The first organizations of future Decembrists. Decembrist movement in Russia. Their organizations, policy documents and activities - test

The history of secret Decembrist organizations opens on February 9, 1816, when in St. Petersburg, in the barracks of the Semenovsky Life Guards Regiment, at the founding meeting of the initiative six consisting of Muravyov A.N., Muravyov N.M., brothers S.I. and M.I. Muravyov-Apostolov, I.D. Yakushkina and Trubetskoy S.P. The "Union of Salvation" was founded. From its inception, the first secret society of Decembrists, which in early 1817, after the adoption of the charter, received the name “Society of True and Faithful Sons of the Fatherland,” set as its goal the struggle against autocracy and serfdom. The meetings of the members of the Secret Society were not quiet sessions. In a heated atmosphere, in a struggle of opinions, questions were resolved that were first raised by them in Russia. Heated debates took place about the structure of the secret organization itself, its charter.

The Union of Salvation, a small, carefully secret organization, existed for only two years. She was clearly incapable of successful decisive action. Life itself raised the question of the need for the leaders of society to create a larger and stronger organization. Members of the Salvation Union decided to dissolve their society and, on its basis, create a new one, which, while preserving the constitution, would be built on different organizational principles.

While the charter and program of the future secret organization under the leadership of A. Muravyov were being developed, a “transitional” society was created in Moscow under the modest and insignificant name “Military Society.” It intended to preserve the core of the Salvation Union and replenish the ranks of the organization with new members. “His goal,” wrote Yakushkin, “was only to spread society and unite like-minded people.” “Notes of I.D. Yakushkina"

Members of the “Military Society” carved the identifying words “For Truth” on the blades of their swords. At the meetings they talked a lot and freely about the government, about military settlements, about the despotism of Alexander I. Having successfully fulfilled its functions, the “Military Society” was dissolved. It gave way new organization- “Union of Welfare”.

The “Union of Welfare,” formed in Moscow in 1818, significantly expanded its circle and decided, relying on the most diverse strata of society, to prepare public opinion for the struggle for a political revolution and the overthrow of the monarchy, for the establishment of a republic. It was quite large organization, numbering about 200 people. Its composition still remained noble, there were many young people and military men. The organizational formation of the Union of Welfare was preceded by approximately a four-month preparatory period, during which the company's charter was created. The first part of the Union’s charter, called the “Green Book” based on the color of the binding, was written by a commission consisting of Sergei Trubetskoy, Mikhail Muravyov, Nikita Muravyov and Pyotr Koloshin. During the work of the commission, Mikhail Muravyov made a proposal to submit the company's charter for approval to Alexander I, but the rest reacted negatively to this plan. History of Russia: For universities / Ed. M.N. Zueva, A.A. Chernobaeva. - M.: graduate School, 2000. P. 73.

Despite the fact that the Green Book contained only general provisions, written in the spirit of the tasks of disseminating education and charity, which were introduced to everyone entering the society, the overwhelming majority of members of the founders of the Union considered the newly created organization as secret and conspiratorial, which the government should not know about. The Green Book was not found in the first part direct expression The political goals of the “Union of Welfare” were the struggle to limit autocracy and the abolition of serfdom, but those practical measures were quite clearly formulated that were supposed to contribute to the numerical growth of the organization and its conquest of public opinion. The authors of the Green Book established four main areas of activity for members of the organization:

• 1) love of humanity;
• 2) education;
• 3) justice;
• 4) public economy.

Each member of society had to choose one of these industries to work in. The first part of the charter of the “Union of Welfare” was not a secret for most members of society. There was also a second part of the Green Book, which outlined the secret goal of the Union of Welfare. It was an important political document of the early stage of the Decembrist movement. It talked about the need to overthrow the autocracy, eliminate serfdom, and introduce constitutional government. This part was known only to special initiates.

After the official adoption of the charter of the Union of Welfare, the period of organizational formation of the society began. A governing body was created - the Indigenous Council - endowed with legislative functions, composed of the founding members of the society who were present at the formation of the organization. A Council (Duma) was also elected, which had executive power. The society had organizations (governments) in Moscow and on the periphery.

The legal activities of members of the society consisted of attempts to influence public opinion through educational organizations, books, and literary almanacs.

There were fierce debates between members of society about the future structure of Russia and the tactics of a revolutionary coup. Over time, fundamental disagreements between its leading members on programmatic and tactical issues emerged more and more clearly in the society. The leaders of the Union recognized the need to develop new revolutionary tactics and, relying on the army, outline plans for a close attack.

In 1820, the topics of the republic, regicide and provisional government were actively discussed in the Secret Society. The internal struggle intensified. The new plans displeased moderate members. Some of them left the Society. Joint activity of people of different minds became impossible. A congress convened in Moscow in 1821 decided to liquidate the Union of Welfare. Radical members of the Union wanted, under the guise of this decision, to free themselves from its weak and wavering members and organize a new secret society. This decision was also influenced by the uprising in the Semenovsky regiment. The reason for it was the monstrous cruelty of the new regimental commander Schwartz. But Alexander I saw in this speech a consequence of revolutionary propaganda. The uprising was suppressed, and repression against free thought intensified.

In March 1821, the “Southern” secret society arose in Ukraine, and in the fall of 1822, the “Northern” secret society appeared in St. Petersburg. Their ideologists accordingly became: P.I. Pestel and Nikita Muravyov ( Brief information about some members of the “Northern” and “Southern” societies are presented in Appendix 1).

Both organizations viewed themselves as a single entity. Despite some disagreements on program issues, they were united by a common goal - the fight against serfdom and autocracy. They agreed on a plan of joint action, choosing the tactics of a military coup.

