Memoirs of Alfred Rosenberg

For 200 years after the beginning of the 18th century, the Balticum had been under Russian control, i^lost solemnly Czar Peter had guaranteed to the Germans their special privileges for all time, a fact which caused many of the later differences between the Baits and the Russian government. The majority of the Czars were benevolent -- and their realm certainly profited by that benevolence -- until a growing Slavophilism began to oppose westernisation, and proceeded with particular harshness against Baits as the protagonists of this leaning toward the west. A wave of Russification ensued. Professors who had taught in German were forced to learn Russian during their summer vacations. The harbingers of the coming oppression rushed over the land. However, these early storms died down again. I n spite of everything the Russian determination accomplished, a true foundation was still laclcing, namely a really Russian population. As a substitute large Russian garrisons and groups of government officials were brought in. But more often than not the offspring of these functionaries simply became Baits.