Siberian exile system

The Siberian exile system was a punitive practice used by the Russian Empire, especially in the 19th and early 20th centuries, where criminals and political dissidents were forcibly relocated to remote areas of Siberia. This vast, harsh region was chosen due to its isolation and extreme climate. Exiles often faced difficult living conditions, hard labor, and limited rights. The system aimed to both punish offenders and deter dissent, significantly impacting social and political life in Russia by silencing opposition and reshaping communities in Siberia through the influx of exiled individuals.