Russian history is filled with uprisings aimed against the autocracy. Most of early revolts were provoked by peasants who lacked knowledge in politics and economics. Which made it difficult to implement concrete reforms even if the uprisings were successful. However, during the 19th century everything changed. Young Russian nobles were influenced by Western European ideas, and wanted to make a difference. They organised several movements that resulted in a revolt on December 14th, 1825. Even though the Decembrists failed in achieving their goal, they became a vital part of Russian history. Therefore, it is imperative to understand their purpose, the revolt itself, and its consequences.
So what inspired these Russian revolutionaries? Most Decembrists …show more content…
Even though the Decembrists were planning the revolt for 10 years, they didn’t have a set date. They planned everything, thinking through all the details; and in 1825 they got the perfect opportunity. When Alexander I died he had no heirs to the throne, so his brother Konstantin was the next in line. However, years before the death of Alexander, Konstantin resigned his claim to the empire. Yet in November 1825 the people of Russia took an oath to be loyal to Konstantin, thus making him the tsar. He was not willing to be the tsar, and a situation arose where Russia didn’t have a de facto leader. When some believed the situation couldn’t get any worse, Alexander’s brother Nicholas claimed his right to the throne. The Decembrists believed that this was the perfect time to act because the Russian Empire did not have an acting leader at the time. They chose to stage a revolt on December 14th, 1825, the day when the troops and the Senate were supposed to swear their allegiance to Nicholas …show more content…
Sergei Troubetzkoy was elected to lead the revolt. In total the Decembrists were able to convince 3150 soldiers to be on their side, including the Moscow Guard Regiment and parts of the Grenadier Regiment second Battalion. However, everything began to fall apart. It began with Kakhovsky, who earlier agreed to sneak in Nicholas’ bedroom and kill him, refusing to do so. Later the revolutionaries also lost Yakubovich who was supposed to storm the Winter Palace. Moreover, by the time the Decembrists gathered the troops at the Senate Square, the Senate already sworn its allegiance to Nicholas I. Apparently, the tsar was warned about the attack. However, before tsar’s troops were able to end the riot ordinary citizens began to fill the square, and most were on the side of the Revolution. The capital’s centre became a complete and utter mess. After several unsuccessful tries Nicholas’ troops managed split the revolutionaries and send them into hiding, thus defeating the Decembrists. Some presume that one of the reasons the Decembrists failed was because they did not include the common people in the revolt itself. Even though they were fighting for them, the idea of working alongside peasants was disgusting even for the most liberal revolutionaries. However, judging by how people reacted at the Senate Square, it is
So what inspired these Russian revolutionaries? Most Decembrists …show more content…
Even though the Decembrists were planning the revolt for 10 years, they didn’t have a set date. They planned everything, thinking through all the details; and in 1825 they got the perfect opportunity. When Alexander I died he had no heirs to the throne, so his brother Konstantin was the next in line. However, years before the death of Alexander, Konstantin resigned his claim to the empire. Yet in November 1825 the people of Russia took an oath to be loyal to Konstantin, thus making him the tsar. He was not willing to be the tsar, and a situation arose where Russia didn’t have a de facto leader. When some believed the situation couldn’t get any worse, Alexander’s brother Nicholas claimed his right to the throne. The Decembrists believed that this was the perfect time to act because the Russian Empire did not have an acting leader at the time. They chose to stage a revolt on December 14th, 1825, the day when the troops and the Senate were supposed to swear their allegiance to Nicholas …show more content…
Sergei Troubetzkoy was elected to lead the revolt. In total the Decembrists were able to convince 3150 soldiers to be on their side, including the Moscow Guard Regiment and parts of the Grenadier Regiment second Battalion. However, everything began to fall apart. It began with Kakhovsky, who earlier agreed to sneak in Nicholas’ bedroom and kill him, refusing to do so. Later the revolutionaries also lost Yakubovich who was supposed to storm the Winter Palace. Moreover, by the time the Decembrists gathered the troops at the Senate Square, the Senate already sworn its allegiance to Nicholas I. Apparently, the tsar was warned about the attack. However, before tsar’s troops were able to end the riot ordinary citizens began to fill the square, and most were on the side of the Revolution. The capital’s centre became a complete and utter mess. After several unsuccessful tries Nicholas’ troops managed split the revolutionaries and send them into hiding, thus defeating the Decembrists. Some presume that one of the reasons the Decembrists failed was because they did not include the common people in the revolt itself. Even though they were fighting for them, the idea of working alongside peasants was disgusting even for the most liberal revolutionaries. However, judging by how people reacted at the Senate Square, it is