Pale of Settlement

The Pale of Settlement was a restricted region in the Russian Empire where Jewish residents were allowed to live from the late 18th century until 1917. It was established to confine Jewish communities and limit their movement to specific areas, mainly in present-day Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, and Lithuania. Outside this zone, Jews faced severe restrictions and expulsions. The Pale reflected widespread antisemitism and aimed to control Jewish populations. Its existence significantly affected Jewish social life, contributing to economic hardships, migration, and the growth of Jewish cultural and political movements during that period.