Decembrists. Secret societies. Secret societies of the Decembrists Secret societies 1816 1825

In March 1816, guards officers (Alexander Muravyov, Nikita Muravyov, Captain Ivan Yakushkin, Matvey Muravyov-Apostoli, Sergey Muravyov-Apostol, Prince Sergey Trubetskoy) formed the first secret political society “Union of Salvation” (from 1817 “Society of True and Faithful Sons of the Fatherland”). It also included princes. A. Dolgorukov, Major M. S. Lunin, Colonel F. N. Glinka, adjutant of Count Wittgenstein (commander-in-chief of the 2nd Army), Pavel Pestel and others.

The company's charter ("Statute") was drawn up by Pestel in 1817. It expresses its goal: to strive with all one’s might for the common good, to support all good measures of the government and useful private enterprises, to prevent all evil and eradicate social vices, exposing the inertia and ignorance of the people, unfair trials, abuses of officials and dishonest actions of private individuals, covetousness and embezzlement, cruel treatment of soldiers, disrespect for human dignity and non-respect of individual rights, dominance of foreigners. The members of society themselves were obliged to behave and act in all respects in such a way as not to deserve the slightest reproach. The hidden goal of the society was the introduction of representative government in Russia.

The Union of Salvation was headed by the Supreme Council of the “boyars” (founders). The remaining participants were divided into “husbands” and “brothers”, who were supposed to be grouped into “districts” and “governments”. However, this was prevented by the small size of the society, which numbered no more than thirty members.

OfferI. D. Yakushkin to carry out the regicide during the stay of the imperial court in Moscow caused disagreements among members of the organization in the fall of 1817. The majority rejected this idea. It was decided, having dissolved the society, to create on its basis a larger organization that could influence public opinion.

[Edit] "Union of Welfare" (1818-1821)

In January 1818, the Union of Welfare was formed. The existence of this formally secret organization was quite widely known. There were about two hundred people in its ranks (men over 18 years old). The “Union of Welfare” was headed by the Root Council (30 founders) and the Duma (6 people). “Business councils” and “side councils” in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Tulchin, Poltava, Tambov, Nizhny Novgorod, Chisinau were subordinate to them; there were up to 15 of them.

The goal of the “Union of Welfare” was proclaimed to be the moral (Christian) education and enlightenment of the people, assistance to the government in good endeavors and mitigation of the fate of the serfs. The hidden purpose was known only to members of the Root Council; it consisted in establishing constitutional government and eliminating serfdom. The Welfare Union sought to widely disseminate liberal and humanistic ideas. For this purpose, literary and literary-educational societies were used (“Green Lamp”, “Free Society of Lovers of Russian Literature”, “Free Society for the Establishment of Schools Using the Method of Mutual Education” and others), periodicals and other publications.

At a meeting in St. Petersburg in January 1820, when discussing the future form of government, all participants spoke in favor of establishing a republic. At the same time, the idea of ​​regicide and the idea of ​​a provisional government with dictatorial powers (proposed by P.I. Pestel) were rejected.

The charter of the society, the so-called “Green Book” (more precisely, its first, legal part, provided by A.I. Chernyshev) was known to Emperor Alexander himself, who gave it to Tsarevich Konstantin Pavlovich to read. At first, the sovereign did not recognize political significance in this society. But his view changed after news of the revolutions of 1820 in Spain, Naples, Portugal and the rebellion of the Semyonovsky regiment (1820).

Later, in May 1821, Emperor Alexander, after listening to the report of the commander of the Guards Corps, Adjutant General Vasilchikov, told him: “Dear Vasilchikov! You, who have served me since the very beginning of my reign, you know that I shared and encouraged all these dreams and these delusions (vous savez que j'ai partagé et encouragé ces illusions et ces erreurs), and after a long silence added: It’s not for me to be strict (ce n’est pas a moi à sévir).” Note from Adjutant General A. H. Benckendorff, in which information about secret societies was presented as completely as possible and with the names of the main figures, also remained without consequences; after the death of Emperor Alexander, it was found in his office in Tsarskoe Selo. Only a few precautions were taken: in 1821 an order was made to establish a military police under the Guards Corps; on August 1, 1822, the highest order was issued to close Masonic lodges and secret societies in general, no matter what names they existed. At the same time, a signature was taken from all employees, military and civilian, stating that they did not belong to secret societies.

