The Quest for Christian Community: Exploring the Hutter Brotherhood in the Russian Empire (1770 — the Second Half of the 1870s)

We conducted an analysis of the socio-religious and economic lifestyle Hutters, a Christian community that emigrated from Eastern Europe to southern frontier Russian Empire at end 18th century. The Hutters were known for their desire live communally, based on principles equality love, pacifism, property. While authorities initially allowed maintain community, they preferred individual farms over communes. Unlike Mennonites, another religious group in area, struggled with low birth rates internal conflicts not successful resettlement. As capitalism rapidly developed Novorossiya military reforms took place Russia, decided move Midwest North America where could realize ideal community. This article provides insight into resettlement policy 19th centuries towards persecuted European groups how conditions affected them.