Publications about assassination attempts on Alexander II in Tomsk Provincial Sheets

Tomsk Provincial Sheets after the case of Siberian Provincials [Oblastniki] in 1865-66s did not lose its public value. The newspaper had continued covering the events of Tomsk life, as well as domestic-policy and international situation. It is worth to select the publications about assassination attempts on Alexander II as a separate subject. This subject got its coverage from official newspaper reprints and the reaction on social events occurring in Tomsk. Gradually, such attempts on the Emperor transformed from an extraordinary event in something ordinary. Miraculous salvation was not perceived any longer as a national holiday for which an enthusiastic report could be prepared. Russian society and press had changed during those 15 years which passed since the first assassination attempt. Even in the provincial official newspaper a religious monarchism was combined with naturalistic description of body parts damage and physical dying of the Emperor. Tsar had become a usual person, who was feeling pain and sufferings during the last minute of his life. Thereby, journalistic communities during the Great Reforms of 1860-70s were satisfied not only with the interest in naturalistic details, but also with an expectation to become an eyewitness to dramatic and "soul-scratching pictures.

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