Decembrists- participants in the Russian noble opposition movement, members of various secret societies of the second half of the 1810s - the first half of the 1820s, who organized an anti-government uprising on December 14, 1825 and were named after the month of the uprising.

In the first decades of the 19th century, some representatives of the Russian nobility considered autocracy and serfdom to be destructive for the further development of the country. Among them, a system of views developed, the implementation of which was supposed to change the foundations of Russian life. The formation of the ideology of the future Decembrists was facilitated by:

Russian reality with its serfdom;

Patriotic upsurge caused by the victory in the Patriotic War of 1812;

The influence of the works of Western enlighteners: Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesquieu, F. R. Weiss;

The reluctance of the government of Alexander I to carry out consistent reforms.

The ideas and worldview of the Decembrists were not united, but they were all directed against the autocratic regime and serfdom.

"Order of Russian Knights" (1814-1817)

In 1814, in Moscow, M. F. Orlov and M. A. Dmitriev-Mamonov created a secret organization “Order of Russian Knights”. Its goal was to establish a constitutional monarchy in Russia. According to N. M. Druzhinin, “The Dmitriev-Mamonov project goes back to the Masonic-mystical revolutionism of the era of the Great French Revolution.”

"Union of Salvation" (1816-1818)

In March 1816, guards officers (Alexander Muravyov and Nikita Muravyov, captain Ivan Yakushkin, Matvey Muravyov-Apostol and Sergey Muravyov-Apostol, Prince Sergey Trubetskoy) formed a secret political society "Union of Salvation" (from 1817 "Society of True and Faithful Sons of the Fatherland" ). It also included Prince I. 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 charter of the society (“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, extortion 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.

I. D. Yakushkin’s proposal to carry out 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.

"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 (“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 were used.

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 the news of the revolutions of 1820 in Spain, Naples, Portugal and the revolt 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 he added: - it’s not for me to be strict ( ce n'est pas a moi à sévir)". The note by 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 under. 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.

« 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 took part in the Patriotic War and foreign campaigns. Later in "Union" Guards officers Pavel Pestel, Prince Evgeny 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" had to actively participate 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

Chronology

• 1816 - 1817 Activities of the Union of Salvation.
• 1818 - 1821 Activities of the Union of Welfare.
• 1821 Formation of the “Southern Society”.
• 1821 - 1822 Formation of the “Northern Society”.
• 1825, December 14 Decembrist uprising in St. Petersburg.
• 1825, December 29 Uprising of the Chernigov regiment.

Social movement in Russia in the 19th - early 20th centuries.

The 19th century occupies its own special place in the history of socio-political thought in Russia. During these years, the destruction of the feudal-serf system and the establishment of capitalism occurred at a particularly rapid pace. As Herzen wrote, at the beginning XIX century, “there were almost no revolutionary ideas, but power and thought, imperial decrees and humane words, autocracy and civilization could no longer go hand in hand.”

In Russia, an internally free layer of the intelligentsia is gradually emerging onto the political arena, which will play an outstanding role in the 19th century. There was also an awareness of the need for change in the government camp. However, the autocracy and various political forces had significantly different ideas about the paths of change. In accordance with this, three main trends in the development of socio-political thought stand out clearly in the history of Russia: conservative, liberal and revolutionary.

Conservatives sought to preserve the foundations of the existing socio-political system. Liberals put pressure on the government to force it to implement reforms. Revolutionaries sought profound changes in various ways, including through a violent change in the country's political system.

A feature of the social movement at the beginning of the 19th century was the dominance of the nobility. This is explained primarily by the fact that in the environment nobility An intelligentsia was formed that began to realize the need for political changes in the country and put forward specific political doctrines.

During these years, the Russian bourgeoisie did not actively participate in the social movement because it was absorbed in accumulation, profit under the conditions of primitive accumulation. She did not need political reforms, but administrative and legislative measures that would contribute to the development of capitalism. The Russian bourgeoisie was quite satisfied with the economic policy of tsarism, aimed at the development of capitalism. The political capacity of the Russian bourgeoisie lagged far behind its economic power. It entered the economic struggle at a time when the Russian proletariat was already playing an active role in the socio-political struggle, having created its own political party.

