ИСТИНА

The problem of refugees and forced migrants is one of the global agenda’s problems in the beginning of the XXI century. However, almost a century ago, there was a mass migration to Europe, including because of the events that took place on the territory of the former Russian Empire in 1917-1923. The overthrow of the emperor in 1918 actually became the beginning of the Civil War. The Civil War ended with the mass migration of the population of the former Russian Empire (up to 3 million). The country was mainly left by people associated with the “White” movement’s camp, therefore the maximum intensity of migration was connected with the time of its defeat – 1920, when the main centers of the movement were lost (Denikin’s and Wrangel’s governments in the South of Russia and Kolchak’s government in the East). The main part of migrants went to Europe by sea through Turkish ports. The evacuation from the Crimea in November 1920 was the culmination of this process, the territory of the country was left not only by the army of General Wrangel, but also by the families of military, and people who were afraid of the “red terror” (many of them were already internal migrants, who followed Wrangel’s army). Migration of this period gave rise to unique forms of social organization designed to streamline the lives of refugees in places of temporary residence, for example, refugee camps in modern Turkey (Gallipoli) and Tunisia (Bizerte). Many migrants believed that the Soviet government was a short-term phenomenon in the history of the country and were preparing for a quick return to their homeland. The Russians in many European countries, for example in France, created a system of social institutions (in particular, educational ones) that were supposed to help preserve identity before returning to Russia.