In January 1821, a congress of deputies from various departments of the Union of Welfare was convened in Moscow (from St. Petersburg, from the 2nd Army, and also several people who lived in Moscow). Due to escalating disagreements and measures taken by the authorities, it was decided to dissolve the society. In reality, it was intended to close the society temporarily in order to weed out both unreliable and too radical members, and then recreate it in a narrower composition.

In 1816, the first Decembrist society arose in St. Petersburg, called the “Union of Salvation.” Its founders were A.N. Muravyov, S.P. Trubetskoy, N.M. Muravyov, M.I. and S.I. Muravyov-Apostoly, I.D. Yakushkin, a little later they were joined by P.I. Pestel. The "Union of Salvation", or the "Society of True and Faithful Sons of the Fatherland", numbered up to 30 members, among whom were only officers of the Guards regiments and General Staff. According to the “Statute” (charter), members of the society were divided into “boyars”, “husbands” and “brothers” (the influence of Freemasonry), who swore an oath on the cross and the Gospel upon entry.

The “Union of Salvation” from the very beginning identified the main goals of the movement - the abolition of serfdom and the introduction of a constitution, but for a long time doubted the methods of achieving these goals. At first, the Decembrists pinned their hopes on the liberal policies of Alexander I, preparing to become faithful assistants to the reformer monarch. As a last resort, they decided not to swear allegiance to the new monarch during the interregnum until he satisfied their demands. However, in 1817 they heard rumors that Alexander I was preparing to give independence to Poland by annexing some territories of Ukraine and Belarus. It was then that the Decembrists first thought about regicide (projects for its implementation were proposed by I.D. Yakushkin and M.S. Lunin). Technically, the murder of the monarch did not present much difficulty for the guards officers, but they understood that for the coup to succeed they needed broad public support, which the Decembrists did not have. The need for action and the limited methods of achieving goals forced the noble revolutionaries to seek advice from French educators.

One of the fundamental ideas of Enlightenment philosophy was the idea that the world is ruled by opinion. In other words, the way of government and the structure of life in a particular state depend on the public opinion that prevails in it. Thus, the task for the Decembrists changed radically: instead of preparing a revolutionary coup, they had to engage in the education of appropriate public opinion. Since the “Union of Salvation” was completely unsuitable for solving this problem, in January 1818 the “Union of Welfare” was created in Moscow instead. To expand the number of members of the organization, the explicit and secret goals of the new society were written down in its charter (the “Green Book”).

The explicit goal was the spread of education and the occupation of civil positions by members of the "Union". The secret goal remained the same - “the introduction of a constitution” and “the abolition of slavery.” Not everyone who joined the society was introduced to the second part of the charter. The Decembrists believed that it would take about 20 years to form a civilized public opinion. To achieve this, they provided for the creation of “Union” councils in most provincial cities of Russia, as well as legal and semi-legal societies: educational, literary, and charitable. In 1818-19 A mass retirement of officers began - members of the Union of Welfare, who were in a hurry to occupy various civilian positions for a wider coverage of society with humane ideas. The Decembrists created Lancastrian mutual education schools, saved the population of the starving Smolensk province, bought out talented serfs, and campaigned in salons against “slavery and despotism.”

However, during the 2 years of the existence of the new organization, the Decembrists managed to open only 5-6 of its administrations. The results of nurturing a humane public opinion, if there were any, remained little noticeable. Reactionary, feudal overtones were becoming more and more apparent in Russia's internal politics. Moreover, in 1820, a timely hint from history came to the aid of the noble revolutionaries in the form of military revolutions in Spain and Italy, as well as indignation in the Semenovsky Guards Regiment. These events showed them that with a certain organization of affairs, a successful revolution was possible using only the army (which was especially close to them, as officers). In other words, life again demanded organizational restructuring from the Decembrists.

