Imperial Russia's Jewish Question, 1855}}}1881 [Paperback]

John Klier examines Russian public opinion on the 'Jewish Question' in the Russian Empire.John Klier examines Russian public opinion on the 'Jewish Question' in the Russian Empire during a period of sweeping social and political reform. He studies the manner in which public opinion influenced, and was influenced by state policy towards the Jews, and traces the roots of modern antisemitism throughout Eastern Europe.John Klier examines Russian public opinion on the 'Jewish Question' in the Russian Empire during a period of sweeping social and political reform. He studies the manner in which public opinion influenced, and was influenced by state policy towards the Jews, and traces the roots of modern antisemitism throughout Eastern Europe.The reform era in Russia (18551881) witnessed the emancipation of the serfs, economic and social change, the reform of all imperial institutions, and the growth of national identity among Russians and the Empire's expanding Jewish population. Consequently, the 'Jewish Question' became one of most hotly debated topics in Russia. Attitudes toward the Jews which evolved during this period persisted up to the Revolution and beyond. This book, based on exhaustive archival research of materials published during the period, studies the interplay of public opinion and official policy. The author examines the attitudes of all sectors of Russian educated society towards the Jews. He also explores how a new group, the Russian Jewish intelligentsia, sought to define a modern Jewish identity in the midst of a multi-ethnic Empire.Part I. The Era of the Great Reforms: 1. Moshkas and Ioshkas; 2. The Illustratsiia affair of 1858; 3. Defining terms; 4. Rassvet and the future of Judaism; 5. Sion and the problem of nationality; 6. The religious element in Russian Judeophobia; Part II. The Era of Russification: 7. Russification in the Northwest; 8. 'Kiev is Russian'; 9. 'Kiev is Ukrainian'; 10. Education and Russification; 11. Partisans of enlightenment:l“-