Kishinev (or Chisinau in the Romanian form) is the capital of present day Moldova, under Tsarist Russia it was part of Bessarabia, an area that ceased to exist by that name after the Second World War.
Jewish Population in Bessarabia
As Bessarabia was part of the "Pale of Settlement" the Jewish population was significant in number. In 1897 the Jews made up 46% of Kishinev's population, compared to just 12.2% fifty years earlier. Despite Jews accounting for almost half of the city's population this does not mean that they were accepted or tolerated by the other residents. The local paper "Besserabets" was virulently anti-Semitic and probably played a role in the first pogrom of 1903.
1903 Kishinev Pogrom
The catalyst for the 1903 pogrom was when a Christian child was found murdered, blame and suspicion immediately fell on the Jews. The age old myth of Blood Libel was spread in the press and by word of mouth. A mob descended on the Jewish quarter during Easter weekend, in the ensuing violence 49 Jews were killed, homes and businesses were looted and ruined, thousands were made homeless. The damage to buildings and property amounted up to millions in gold roubles.
The initial reaction of Kishinev's Jewish community - at least for those who could afford it - was to emigrate, with the majority going to the United States. The Jewish population of Kishinev dropped by around 10% between the years 1903 and 1905.
1905 Kishinev Pogrom
In 1905, there was another pogrom in Kishinev and a number of others throughout Russia. 1905 was a year of great unrest in the Russian empire with 'Bloody Sunday' in January, controversial Tsarist reforms in August, and towards the end of the year the unexpected defeat of Russia in a war against Japan.
It was a protest against the Tsarist reforms in Kishinev in October that descended into violence in the Jewish quarter of the city. In this pogrom, 19 Jews were killed and again substantial damage was done to homes and businesses. Pogroms also occurred in other towns throughout Bessarabia shortly afterwards.
The effect of the pogroms on Kishinev's economy was detrimental, not only because of the damage done to buildings, and the closure of many businesses, but also because the Jews who emigrated were mostly skilled workers and well-off citizens.
International Reaction to the Kishinev Pogroms
The international reactions to the Kishinev pogroms and indeed the others that occurred in Russia were significant. Countries with substantial Jewish populations such as the United States and France, were the most critical of the pogroms. The pogroms damaged Russia's international standing on the world stage, this was damaging for a country which struggled to be viewed on the same level as its Western peers at the best of times.
Sources
Bremmer, Ian; Tara, Ray et al. Nations and Politics in the Soviet Successor States Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993.
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