In January 1820, a meeting of the Root Council, the governing body of the Union of Welfare, took place in St. Petersburg. It was decided to fight for the introduction of a republican system in Russia. In addition, Pestel and Nikita Muravyov were instructed to develop program documents for the secret society. A year later, a congress of representatives of the administrations (branches) of the “Union” was held in Moscow, at which it was decided to dissolve it. The moderate wing thereby hoped to cut off Pestel and his radical like-minded people from the movement. However, convinced revolutionaries had their own views on the future of the secret society.

In the spring and summer of 1821, the construction of the Southern and Northern Decembrist societies began in Ukraine and St. Petersburg - more conspiratorial than the Union of Welfare, and developing more radical tactics of action. Thinking over plans for a military revolution, the conspirators hoped that it would be bloodless and quick. In addition, this tactic made it possible to do without help masses, whom the Decembrists considered, on the one hand, a counter-revolutionary force due to the traditional naive monarchism of the peasants, on the other, an uncontrollable force, capable of rebellion, anarchy, blind destruction, but not creation. Thus, the well-known thesis that the revolutionaries were “terribly far from the people” is explained both by their social caution and by the political underdevelopment of the Russian peasantry.

In 1821-23 The final organizational formation of the Northern and Southern societies takes place. Southern society was governed by the Root Duma (Directory), which, in addition to P.I. Pestel and A.P. Yushnevsky, N.M. was also elected. Muravyov. The “southerners” understood that the fate of the revolution would be decided in the capital, so they elected “northerner” Muravyov to the Directory. In fact, Pestel dominated the Southern society, advocating a strictly disciplined organization, the members of which unconditionally obey the leadership. Northern society was governed by the Duma, which included N.M. Muravyov, S.P. Trubetskoy and E.P. Obolensky. However, the “northerners” did not have such a clearly defined leader as Pestel. The Chisinau administration, which was separated into a separate organization, headed by M.F. Orlov and V.F. Raevsky in 1823 was destroyed by the government.

Two programs were created in the Northern and Southern societies: “Russian Truth” by P. Pestel and “Constitution” by N. Muravyov - the pinnacle of political thought of Decembrism. Pestel believed that in order to become new Russia a 10-year transition period is required, during which power is transferred to the Supreme Revolutionary Government. It was supposed to include A.P. Ermolova, M.M. Speransky, P.D. Kiseleva, N.S. Mordvinova and G.S. Batenkova - people known in society for their liberal views. It was they, possessing dictatorial powers, who were supposed to implement the provisions of “Russian Truth”.

In his program, Pestel proposed to destroy serfdom and establish a unitary state in Russia with a republican form of government. The highest legislative power in it belongs to the People's Council, and the executive power belongs to the State Duma, which consists of 5 people. Control functions were performed by the Supreme Council, and local power was exercised by district and volost assemblies and boards. The old classes in Russia were destroyed. Citizens of the new state were equal before the law, from the age of 20 they could vote and be elected, were endowed with property and political rights, with the exception of the right of unions and meetings with the aim of undermining the foundations of the state. Pestel introduced strict censorship and a powerful secret police in the country, and encouraged denunciation of politically unreliable citizens. The idea of ​​a 10-year dictatorship and the unpopular political measures proposed by him caused the Decembrists to distrust Pestel. They suspected that he wanted to become the Russian Napoleon, the dictator of the revolution.

On the agrarian issue, Pestel tried to reconcile two mutually exclusive principles: the public property of the land and the right of private ownership of the arable land of those who cultivate and cultivate the land. To do this, he divided the entire fund of state, peasant, church and most of the landowners' lands into public and private components. Anyone could receive a plot of public land to support their family; this plot was inalienable, that is, it could not be sold, leased, mortgaged or donated. Thus, Pestel hoped to save the peasants from proletarianization, and Russia from the horrors of capitalism. Peasants who could cultivate more land than they were entitled to from the public fund could take a plot of private land intended for the “prosperity of the economy” and the development of private entrepreneurship. With this plot, its owner could do anything that could bring him additional profit.

Muravyov's "Constitution" provided for the transformation of Russia into a federal state consisting of 14 powers and 2 regions (the powers were divided into counties, and counties into volosts). The highest legislative body was to be the People's Assembly, consisting of the Supreme Duma and the House of Representatives, elected for 6 years. Only men who had reached the age of 21 and had real or movable property in the amount of 500 and 1000 rubles could enjoy the right to vote. respectively. For those wishing to be elected, the property qualification was even higher.

