ALEXANDER II REFORMS: CENSORSHIP & THE CHURCH (1858 - 1870)

ALEXANDER II REFORMS: CENSORSHIP & THE CHURCH (1858 - 1870)

1. NEWSPAPERS

   • Permitted to discuss and comment on GOVERNMENT POLICIES!
   • No longer had to submit work for approval prior to publication (preventive censorship abolished!)
   • EDITORS given more freedom.

2. BOOKS

   • Numbers of publications INCREASED from 1020 (1855) to 1836 (1964) and 10,691 (1894).
   • No longer had to submit work for approval prior to publication (preventive censorship abolished!)
   • Some proved to be OVERLY radical and critical of the regime.

3. - PUBLIC OPINION WAS TAKING SHAPE AND BECOMING FAR MORE REFORMED (remember, education reforms contributed to a more literate population!)

   • NOT ALWAYS ANTI-GOVERNMENT...
     • ... The autocratic regime didn't encourage a general 'FLOW OF OPINION!'

4. Minimal, half-hearted attempts to ELIMINATE CORRUPTION within the Russian Orthodox Church.

   • In the earlier stages of Alexander II's reign, there was SOME attempt to improve the conditions of the JEWS and other ETHNIC MINORITIES.
     • - The 1863 POLISH REBELLION saw this lenient treatment abandoned!
   • - Events of 1870s prevented these aspirations from becoming a reality.