Question

it was not so easy to live, with such bitter competition as the congestion of population made inevitable. there were ten times as many workers as there should have been, ten times as many tailors, cobblers, barbers, tinsmiths. a gentile, if he failed in polotzk, could go elsewhere, where there was less competition. a jew could make the circle of the pale only to find the same conditions as at home. outside the pale he could only go to certain designated localities, on payment of prohibitive fees, which were augmented by a constant stream of bribes; and even then he lived at the mercy of the local chief of police.
from the worlds story: a history of the world in story, song, and art, edited by eva march tappan, 1910
based on the text, what caused russian jews to migrate out of russia?
a they were subject to restrictions on their economic freedom.
b they were promised jobs and economic prosperity elsewhere.
c they were prevented from learning a trade.
d they were prohibited from practicing their religion.

Explanation:

The text mentions that Jews in Russia faced bitter competition due to population congestion, and outside the Pale of Settlement, they had to pay prohibitive fees and bribes and were at the mercy of local police. This indicates restrictions on their economic - related movements and activities. There is no mention of job promises, prevention from learning a trade, or religious prohibition in the text.

Answer:

A. They were subject to restrictions on their economic freedom.