The ‘Aussiedler’ are ethnic German migrants and represent a unique group of diaspora migrants. Since 1993, the officially correct term for Aussiedler is Spätaussiedler, however for ease of presentation we will use the term Aussiedler throughout the text. The first Aussiedler came to Russia when Peter I (1689–1725) changed his politics towards Europe. They were the beginning of the urban German population in Russia. Tsarina Katharina II (1762–1796) promised the Aussiedler tax exemptions for 30 years, exoneration from military service, freedom of religion, autonomy and subsidy for resettlement. Many Germans living in regions still suffering from war migrated to Russia under these terms. During the first half of.