During the years when the authorities refused reforms, a revolutionary political trend clearly emerged. It was Decembrist movement. The main factor in its emergence was the socio-economic, especially political, conditions of Russia’s development.

In 1825, the most far-sighted nobles already understood that the fate of the country and the nobility itself was not limited to royal benefits and favors. The people who came to Senate Square themselves wanted to free the peasants and establish representative bodies of power. While sacrificing their destinies and lives for the people, they could not sacrifice their privilege to decide for the people without asking them.

“We are the children of 1812,” wrote Matvey Muravyov-Apostol, emphasizing that the Patriotic War became the starting point of their movement. More than a hundred Decembrists took part in the war of 1812, 65 of those who would be called state criminals in 1825 fought to the death with the enemy on the Borodino field. Acquaintance with the progressive thought of French and Russian enlighteners strengthened the desire of the Decembrists to put an end to the causes of Russia's backwardness and ensure the free development of its people.

Academician M.V. Nechkina, a well-known researcher of the history of the Decembrist movement, called the main reason for its emergence the crisis of the feudal-serf, autocratic system, i.e. Russian reality itself, and secondarily noted the influence of European ideas and impressions from the foreign campaigns of the Russian army.

Your first secret society Salvation Union” Guards officers A.N. Muravyov, N.M. Muravyov, S.P. Trubetskoy, I.D. Yakushkin, founded in 1816. V St. Petersburg. The name was inspired by the French Revolution (Committee of Public Safety - the French government of the era of the “Jacobin dictatorship”). In 1817, P.I. joined the circle. Pestel, who wrote its Statute (charter). A new name also appeared - “Society of True and Faithful Sons of the Fatherland.” The revolutionaries planned, at the time of the change of monarch on the throne, to force him to adopt a Constitution that would limit royal power and abolish serfdom.

Based on the “Union of Salvation” in 1818 in Moscow was created "Union of Welfare" which included more than 200 people. This organization aimed to promote anti-serfdom ideas, support the liberal intentions of the government, and create public opinion against serfdom and autocracy. It took 10 years to solve that problem. The Decembrists believed that conquering society would help avoid the horrors of the French Revolution and make the coup bloodless.

The government's abandonment of reform plans and a transition to reaction in foreign and domestic policy forced the Decembrists to change tactics. In 1821 in Moscow, at the congress of the Union of Welfare, it was decided to overthrow the autocracy through a military revolution. From the vague “Union” it was decided to move to a conspiratorial and clearly formed secret organization. IN 1821 — 1822 gg. arose “ South" And " Northern” society. IN 1823 an organization was created in Ukraine “ Society of United Slavs”, by the fall of 1825 it merged with the “Southern Society”.

In the Decembrist movement throughout its existence, there were serious disagreements on issues of ways and methods of implementing reforms, on the form of the country's government, etc. Within the framework of the movement, one can trace not only revolutionary tendencies (they manifested themselves especially clearly), but also liberal tendencies. The differences between the members of the “Southern” and “Northern” societies were reflected in the programs developed by P.I. Pestel (“ Russian truth") and Nikita Muravyov (“ Constitution”).

One of the most important questions remained the question of the state structure of Russia. According to the “Constitution” N. Muravyova Russia was turning into constitutional monarchy where executive power belonged to the emperor, and the legislative one was transferred to the bicameral parliament, - People's Assembly. The Constitution solemnly proclaimed the people to be the source of all state life; the emperor was only “the supreme official of the Russian state.” The suffrage provided for a fairly high voting qualification. Courtiers were deprived of voting rights. A number of basic bourgeois freedoms were proclaimed - speech, movement, religion.

By " Russian truth" Pestel Russia announced republic, power in which, until the implementation of the necessary bourgeois-democratic transformations, was concentrated in the hands of Temporary Supreme Rule. Then the supreme power was transferred to a unicameral People's Assembly of 500 people, elected for 5 years by men from the age of 20 without any qualification restrictions. The highest executive body was State Duma(5 people), elected for 5 years by the People's Assembly and responsible to it. Became the head of Russia the president. Pestel rejected the principle of a federal structure; Russia remained united and indivisible.

