Abstract
The article studies the mutual relations of Russian peasant migrants and Kazakhs — the indigenous population of the Kazakh steppe in the late 19 — early 20 centuries. The influence of the late-imperial Russia resettlement policy on the deployment of conflicts both between settlers and Kazakhs, and within the Kazakh society is shown. It was proved that along with the contradictions that took place, the resettlement policy carried a serious acculturation potential, and described examples of the mutual influence of cultures in the course of neighborly residence. It is concluded that this potential was not fully disclosed in practice. The study is based on archival documents, first introduced into scientific circulation, as well as on published sources of reference and statistical nature.