NIHILISM is a term used of certain philosophical or half-philosophical systems of " negative " tendency, especially such as deny God, the soul, and the moral distinction between good and evil. Of late, however, it has become familiar throughout Europe as applied to the hyper-revolutionary programme of a Russian organization in various ranks of society. The young men at the universities seem to be largely addicted to Nihilism, and are equaled in their zeal by the "fair girl graduates" of Russia. The Nihilists are said to have adopted many of the socialistic views of Prom:Ilion (q.v) ; but while their scheme is in other respects vague and ill-compacted, their foremost principle is the belief that society may be and ought to be regenerated by a sudden and sweeping overthrow of most existing social and political institutions. Towards preparation for this extensive undertaking, their bold propagandism is especially directed. While violently opposed to Pan-slavism (q.v.) as supporting old and obsolete notions of nationality and patriot ism, cosmopolitan Nihilism is yet so far purely Russian as apparently not to have estab lished direct relations with the socialistic organizations of western Europe. Herzen (q.v.), as an admirer of west European culture, widely to be distinguished from the N ihilists, gave a powerful impetus to the spread of democratic opinions in Russia. But the great leaders of the Nihilistic movement were the indefatigable agitator Michael Bakunin (born 1814) and the journalist Tchernyschevski. In 1869, during certain
students' demonstrations, revolutionary manifestoes were distributed. Much was done for promoting revolutionary opinions through the medium of Sunday-schools, ere these were suppressed by government. Young men of good birth adopted menial callings in order to understand the grievances and burdens of their poorer brethren, and to enter with fuller sympathy into their feelings. Nihilistic associations began to display organized activity, and considerable funds were collected. Government now began numerous prosecutions. In 1871 there was a lengthened trial, and numerous condem nations to Siberian exile. In 1875 an actual rising took place under a red banner, amongst the students at Kazan. In 18i7 139 persons, mostly young men and women, were tried, and many condemned. The unamimous acquittal by a St. Petersburg jury of the lady assassin, Vera Sassulitch, who attempted the life of gen. Trepoff, governor of a prison, displayed a dangerous condition of public feeling, and led to the significant, though "temporary, withdrawal of the trials for political crimes from juries, these being now assigned, to courts-martial. The assassination, by Nihilists especially com missioned, of the general at the head of the secret police of Russia and of the governor of Kharkov, in 1878 and 1879, show the boldness and persistency of the Nihilistic prop aganda.