The highest executive power belonged to the emperor, who was the supreme commander in chief and could, with the consent of the Supreme Duma, appoint ministers and judges. He was given a salary of up to 10 million rubles. per year so that he could maintain the yard. The monarch could reject the decisions of the People's Council, but if the council confirmed its decision for the third time, it automatically became law. The highest judicial body was to become the Supreme Court, which led the courts in the provinces and cities.

The Constitution abolished serfdom and the previous class division of society. It proclaimed the equality of citizens and provided them with rights and freedoms without any restrictions. Solving the agrarian question, Muravyov endowed the former serfs with an estate and two acres of arable land, while maintaining landownership. Such a solution to the issue would force the peasants to become hired workers. former owners, since two acres of land could not provide a tolerable existence for a peasant family.

The main difference between "Russian Truth" and the "Constitution" was not that the first made Russia a unitary republic, and the second - a federal constitutional monarchy. The point was not even that Pestel proposed the introduction of a 10-year transition period under the dictates of the Provisional Government, and Muravyov - the introduction of constitutional rule immediately after the coup. The main difference between the two approaches to the future of Russia was that Pestel and Muravyov counted on different driving forces future transformations, saw supporters of change in different segments of the country's population. Pestel hoped for the support of the revolutionaries from the peasantry, who, in gratitude for the liberation from serfdom and the provision of land, would support the new government. Muravyov believed that only the most educated, organized and independent layer of Russians - the middle nobility - could provide real help to the Decembrists.

The debate about which of the two options was more realistic continues in modern historiography. However, now most researchers agree that we are dealing with two utopias, since neither “Russian Truth” nor the “Constitution” fully took into account the socio-political situation in the empire. Russia in the first quarter of the 19th century. was not ready for such radical changes, and the plans of the Decembrists were most likely doomed to failure.

In 1824, the Northern and Southern societies managed to agree on the timing of their joint performance. In the summer of 1826, at the base of the 2nd Army, stationed in Ukraine, it was planned to conduct large maneuvers with the participation of the emperor and his brothers. The uprising was planned to begin simultaneously in Ukraine and St. Petersburg. The royal family was to be exiled abroad, and the monarch himself was to be arrested until the issue of the form of government was resolved. The Decembrists gradually increased their strength: in 1825, the Society of United Slavs became part of the Southern Society; in St. Petersburg, the “Ryleevskaya branch” (a group of officers led by K.F. Ryleev) was active. However, life made its own adjustments to the plans of the noble revolutionaries - on November 19, 1825, Emperor Alexander I unexpectedly died in Taganrog.

Leading representatives of the noble youth who returned from foreign trips, ardently strived for active work.

It was in their midst that a revolutionary society was created in 1816, the founders of which were officers Alexander Muravyov, his distant relative Nikita Muravyov, I.D. Yakushkin, S.P. Trubetskoy, brothers Sergei and Matvey Muravyov-Apostles.

The society was called the “Union of Salvation”; its founders believed that the time had come to save Russia. Soon P.I. Pestel and several other officers were accepted into the society.

The main task of the “Union of Salvation,” according to the unanimous opinion of its participants, was the elimination of serfdom and autocracy. Members of the Union of Salvation argued a lot about the forms of revolutionary organization and tactics, based on an assessment of the activities of political clubs in revolutionary France, the Carbonara Ventas, the Tugendbund, etc.

In the end, the majority recognized the need to act gradually: to win over influential persons in the state apparatus in order to achieve with their help the proclamation of a constitution at the time of the king’s death. The proposal of the most decisive officers to speed up the revolutionary uprising through regicide did not receive support.

The isolation of the “Union of Salvation” and the uncertain nature of its activities hampered its development. The complex procedure for replenishing the ranks of the society limited its growth: the number of its members in almost two years of existence reached only 25-30.

The weakness of this first revolutionary organization became obvious at the end of 1817, when many of its participants gathered in Moscow in connection with the arrival of the court and guards there. The “Union of Salvation” was forced to admit that it did not have the strength to take decisive action and adopt a resolution on the reorganization of society.

