The Russian Empire considered Ukrainians (and Belarusians) a part of the Russian identity and referred to them as "Little Russians". Until the end of World War I this view was opposed by a small group of Ukrainian nationalists. Nevertheless, a perceived threat of "Ukrainian separatism" set in motion a set of measures aimed at the russification of the "Little Russians". In 1804 the Ukrainian language as a subject and language of instruction was banned from schools. In 1876 followed by a ban on Ukrainian books by Alexander II's secret Ems Ukaz, which prohibited publication and importation of most Ukrainian-language books, public performances and lectures, and even banned the printing of Ukrainian texts accompanying musical scores.