Obshchee Veche

Obshchee Veche 

a revolutionary newspaper for the people. Published in London from 1862 to 1864, Obshchee veche was a supplement to Kolokol. The editors and publishers were A. I. Herzen and N. P. Ogarev. Twenty-nine issues of the newspaper were published.

Obshchee veche interpreted “the present situation in Russia and the people’s needs”; it propagandized the ideas of Russian communal socialism and the program of the secret society Land and Liberty. It also devoted considerable space to questions of religious tolerance.

The principal author and editor was Ogarev; his article “What the People Must Do” (1862) called upon the peasants to fight for a chernyi peredel (redistribution of land). The article was simultaneously published as a leaflet and was widely disseminated. V. I. Kel’siev helped prepare the first issue. Herzen’s article “The Executions in Kazan” was printed in the 29th issue. Obshchee veche printed articles by correspondents from Russia, primarily Old Believers. The text of the newspaper was reprinted in a facsimile edition of Kolokol (issue 10, Moscow, 1964).