The successor to the “Union of Salvation” was the “Union of Welfare” formed by the same persons at the beginning of 1818, which was supposed to attract a significant number of participants. The founders of the “Union of Welfare,” believing, following the philosophers of the 18th century, that “opinion rules the world,” intended to carry out a coup d’état by capturing “public opinion.”

According to the society's charter, representatives of all free classes were allowed into it. In addition, it was decided to create a wide circle of people sympathetic to the goals of the “Union” from among individuals united in literary societies, charities and other legal organizations.

The leaders of the Union of Welfare believed that for propaganda revolutionary ideas it will take about 20 years and that the revolution will be carried out around 1839.

The Union of Welfare overcame the narrow boundaries of the first revolutionary society.

Over the three years of its existence, up to 15 “administrations” (departments) arose under it, including in the provinces. The number of its members increased to 200. Many prominent representatives of Russian culture were close to the society, including.

Under the influence of the intensification of the class struggle in Russia and the new upsurge of the revolutionary movement in Western Europe, a republican movement developed in the Welfare Union and the idea of ​​the need for a more decisive revolutionary struggle became stronger.

At meetings of the “Root” (main) council in St. Petersburg in January 1820, Pestel, on behalf of 30 members of the Tulchen council who served in the troops in Ukraine, made a report on the advantages of the republican system. The meeting unanimously adopted the republican program.

Nikita Muravyov proposed to kill the tsar and thereby speed up the uprising of society. He considered it possible to carry out a military revolution, like the Spanish one, the rapid successes of which had a huge influence on Russian contemporaries.

However, the new revolutionary tactics proposed by Muravyov did not receive the approval of the Root Council. In addition, the organizational structure of the Welfare Union, intended for widespread propaganda of liberation ideas, was not suitable for carrying out a revolutionary coup.

Soon the question of reorganizing the Union of Welfare arose. The impetus was the unrest in the troops of the capital garrison in October 1820. They began with an open protest of the soldiers of the Semenovsky regiment against the cruel arbitrariness of the new commander. The rebel soldiers were imprisoned in the fortress.

But the demands of the Semyonovites to remove the hated commander found a lively sympathetic response in the remaining regiments of the guard. During these days, proclamations were found in the Preobrazhensky barracks calling on soldiers to revolt and choose commanders “from their brother soldiers.”

From 1816 to 1825, there were 15 protests among the troops against the stick regime of “Arakcheevism”. Members of the Welfare Union, supporters of decisive action, saw this as confirmation of the possibility of a military revolution in Russia. On the other hand, increased government repression in the army accelerated the withdrawal of unstable members from society.

At the very beginning of 1821, the Moscow Congress of Commissioners from Governments adopted a resolution to terminate the activities of the Union of Welfare. At the same time, it was decided to create a strictly conspiratorial secret society with a careful selection of members who were ready to make a decisive move in the spirit of the military revolution.

« Salvation Union» — the first organization of future Decembrists. IN 1815 several officers of the Semenovsky regiment arranged "artel": They cooked dinners together, and then played chess, read foreign newspapers aloud, and discussed political issues. Alexander made it known that such "gatherings" he doesn't like it. And the officers realized that they could not count on a public discussion of the burning issues of Russian life.

IN 1816 a secret officer organization arose called "Union of Salvation". It was headed by Colonel of the General Staff Alexander Muravyov. Among the founders were Prince Sergei Trubetskoy, Nikita Muravyov, Matvey and Sergey Muravyov-Apostles, Ivan Yakushkin. All six participated in Patriotic War and foreign trips. Later in "Union" Guards officers Pavel Pestel, Prince Evgeniy Obolensky and Ivan Pushchin, Pushkin’s lyceum friend, entered.

The main goal of the society was the introduction of a constitution and civil liberties. The charter of the “Union” stated that if the reigning emperor “ will not give any rights of independence to his people, then in no case should he swear allegiance to his heir without limiting his autocracy" The issue of abolition of serfdom was also discussed. The establishment of military settlements caused deep indignation among members of society. Impressed by the news of violence against peaceful peasants, Yakushkin volunteered to kill the tsar. His friends had difficulty dissuading him.