The second most important question is the question of serfdom. Both N. Muravyov’s “Constitution” and Pestel’s “Russian Truth” strongly advocated against serfdom. “Serfdom and slavery are abolished. A slave who touches the Russian land becomes free,” reads § 16 of N. Muravyov’s Constitution. According to “Russian Truth”, serfdom was immediately abolished. The liberation of the peasants was declared the “holiest and most indispensable” duty of the Provisional Government. All citizens had equal rights.

N. Muravyov proposed that the liberated peasants retain their personal land “for vegetable gardens” and two acres of arable land per yard. Pestel considered the liberation of peasants without land completely unacceptable and proposed solving the land issue by combining the principles of public and private property. The public land fund was to be formed through the seizure without redemption of landowners' lands, the size of which exceeded 10 thousand dessiatines. From land holdings of 5 - 10 thousand dessiatines, half of the land was alienated for compensation. From the public fund, land was allocated to everyone who wanted to cultivate it.

The Decembrists associated the implementation of their programs with a revolutionary change in the existing system in the country. Taken as a whole, Pestel’s project was more radical and consistent from the point of view of the development of bourgeois relations in Russia than Muravyov’s project. At the same time, both of them were progressive, revolutionary programs for the bourgeois reorganization of feudal Russia.

Representatives of the “Northern” and “Southern” societies planned a joint performance in the summer of 1826. But the unexpected death of Alexander I, which occurred on November 19, 1825 in Taganrog, entailed a dynastic crisis and forced the conspirators to change their plans. Alexander I did not leave an heir, and according to the law, the throne passed to his middle brother Constantine. However, back in 1822, Constantine signed a secret abdication. This document was kept in the Synod and the State Council, but was not made public. On November 27, the country swore allegiance to Constantine. Only on December 12 did an answer come about the abdication of Constantine, who was in Poland. On On December 14, the oath to Nicholas was appointed, younger brother.

The Decembrists’ plan was to withdraw troops to Senate Square (where the Senate and Synod buildings were located) and prevent senators from swearing allegiance to Nicholas I, forcefully force them to declare the government overthrown, and issue a revolutionary “ Manifesto to the Russian people y”, compiled by K.F. Ryleev and S.P. Trubetskoy. The royal family was to be arrested in the Winter Palace. A dictator, i.e. The leader of the uprising was Colonel of the Guard, Prince S.P. Trubetskoy, chief of staff - E.P. Obolensky.

At 11 am several companies of the Moscow Regiment came to Senate Square. Governor General M.A. addressed the rebels. Miloradovich called to return to the barracks and swear allegiance to Nicholas I, but was mortally wounded by Kakhovsky’s shot. The number of rebels gradually reached three thousand, however, lacking leadership (Trubetskoy never showed up at Senate Square), they continued to stand waiting. By this time, Nikolai, seeing that “the matter was becoming serious,” pulled about 12 thousand people to the square and sent for artillery. In response to the Decembrists’ refusal to lay down their arms, grapeshot fire began. By 18:00 the uprising was suppressed, about 1,300 people died.

December 29, 1825. under the leadership of S. Muravyov-Apostol performed Chernigov Regiment, but already on January 3, 1826 the uprising was suppressed.

316 people were arrested in the Decembrist case. The defendants were divided into 11 categories depending on the degree of their guilt. 5 people were sentenced to death by quartering, replaced by hanging (P.I. Pestel, K.F. Ryleev, P.G. Kakhovsky, S.I. Muravyov-Apostol, M.P. Bestuzhev-Ryumin).

On July 13, 1826, the execution took place in the Peter and Paul Fortress. During the execution, the ropes of Ryleev, Kakhovsky, and Muravyov-Apostol broke, but they were hanged a second time.

Trubetskoy, Obolensky, N. Muravyov, Yakubovich, Yakushkin and others went to hard labor in Siberia. All those convicted in the courtyard of the Peter and Paul Fortress were put in a “punishment” and stripped of their ranks and noble titles (their swords were broken, their shoulder straps and uniforms were torn off and thrown into bonfire).

