Primary sourceDocument22 July 1763

Invitation Manifesto of 1763

Catherine II of Russia · 22 July 1763

Catherine the Great's manifesto inviting foreign settlers to colonize Russian lands, which launched the Volga German colonies.

Catherine issued this manifesto to invite settlers, part of her policy of developing and colonizing Russian territory.

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Scan of the first page of a printed 18th-century German-language Russian imperial manifesto, with a large black-letter title beginning 'Von Gottes Gnaden Wir Catharina die Zweyte' and a long list of territorial titles. A library stamp reads 'Ex Bibliotheca Regia Acad. Georgiae'. — Catherine II of Russia, Invitation Manifesto, 22 July 1763.

About this source

What it is

This is a printed manifesto issued by Catherine II of Russia on 22 July 1763, written in German and listing her many imperial titles. It invited foreigners to settle and cultivate unused lands within the Russian Empire.

Why it matters

The manifesto shows Catherine's ambition to develop and populate Russia's vast territories, describing them as rich in resources but underused. It led to the founding of the Volga German colonies and reflects her broader policy of attracting settlers to strengthen the empire.

Look closer

Why would Catherine want to attract foreign settlers rather than rely only on existing populations?
What does the long list of titles at the start tell you about how she presented her authority?
What might this manifesto leave out about the experience of settlers who accepted the invitation?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Catherine the Great on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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