ABSTRACT
Throughout its history, the Russian Far East has been integrally tied to military and security issues. When Russia entered the Far East, the region had been in the cultural and political sway of various Chinese dynasties and Korean rulers over the years and so colonization by Tsarist Russia was often accomplished by force. The colonies were held by virtue of a string of forts and strongholds established throughout the region and the former masters of the Far East were in close proximity across the border, so defense of the territory was a necessity. The Tsars also used the Far East as a place to send unwanted and dangerous prisoners as well as political prisoners who were considered too violent or subversive to remain in European “civilized” Russia. So armed guards escorted prisoners to their exile and in some places stood guard over them.