Only in 1856, in connection with the coronation of Alexander II, an amnesty was declared. An entire generation of young, educated, active people found themselves torn out of the life of the country. From the “depths of Siberian ores” Decembrist A.I. Odoevsky wrote to Pushkin:

“Our sorrowful work will not be lost,
A spark will ignite a flame..."

The forecast turned out to be accurate. Having dealt with the Decembrists, the government of Nicholas I was unable to kill the free thought and desire of the progressive part of society for change.

"Union of Salvation" (1816--1818)

In March 1816, guards officers (Alexander Muravyov and Nikita Muravyov, captain Ivan Yakushkin, Matvey Muravyov-Apostol and 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 Prince I. 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 charter of the society (“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, extortion 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.

I. D. Yakushkin’s proposal to carry out 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.

Origins of the movement

In the first decades of the 19th century, some representatives of the Russian nobility understood the destructiveness of autocracy and serfdom for the further development of the country. Among them, a system of views is emerging, the implementation of which should change the foundations of Russian life. The formation of the ideology of the future Decembrists was facilitated by:

• Russian reality with its inhuman serfdom;
• Patriotic upsurge caused by the victory in the Patriotic War of 1812;
• Influence of the works of Western educators: Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesquieu;
• The reluctance of the government of Alexander I to carry out consistent reforms.

At the same time, it should be noted that the ideas and worldview of the Decembrists were not united, but they were all aimed at reform and were opposed to the autocratic regime and serfdom.

"Union of Salvation" (1816-1818)

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 the news of the revolutions in Spain, Naples, Portugal and the revolt of the Semenovsky regiment ().

The political program of the Southern Society was Pestel’s “Russian Truth”, adopted at a congress in Kyiv in 1823. P.I. Pestel was a supporter of the idea of ​​the supreme power of the people, revolutionary for that time. In Russkaya Pravda, Pestel described the new Russia - a single and indivisible republic with a strong centralized government.

He wanted to divide Russia into regions, regions into provinces, provinces into districts, and the smallest administrative unit would be the volost. All adult (from 20 years old) male citizens received the right to vote and could participate in the annual volost "people's assembly", where they would elect delegates to the "local people's assemblies", that is, local authorities. Each volost, district, province and region had to have its own local people's assembly. The head of the local volost assembly was an elected “volost leader,” and the heads of the district and provincial assemblies were elected “mayors.” All citizens had the right to elect and be elected to any government body. authorities. Pestel proposed not direct, but two-stage elections: first, volost people's assemblies elected deputies to district and provincial assemblies, and the latter from their midst elected representatives to the highest bodies of the state. The supreme legislative body of the future Russia - the People's Assembly - was elected for a period of 5 years. Only the People's Council could make laws, declare war and make peace. No one had the right to dissolve it, since it represented, according to Pestel’s definition, the “will” and “soul” of the people in the state. The supreme executive body was the State Duma, which consisted of five people and was also elected for 5 years from members of the People's Council.

In addition to the legislative and executive powers, the state must also have a “vigilant” power, which would control the exact implementation of laws in the country and ensure that the People’s Assembly and the State Duma do not go beyond the limits established by law. The central body of supervisory power - the Supreme Council - consisted of 120 “boyars” elected for life.

The head of the Southern Society intended to free the peasants with the land and secure for them all the rights of citizenship. He also intended to destroy military settlements and transfer this land for free use to the peasants. Pestel believed that all the lands of the volost should be divided into 2 equal halves: “public land”, which will belong to the entire volost society and can neither be sold nor mortgaged, and “private” land.

The government in the new Russia must fully support entrepreneurship. Pestel also proposed a new tax system. He proceeded from the fact that all kinds of natural and personal duties should be replaced with money. Taxes should be “levied on the property of citizens, and not on their persons.”

Pestel emphasized that people, completely regardless of their race and nationality, are equal by nature, therefore a great people who have subjugated small ones cannot and should not use their superiority to oppress them.

Southern society recognized the army as the support of the movement, considering it the decisive force of the revolutionary coup. Members of the society intended to take power in the capital, forcing the king to abdicate. The Society's new tactics required organizational changes: only military personnel associated primarily with regular army units were accepted into it; discipline within the Society was tightened; All members were required to submit unconditionally to the leadership center - the Directory.

