Table of contents:
- How did the authorities fight against prostitution?
- When did brothels appear?
- When was prostitution legalized?
- How did the prostitutes behave?
- Who could become an "elite" prostitute?
Video: Spicy details of history: How the houses of tolerance worked in the Russian Empire
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
Before the revolution, prostitution in Russia was legal. For two centuries, houses of tolerance have been operating in the country. Their work schedule was set exclusively by the authorities.
How did the authorities fight against prostitution?
At the end of the 17th century, the first brothels appeared in Russia. Peter I actively fought against their creation. He argued that the workers of these establishments were the main carriers of sexually transmitted diseases. His daughter Elizabeth was categorically against prostitutes and housewives of brothels. She called to expel them from Russia.
By order of Catherine II, all pimps were to sit in restraining houses for up to six months. Her son Pavel I punished sending prostitutes to Irkutsk to fight brothels and forced them to wear yellow dresses. It was on this basis that women of easy virtue were distinguished from decent ones.
When did brothels appear?
One of the first brothels was founded by Anna Felker, who was called Dresdenshe. She decided to bring some prostitutes from Germany, as foreign women were considered cleaner.
For the sake of active development of her business, Anna gave bribes to many officials, but soon the empress found out about her activities. Then she was sent to the Peter and Paul Fortress.
To get rid of brothels, prostitutes from other countries were deported, and the inhabitants of Russia were sent into Siberian exile. Unfortunately, such methods of combating prostitution did not bring positive results, because many people, including wealthy people, were interested in providing intimate services.
When was prostitution legalized?
During the reign of Nicholas I, the situation changed significantly. Since the number of people infected with sexually transmitted diseases increased, and the activities of prostitutes did not stop, he decided to legalize brothels, but on one condition that they would be monitored by the strictest medical and police control.
It was at this time that the profession of a prostitute was recognized as official, so her income was completely taxed. Three-quarters of them were taken by the owner of the brothel, and the rest went to the worker. The head of these establishments was a woman aged 30 to 60 years.
Persons over 16 years old could become prostitutes. Students of educational institutions and minors were prohibited from visiting brothels. Such houses were closed on public holidays, Sundays, and on Good Friday.
Brothels were located far from educational institutions and temples. There were no signs on or near the structures. In the establishments themselves, the placement of a piano was allowed for spending time. The authorities did not allow any other games, especially chess. In addition, portraits depicting royalty were strictly prohibited in brothels.
How did the prostitutes behave?
A woman engaged in the first ancient profession was obliged to register with the police. Law enforcement officers took her passport from her and handed over a “yellow ticket” instead. If a prostitute worked illegally, but her activities were discovered by the police, then she was forcibly issued a "yellow ticket".
Women of easy virtue had to constantly undergo medical examinations. They were allowed to use a veil to cover their face. In those days, there were also "street" prostitutes, but work in a brothel was considered more prestigious. There were also quite a few brothels.
They differed in category. Then there were brothels for the rich and representatives of the criminal world. Brothels for successful people provided many services, including the most sophisticated. As for brothels for representatives of the criminal world, they were the cheapest.
Who could become an "elite" prostitute?
As a rule, girls and women without education and profession worked in brothels. They were peasant women, bourgeois women, etc. A prostitute from wealthy families was considered "elite", so only a rich man could take possession of her.
In order to involve poor and unemployed girls in this activity, brothel mistresses often took care of them. Sometimes prostitutes were recruited from the "street" ones. Brothel workers were given names and they were changed.
According to one version, in the painting "Unknown" Kramskoy captured exactly her - an expensive "blank" prostitute. Allegedly, there is a sign that indicates this - a free left seat in the stroller. This is the "LOOKING FOR A CLIENT" sign. And the look of the young lady as if calls to take this place.
Prostitution was outlawed in 1917 when the Bolsheviks came to power. The All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) solved this issue with revolutionary naivety and proletarian simplicity.
Ladies of easy virtue in different countries were called differently - courtesans, odalisques, Changsan. What fate awaited the "vicious ladies of the half-world" in different countries - in one of our reviews.
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