Abolition of Autonomy. Bessarabia – a New Tsarist Colony
(1828 - 1864)
The second period is characterized by the extension of the Russian administrative system to Bessarabia, according to the Law “On governing in the Bessarabian Oblast” (1828); the continuation of the process of colonization of Bessarabia (with the Germans, Bulgarians, Gagauzians, Serbs, Armenians, Greeks, etc.); the instability of the administrative division of Bessarabia (the number of districts: 1812 – 12; 1814 – 9; 1828 – 8; 1858 – 7).
After the Crimean War (1853 – 1856) southern Bessarabia was returned to the Principality of Moldova. In the province a number of parochial schools were organized (1830s – 1840s); the first Boys’ Lyceum was opened (1833); the Chisinau Public Library was established (1832).
