This unit was developed by Vytautas Volungevičius   Bibliography   Didactic Comments

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Worksheet: Vilnius 1655, Russian Invasion - Multiethnical structure of population

1. Find the German (Vokiečių g.), Jewish (Žydų g.), Tartarian (Totorių g.), Russian (Rusų g.) streets on the interactive map of the old city of the modern Vilnius. For search use a zoom function.

2. In many European cities the multicultural society has formed. It is especially notable since the second part of 20th c. Do you think the category of „multicultural society“ could be applied while describing the structure of citizens of Vilnius city in 16th  and 17th cc.?

3. Find the German street (Die Deutsche goße) in the plan of Vilnius city published in the Braun’s atlas

4. What has happened that the Jews, who were allowed to dwell on the German street only on the yard side, during 17th  c. set over the whole German street? How could it be explained?

5. Where the Germans vanished from the German street?

While answering these questions, pay attention to the changes of structure of Vilnius’ townsmen due to the Russian occupation in 1655-1661.

6. Analyse the statistical data. Calculate approximately, what  % of new townsmen of Vilnius was made by local citizens of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and what one by foreigners. What resumptive conclusion can you make following the obtained data?

7. From what country the most of foreigners arrived? For what reason, by your opinion?

8. Indicate the lands from where the foreigners came to Vilnius.

9. What can you tell about your city and the situation within it? Is it multiethnical? What do you think about the minorities? What is the minorities policy in your country? Are people enough tolerant to others which come from different culture or speak different language?

10. How can you explain the different between ruthenians and modern-day Russians, Ukrainians and Byelorussians?

11. Think about your country history and write what do you know about minorities which lived in your country five century before? What changed until today?