In the 2nd Army, regardless of the activities of the Vasilkovsky council, another society arose - Slavic Union, better known as Society of United Slavs. It arose in 1823 among army officers and had 52 members, advocating a democratic federation of all Slavic peoples. Having finally taken shape at the beginning of 1825, it already in the summer of 1825 joined the Southern Society as the Slavic Council (mainly through the efforts of M. Bestuzhev-Ryumin). Among the members of this society there were many enterprising people and opponents of the rule do not hurry. Sergei Muravyov-Apostol called them “chained mad dogs.”

All that remained before the start of decisive action was to enter into relations with Polish secret societies. The details of these relations and the subsequent agreement are not as clear as possible. Negotiations with a representative of the Polish Patriotic Society(otherwise Patriotic Union) Prince Yablonovsky was led personally by Pestel. Negotiations were held with the Northern Society of Decembrists about joint actions. The unification agreement was hampered by the radicalism and dictatorial ambitions of the leader of the “southerners” Pestel, whom the “northerners” feared).

Pestel developed a program document for the “southerners,” which he called “Russian Truth.” Pestel intended to carry out the planned reorganization of Russia with the assistance of the indignation of the troops. The death of Emperor Alexander and the extermination of the entire royal family were considered necessary by members of Southern society for the successful outcome of the entire enterprise. At the very least, there is no doubt that there were conversations in this sense between members of secret societies.

While Southern society was preparing for decisive action in 1826, its plans were revealed to the government. Even before Alexander I left for Taganrog, in the summer of 1825, Arakcheev received information about the conspiracy sent by the non-commissioned officer of the 3rd Bug Uhlan Regiment Sherwood (who was later given the surname Sherwood-Verny by Emperor Nicholas). He was summoned to Gruzino and personally reported to Alexander I all the details of the conspiracy. After listening to him, the sovereign said to Count Arakcheev: “let him go to the place and give him all the means to discover the intruders.” On November 25, 1825, Mayboroda, captain of the Vyatka infantry regiment, commanded by Colonel Pestel, reported in a most loyal letter various revelations regarding secret societies.

Northern Society (1822-1825)

Northern society was formed in St. Petersburg in two Decembrist groups led by N. M. Muravyov and N. I. Turgenev. It was composed of several councils in St. Petersburg (in the guards regiments) and one in Moscow. The governing body was the Supreme Duma of three people (initially N. M. Muravyov, N. I. Turgenev and E. P. Obolensky, later - S. P. Trubetskoy, K. F. Ryleev and A. A. Bestuzhev (Marlinsky) ).

Northern society was more moderate in goals than the Southern one, but the influential radical wing (K.F. Ryleev, A.A. Bestuzhev, E.P. Obolensky, I.I. Pushchin) shared the positions of P.I. Pestel’s “Russian Truth”.

The program document of the “northerners” was the “Constitution” of N. M. Muravyov. It envisioned a constitutional monarchy based on the principle of separation of powers. Legislative power belonged to the bicameral People's Assembly, executive power belonged to the emperor.

Insurrection

Among these alarming circumstances, the threads of a conspiracy began to emerge more and more clearly, covering, like a network, almost the entire Russian Empire. Adjutant General Baron Dibich, as Chief of the General Staff, took upon himself the execution of the necessary orders; he sent Adjutant General Chernyshev to Tulchin to arrest the most important figures of Southern society. Meanwhile, in St. Petersburg, members of the Northern Society decided to take advantage of the interregnum to achieve their goal of establishing a republic through a military rebellion.

Execution

More than 500 people were brought to justice as a result of the investigation. The result of the court's work was a list of 121 “state criminals”, divided into 11 categories according to the degree of offense. Outside the ranks were P. I. Pestel, K. F. Ryleev, S. I. Muravyov-Apostol, M. P. Bestuzhev-Ryumin and P. G. Kakhovsky, sentenced to death by quartering. Among the thirty-one state criminals of the first category sentenced to death by beheading were members of secret societies who gave personal consent to the regicide. The rest were sentenced to various terms of hard labor. Later, for the “first-class men” the death penalty was replaced with eternal hard labor, and for the five leaders of the uprising, quartering was replaced with death by hanging.

