How Common Were Mixed Marriages Between Georgians and Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians Before the Soviet Union?

Before the Soviet Union, the differences among the Eastern Slavs were less pronounced than one might imagine. Every Russian can trace their lineage to relatives in Ukraine, and vice versa, making the concept of a "mixed marriage" somewhat irrelevant. This is not to say that marriages did not occur; they simply may not have been classified as such due to shared religious and cultural backgrounds.

Religious Context During the Russian Empire

Before the Soviet Union, Russia was part of the Russian Empire, and the government did not track nationality in the same way it tracks citizenship today. Instead, they focused on religion, which was primarily Orthodox. As a result, Georgians, who were predominantly Orthodox, could marry Orthodox Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians without issue. The shared religious identity meant that such unions were unlikely to be referred to as "mixed" marriages.

Even though railroads were built in the 19th century, travel remained challenging and expensive. This made intermarriage between different ethnic groups less common. However, in high society and as travel became more affordable over time, such marriages became less unusual among the middle and upper classes. Religion continued to be the unifying factor, ensuring that these unions were not classified as mixed marriages.

The Impact of the Soviet Union

Post-Soviet Union, the situation changed dramatically. During this period, mixed marriages involving Georgians and Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians became more common. For instance, a neighbor in our summer house district is a Georgian man married to a Ukrainian woman, with Ukrainian ancestry making up three-quarters of her background and Russian ancestry comprising a quarter. Their children, raised in this diverse environment, display a blend of Ukrainian and Georgian identities. Similarly, their grandchildren grow up with a sense of shared heritage that transcends ethnic labels.

Understanding the Terms of Reference

It is essential to clarify whether "nation" or "citizenship" is more relevant when discussing these mixed marriages. If "nation" is the focus, then marriages between Georgians and Slavic nations (Belarusians, Ukrainians, and Russians) are more common. However, if "citizenship" is the focus, the pattern may be similar, although there could be specific exceptions.

In conclusion, while mixed marriages between Georgians and other Eastern Slavs were less common before the Soviet Union, they did occur, driven by shared religious and cultural bonds. The post-Soviet era has seen a significant change in the frequency and nature of these unions, often leading to more diverse and blended identities among the next generations.