A Dangerous Mood: Public Opinion and Mass Communication in the Czech Lands of 18th Century

Abstract

This article deals with the advent of mass communication and the formation of public opinion in the Czech lands in the 18th century. It traces the gradual penetration of Enlightenment ideas, the development of intellectual life in aristocratic salons, the beginnings of Czech theater, currents of opinion in the folk environment, and the birth of Czech journalism. Specific attention is paid the French Revolution and its reflection in the Czech environment. The article deals with unofficially disseminated information, censorship of the press, surveys of the mood of the population, and contemporary legends among the people. It shows that the observed period began to give birth to modern public opinion in the Czech lands.

Keywords

• 18th century
• enlightenment
• public opinion
• mass communication
• newspapers
• the mood of the population
• folk rumours