Resettlement Movement and School Construction in Transbaikalia in the Beginning of the 20th century

Abstract. Resettlement policy and the colonization of Siberia and the Far East in the beginning of the 20th century were considered the most important state task. The author shows how this policy influenced the growth of not only the adult population in the region, but also children. This, in turn, gave impetus to the emergence of schools and colleges in Transbaikalia. The creation of schools was accompanied by the construction of churches. More often than not, these processes were closely intertwined. Issues of land management gave rise to the need for the development of private property and contributed to the influx of enterprising people beyond the Urals. In addition to agronomic assistance and cash loans, the settlers needed to create conditions for the education of children. The opening of schools became an important step towards introducing the settlers to Russian culture. In some cases they arose as parish churches, in others – as institutions under the department of the Ministry of Public Education. Special premises for schools were rarely built. More often, buildings that belonged to the Transbaikal Railway and were temporarily transferred for use to the school committee were allocated for them. The development of a network of educational institutions in Transbaikalia played an important role in educating the population of the region.

Keywords: Resettlement movement, colonization, Trans-Baikal Railway, creation of schools, Trans-Siberian Railway.