Molochansk

Molochansk
Молочанськ

German school in Molochansk
Country
Oblast
Raion		  Ukraine
Zaporizhia Oblast
Tokmak Raion
Founded 1804
Population (2013)
 • Total 6,980

Molochansk (Ukrainian: Молочанськ) is a city in Tokmak Raion of Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine. It is located at around 47°12′26″N 35°35′41″E / 47.20722°N 35.59472°E / 47.20722; 35.59472. Molochna River flows through the city. Population: 6,980 (2013 est.)[1].

Molochansk was founded in 1804 by Dutch & German Mennonite settlers who were invited by Catherine the Great (II) to settle on the vast steppes of the Tsar's Russian empire. They called the new village "Halbstadt". Due to the Russian hostile national policies towards Germans in the 20th century, almost no native Germans are left in the region. During the mad years of establishing the Soviet power in the region selected number of people lost all their possessions "in the name of Revolution" such as the Askania Nova that was raided by the Red Guards. During the Soviet Union all Germans were relocated to the remote parts of Kazakhstan. In 2004 the 200th anniversary of Molochansk/Halbstadt was celebrated with world wide distinguished guests in attendance. Canada's ambassador to Ukraine was present at this gala event.

Mennonites had earlier, in 1789, founded the Chortitza settlement at the invitation of Empress Catherine the Great. It was the successful founding of Chortitza that encouraged expansion into the Molochnaya River region. By 1850 there were over 50 Mennonite villages south and east of Molochansk/Halbstadt.

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See also

References

  1. ↑ "Чисельність наявного населення України (Actual population of Ukraine)" (in Ukrainian). State Statistics Service of Ukraine. Retrieved 21 January 2015.

External links

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