Tsarist Russia Was Socially Liberal Compared to France, England, and Germany

Russia Insider:

More facinating, original insight from the invaluable Anatoly Karlin. See more of his great work on RI here.

The original title of this article was:  'The Russian Empire: Too Nice for Its Own Good'

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What everyone thinks the Russian Empire was like.

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“Tsarist Russia was this superstitious land of icons and cockroaches with Cossacks on thot patrol with nagaikas in hand – and it was absolutely horrific!” – Liberals, Marxists.

“Tsarist Russia was this superstitious land of icons and cockroaches with Cossacks on thot patrol with nagaikas in hand – and it was absolutely great!” – Neoreactionaries.

Reality: It was in many respects socially liberal even by the standards of Western Europe.

Cont....