lesschumras said
With the pogroms of the 1880’s, things changed. Many Gedolim advocated that Jews not leave because the oppresion and poverty made it easier to keep Jews frum.
my response:
is this true? this sounds like a truly dreadful thing to suggest. Can anyone confirm?
Unfortuantly yes
In fact the First Lubavitcher Rebbe when Napoleon wanted to emacipate the jews advocted against emacipation because he felt it will lead them to go astry (with some correctness on his part) , He opposed Napoleon and was chased by Napoleon and thrown into Jail.