Notes

Literature

• Henri Troyat (literary pseudonym of Lev Tarasov) (b. 1911), French writer. Fictionalized biographies of F. M. Dostoevsky, A. S. Pushkin, M. Yu. Lermontov, L. N. Tolstoy, N. V. Gogol. A series of historical novels (“Light of the Righteous,” 1959-63) about the Decembrists. The novel-trilogy “The Egletiere Family” (1965-67); novellas; plays on it. language: Vincey “Brothers of Christ in Russia” (2004) ISBN 978-3-8334-1061-1
• E. Tumanik. Early Decembrism and Freemasonry // Tumanik E. N. Alexander Nikolaevich Muravyov: the beginning of a political biography and the foundation of the first Decembrist organizations. - Novosibirsk: Institute of History SB RAS, 2006, p. 172-179.

Sources on the history of the Decembrists

• "Report of the investigative commission of the city."
• "Report of the Warsaw Investigative Committee."
• M. Bogdanovich, “History of the reign of Emperor Alexander I” (volume six).
• A. Pypin, “The Social Movement in Russia under Alexander I.”
• bar. M. A. Korf, “The accession to the throne of Emperor Nicholas I.”
• N. Schilder, “The Interregnum in Russia from November 19 to December 14” (“Russian Starina”, city, vol. 35).
• S. Maksimov, “Siberia and hard labor” (St. Petersburg,).
• “Notes of the Decembrists”, published in London by A. Herzen.
• L.K. Chukovskaya “Decembrists - explorers of Siberia”.

Notes of the Decembrists

• “Notes of Ivan Dmitrievich Yakushkin” (London,; the second part is placed in the “Russian Archive”);
• “Notes of the book. Trubetskoy" (L.,);
• “The Fourteenth of December” by N. Pushchin (L.,);
• “Mon exil en Siberie. - Souvenirs du prince Eugène Obolenski" (Lpc.,);
• “Notes of von Wisin” (LPts., , in an abbreviated form published in “Russian Antiquity”);
• Nikita Muravyov, “Analysis of the report of the investigative commission in the city”;
• Lunin, “A Look at the Secret Society in Russia 1816-1826”;
• “Notes of I. I. Gorbachevsky” (“Russian Archive”);
• “Notes of N.V. Basargin” (“Nineteenth Century”, 1st part);
• “Memoirs of the Decembrist A. S. Gangeblov” (M.,);
• “Notes of the Decembrist” (Baron Rosen, Lpts.,);
• “Memoirs of the Decembrist (A. Belyaev) about what he experienced and felt, 1805-1850.” (SPb.,).

Links

• Draft constitutions of P. I. Pestel and N. Muravyov
• Summary (synopsis) of Shaporin’s opera “Decembrists” on the “100 Operas” website
• Nikolai Troitsky Decembrists // Russia in the 19th century. Lecture course. M., 1997.

Development of opposition ideas in Tsarist Russia XIX - early XX centuries
1810s-1826	Decembrist movement Bestuzhev (Marlinsky) A. A. | Bestuzhev-Ryumin M. P. | Volkonsky S. G. | Glinka F.N. | Davydov V.L. | Dolgorukov I. A. | Kakhovsky P. G. | Lunin M. S. | Muravyov N. M. | Muravyov-Apostol M.I. | Muravyov-Apostol S.I. | Obolensky E. P. | Pestel P.I. | Pushchin I. I. | Ryleev K. F. | Trubetskoy S. P. | Turgenev N. I. | Yushnevsky A. P. | Yakubovich A. I. | Yakushkin I. D. | List of Decembrists "Union of Salvation" | "Union of Welfare" | Northern Society | Southern Society | Society of United Slavs | Decembrist revolt “Constitution” by N. M. Muravyov | “Russian Truth” by P. I. Pestel
1826-1850s	"Contemporary" | "What to do?"
1880s-1905	Socialist Revolutionary Party | Russian Social Democratic Labor Party
1905-1917	Bolsheviks | Mensheviks | Constitutional Democratic Party