"Union of Salvation" was built on the basis of deep secrecy and strict discipline. In two years, about 30 people joined the society. Its leaders were faced with the question of what to do next. Society could not passively await the end of the reign. Regicide was rejected by most members on moral grounds. In addition, it became known that Alexander was preparing to free the peasants and introduce a constitution. Such reforms would make the existence of a closed officer organization meaningless. At the same time, it was necessary to take into account the danger that the reactionaries would join forces and, as in the time of Speransky, disrupt the reforms. Therefore, it was decided to concentrate efforts on preparing public opinion for the upcoming reforms and on promoting constitutional ideas.

Union of Prosperity and Salvation

« Welfare Union». IN 1818 instead of "Union of Salvation" was founded "Union of Welfare". It was headed by the same people as in the previous organization. They formed the Root Council. The locals obeyed her "government"- in St. Petersburg, Moscow and some other cities. New "Union" was more open in nature. It consisted of about 200 people. The charter (“Green Book”) stated that the “Union” considers it its duty to “spread the true rules of morality and education among compatriots, to assist the government in raising Russia to the level of greatness and prosperity.” Among its main goals, the “Union” included the development of charity, softening, and humanization of morals.

The life of the serf peasant and the ordinary soldier was in the spotlight "Union". Its members were supposed to make public the facts of cruel treatment of serfs, and fight against their sale one by one and without land. It was necessary to strive to eliminate arbitrariness, cruel punishments, and assault from army life.

Great importance "Union of Welfare" attached to educational activities among the people. Members "Union" who had estates were supposed to open schools for peasants. "Union" set himself the goal of looking for peaceful ways to resolve conflicts arising in the country, trying to lead to agreement “various tribes, states, classes”. The development of the productive forces of the Fatherland was also included in the goals "Union". Its members were supposed to contribute to the introduction of advanced farming techniques, the growth of industry, and the expansion of trade.
Members "Union" should have actively participated in public life, in the activities of scientific, educational and literary societies. It was supposed to publish its own magazine. There was a second part "Green Book", known only to the most trusted members of society. It contained his cherished goals - the introduction of a constitution and the abolition of serfdom.

Lasted only three years « Welfare Union» . Its members managed to do very little of what was planned. Ivan Yakushkin opened a school for peasants on his estate. Sergei Muravyov-Apostol, who served in the Semenovsky regiment, tried to make the soldier’s life easier and humanize relationships in the barracks. However, all his efforts went to waste when a new commander was appointed to the Semenovsky regiment. Drill and cane discipline reigned. In 1820, soldiers' unrest occurred in the Muravyov-Apostolsky Regiment. "Instigators" were severely punished. All other soldiers were sent to distant garrisons.

The first Decembrists

The future Decembrists did not participate in this speech, but punishment also affected them. Most of the Semyonov officers were urgently transferred to regular army corps and expelled from the capital. 17-year-old Mikhail Bestuzhev-Ryumin was not even allowed to enter the estate to say goodbye to his dying mother. Together with Sergei Muravyov-Apostol, he was transferred to the South, to the Chernigov regiment. Among the soldiers of this regiment there were many former Semyonovites. Pavel Pestel in 1821 was promoted to colonel and appointed commander of the Vyatka regiment, stationed near Chernigov. This is how many members of the secret society met in the South.

Meanwhile, the government abandoned the policy of reform and embarked on the path of reaction. It became obvious that the organizational structure and program "Union of Welfare" do not meet the new conditions. Instead of "promote (assist) the government", it was necessary to launch an independent struggle for the renewal of Russia. In 1821, a secret congress "Union of Welfare" in Moscow declared the organization dissolved. The leaders of the movement wanted to create a new society capable of more decisive action.

Illustration. Reorganization. Dissolution of the Union of Welfare

The Patriotic War of 1812 made Russia one of the most influential powers on the European continent: the fate of other European countries depended on it. But further development turned out to be extremely controversial. The country that liberated the European peoples, Russia took the lead Holy Alliance and led the restoration of monarchies in European countries.

Equally contradictory was the internal development of Russia. Russian officers returning from overseas campaigns saw a huge difference between their country and Europe. IN European countries peasants were free from serfdom, the power of monarchs was limited by laws, the constitution, parliament and the strong influence of public opinion. The officers, who believed that power in the country could not depend on the will of one person, also wanted to subordinate it solid laws, establish constitutional or republican government and free the peasants from serfdom. For these purposes, they decided to unite.

