ABSTRACT

The assassination of Tsar Alexander placed Alexander III on the throne. As the new head of state, he immediately instigated a crackdown on public debate. The Censorship Statute of 1828 was tightened up in 1885, and yet again in 1890. During the 1880s, Romantic nationalists dominated the debate about Europe almost by default. During the 1890s, however, the heavy pan-Slavism which dominated the position was challenged by the more spiritual outlook of Solov’ev. In 1909, when the ranks of the Romantic nationalist position somewhat tentatively received an attachment of collapsed liberals, the spiritual faction of the position was strengthened, although the more xenophobic faction remained strong.