The Jewish Pogroms 1881-84

• The Jewish concentration in the areas of the Pale made them ready targets for the anti-Jewish pogroms that broke out in April 1881, in Ukraine. The immediate cause of these pogroms is unknown but is likely that they were encouraged by the Okhrana using the link to Tsar Alexander II's assassination as an excuse to stir up trouble.
• The governing authorities certainly did little to curb the violence. They were slow to act and the 'Holy League' organisation which was supported by Pobedonostsev helped to coordinate the early attacks, although this was banned in 1882. Around 16 major cities were affected with Jewish property being burnt, shops and businesses destroyed and many incidences of rape and murder.