The Ukrainian language began to evolve and Ukrainian intellectuals continued to promote the use of the language in even broader contexts, threatening a future where Ukraine separated from Russia. A similar problem was occurring in other countries in Europe where governments strategically invested in educational systems that promoted the primary dialect of their regions; however, Russia did not really do this, instead, focusing their efforts on repressing the Ukrainian language entirely- first restricting publishing and ultimately an all out systematic ban on Ukrainian publications as well as theatrical performances and the removal of Ukrainophile intellectuals from educational positions. This ban came to fruition when Tsar Alexander II signed the Edict of Ems in 1876
