification policies fluctuated throughout different historical periods and across various regions within the empire and Soviet Union. The legacy of Ruskification continues to be a subject of historical debate and influences contemporary ethnic relations in post-Soviet states.