"Union of Salvation". "Union of Welfare". The first organizations of noble revolutionaries, who later became known as Decembrists, were the “Union of Salvation” and the “Union of Welfare”.

The Union of Salvation was formed in 1816, but soon ceased to exist.

Following him, in 1818, a new society arose - the “Union of Welfare”. It included many major figures of the era, including the poets F. N. Glinka and P. A. Katenin.

The public life of Russia takes place against the backdrop of European events, where revolutionary and national liberation movements are growing. Student Sand (Germany) stabbed the writer August Kotzebue, who was considered a Russian agent, with a dagger. In 1820, Polish senators rejected all draft laws proposed by Alexander I. The Russian emperor received news of soldier unrest in the Semenovsky Guards Regiment, which had always been a stronghold of autocracy. Major General Alexander Ypsilanti led the Greek uprising against the Turks. At the same time, the first signs of a decline in the revolutionary wave appeared: the Neapolitan revolution was suppressed, the revolution in Greece was defeated.

Northern and Southern Decembrist societies. Russian society is closely monitoring historical events, responding to them: it responded both to the death of Napoleon on the island of St. Helena, and to the death in Greece of the English poet J. G. Byron. After the dissolution of the Union of Salvation and the Union of Welfare, Russian freethinkers united into two secret societies - Northern (1821) and Southern (1822). In the Northern Society, the leadership role gradually passes to K.F. Ryleev, and the Southern Society is led by P.I. Pestel. At first, the “northerners” are more moderate: they insist on a constitutional monarchy, while the “southerners” insist on a republic. In an effort to spread their influence to broad layers of society, the Decembrists convene a unification congress, where Ryleev leans towards the side of the republic as the future form of government in Russia. The Decembrists intend to continue campaigning so that political changes are not unexpected, but circumstances are such that they do not have time to thoroughly prepare the uprising.

Decembrist revolt. On November 27, 1825, news of the death of childless Alexander I was received in St. Petersburg. The Tsar’s brother, Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich, back in 1823, renounced the throne in favor of another brother, Grand Duke Nikolai Pavlovich, but society does not know about this, and therefore everyone takes the oath to Konstantin Pavlovich, who is in Warsaw. However, Constantine refuses to accept the throne and sends a letter confirming his previous decision.

The oath of office to Nikolai Pavlovich is scheduled for December 14th. The Decembrists considered that the most opportune moment had come for an uprising. The “northerners,” who commanded the troops withdrawn to Senate Square, rebelled. However, Nikolai Pavlovich managed to suppress the uprising by force and bring the troops to the oath. The performance of the “southerners” was also not successful. After the defeat of the uprising, the most prominent Decembrists, who showed themselves decisively, were arrested and then, after the trial and execution of five leaders, they were imprisoned in dungeons, exiled to Siberia or to the active army in the Caucasus. Almost every family has lost either relatives or close friends. The nobility of the goals that the Decembrists set for themselves, especially the idea of ​​liberating the peasants, the selflessness of their intentions, since the Decembrist nobles did not demand any material benefits or privileges for themselves, highly raised the moral dignity of the rebels in the eyes of society and subsequent generations. They remained an example for other Russian revolutionaries, who, however, could not maintain the moral heights that were declared by the noble rebels. Very soon the uprising was regarded as a romantic act of protest, a tragic mistake, a sacrificial feat without hope of success. But since many thought the same as the Decembrists, only they did not dare to go to the square, they felt part of the guilt for the suffering of their loved ones. The Decembrist uprising began to be perceived not as a malicious rebellion and a shaking of the foundations of the state, but as a delusion of daring, hot and ardent young minds.

In society, thoughts were strengthened about forgiving the Decembrists for their ill-considered act and that the punishment exceeded the guilt, or, as Pushkin said on another occasion in the poem “The Fountain of Bakhchisarai”: “Whatever the guilt, the punishment was terrible.” Many begged Nicholas I to show mercy to the Decembrists, to return them to their families, and were confident that before the coronation or after ascending the throne, the tsar would still forgive the unfortunate sufferers. This did not happen.