Persecution of Jews in Moldova

Russian monarchs
Empress Catherine II of Russia (who reigned from 1762 to 1796) segregated Jews and restricted them to the Pale of Settlement. After 1812, Bessarabia was added to the Pale of Settlement.

In 1827, Emperor Nicholas I (1825-1855) required by law that Jews from 12 to 25 years old join the military and be required to complete 25 years of service. Jews were also compelled to convert to Christianity.

Emperor Alexander III (1881-1894) favored Orthodox Christianity. He supported pogroms and attacks on Jews and imposed various rules and bans on them: they weren't allowed to own land and property in rural areas; they weren't allowed to hold government office, run schools, or appeal against a court sentence; they could be deported if they lived outside the Pale of Settlement; they weren't allowed to work in the legal, military, or medical professions; their entrance to universities and secondary schools was restricted; they weren't allowed to vote in zemstva and municipal elections; they were forced to sell up businesses; and their rights to trade or sell products was restricted.

Kishinev pogrom
After a blood libel, over 40 Jews were killed in the Kishinev pogrom led by Orthodox Christian priests in 1903.