| December 14, 1825,
in Senate Square, St. Petersburg, marked the "first phase of Russia's
emancipation." Russia's former czar, Alexander I died, and on this day was
to be replaced by his brother, Nicholas I. A group of revolutionists, known
as Decembrists, accompanied by 3,000 rebel soldiers planned to stop the
coronation and seize control of the state.
 Home
of the Decembrist in exile |
| The Decembrist
formed as secret societies beginning in 1815, after the Napoleonic War. They
were influenced by new French and German philosophy that embodied social
change (brought about by the French Revolution.) Those who formed these
societies were part of Russia's elite upper class. They felt that Russia
needed change; partly because of economic stagnation, high taxes and ideas of
social reform in the west. The societies were divided into two main groups;
those in Russia's North and those in the South. The South, lead by Pavel
Pestel, held radical view. While the North was more conservative. Although,
both parties knew that serfdom and the autocracy should be ended they could
not agree on many other issues. For example, the role of the provisional
government and land reform were in constant debate. |
| On December 14 the
radicals had hoped they could watch the old rule be abolished, but it would
not be. All soldiers were assembled in Senate Square in order to pledge
their allegiance to the new Czar. It was at this point that approximately
3,000 of these men refused and the revolt began. Decembrist planned to
seize control during the confusion. Unfortunately, the confusion was not
enough. Nicholas I and his party used the remaining number of sworn, loyal
soldiers to put down the revolt and retain power. |
| The Decembrist plan
of revolution failed. But, their efforts and ideas began a quest against the
Czar for Russia's people. The Decembrist would not soon be forgotten, but
used as inspiration for the next revolution. |