The central issue was the development of program documents: N.M. Muravyov wrote the “Constitution”, P.I. Pestel - “Russian Truth”. These were two outstanding political programs that enriched revolutionary thought in Russia. Muravyov's Constitution, which reflected the views of the moderate part of the members of Northern society, was less radical than Pestel's republican "Russian Truth", although many of the provisions of these documents are similar.

There were disagreements on the issue of the state structure of Russia. N.M. Muravyov proposed a constitutional monarchy with the provision of legislative power to parliament - the People's Assembly, and executive power - to the emperor (this power was inherited). P.I. Pestel spoke out for the republican system. The legislative power is in the parliament (also the People's Assembly), and the executive power is in the State Duma, elected for a 5-year term of five people. Every year, one of the five members of the Duma became the president of the republic, and then dropped out of its composition.

On the agrarian-peasant issue, both authors insisted on the immediate and complete abolition of serfdom. But there were disagreements regarding the issue of allocating land to peasants. N.M. Muravyov provided for the provision of peasants with a personal plot and two acres of arable land per yard. P.I. Pestel proposed another project. All land was divided into public and private. Public lands could not be sold, bought, or mortgaged. They were provided free of charge to the peasants. To form a public land fund, Pestel considered it possible to partially confiscate the landowners' land.

The projects also provided for the introduction in Russia of broad democratic freedoms, abolition of class privileges, relief military service soldier.

There were differences in voting rights. Russkaya Pravda proposed unlimited suffrage for all men over 20 years of age. The “Constitution” limited this right with a high property qualification, excluding the poor population from political life.

In general, “Russian Truth” was more progressive than the Constitution, but for their time they were advanced in nature and were programs of revolutionary change. Platonov, S.F. Textbook of Russian history. - St. Petersburg: Nauka, 1997.- 428 p.

Three months before the uprising, the Southern Secret Society merged with the secret “Society of United Slavs,” which existed since 1823 and set as its goal the unification of all Slavic peoples into one democratic republican federation. Active agitation was launched among the troops among officers and soldiers with the aim of preparing an uprising in the summer of 1926.

Changing their names and gradually reorganizing, the secret societies existed from the day of their founding until the day of the uprising for about ten years. The tsarist government, of course, imagined that the protest against autocracy and serfdom was maturing and expanding, but Alexander I received more detailed information about the existence of secret societies only on the eve of his death, and Nicholas I - during the interregnum.

“Order of Russian Knights” (Count M. A. Dmitriev-Mamonov, General M. F. Orlov), “Sacred Artel” (N. N. Muravyov and A. N. Muravyov), Semenov Artel (S. P. Trubetskoy, S.I. Muravyov-Apostol, I.D. Yakushkin, about 15-20 people in total), as well as the circle of V.F. Raevsky.
By order of Alexander I in 1815, the Semenov artel, the most numerous (remember: 15-20 people - M.K.) of all pre-Decembrist organizations, was banned. All these organizations existed in a legal or semi-legal position.

On February 9, 1816, members of the Sacred and Semyonov artels united into the first Decembrist organization, called the “Union of Salvation.”

1. Union of Salvation. 1816 – 1817

Created in St. Petersburg. The initiator of the creation is Alexander Muravyov (23 years old, Colonel of the Guards Staff). Young officers entered: Nikita Muravyov, brothers M.I. and S.I. Muravyov-Apostoly, S.P. Trubetskoy, I.D. Yakushkin, P.I. Pestel. A statute was adopted - the charter of the company. From that time on, it received the name “Society of True and Faithful Sons of the Fatherland.” The society included 30 officers.

Goals: introduction of a constitution and abolition of serfdom. There were no clear ideas about the reform program, there was no clarity by what means the goal could be achieved. Members of the society still hoped that Alexander I would give a constitution, especially since he promised in 1818 in Warsaw during the opening of the Polish Sejm to give Russia a constitution. Members of the society wanted to support the emperor if he introduced a constitution. But the officers were disappointed by the real policy of the emperor. No reforms followed. In 1817, it became known about an uprising of peasants in the Novgorod province who did not want to be transferred to military peasantry. Yakushkin proposed to kill the Tsar: he would sneak into the Tsar’s chambers, use one revolver to kill the Emperor, and use the other to kill himself; this murder would have the character of a noble duel. Decembrist disputes flared up over the issue of the assassination of the emperor. Members of society decided to refuse to kill the king, since their organization is small and they still will not be able to come to power and carry out reforms, even if they succeed in committing regicide. Members of the society decided to liquidate the “Union of Salvation” and create a new organization.

The progressive members finally decided to dissolve the organization, creating on its basis a new, more organized, broad and united one. It was created as a transitional organization "Military Society" in October 1817, which included most of the members of the Salvation Union. The "Military Society" was dissolved in January 1818, and on its basis was formed Welfare Union.
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).

2. Union of Prosperity. 1818 – 1821

Created in Moscow and then St. Petersburg.
The Union of Welfare has developed a charter - the Green Book. According to the charter, the immediate task of the society was the spread of education, i.e. At first, the union set educational goals.

Goals: introduction of a constitution, equality of citizens before the law, transparency in government affairs, abolition of serfdom, conscription, military settlements.

The Welfare Union paid considerable attention to shaping public opinion in favor of reforms, a necessary condition for transformation. Even the French educators wrote that public opinion rules the world. The authorities are obliged to listen to public opinion and carry out reforms. It takes about 20 years to create public opinion. There should be widespread propaganda of educational ideas in literary and charitable societies, salons, in all public organizations; articles should be published in magazines that will introduce the public to constitutional, liberal ideas. Members of the Union of Welfare are members of various public organizations, for example "Green Lamp".

In the Union of Welfare arose two currents:

- moderate, which did not go beyond educational objectives;

- radical, focused on the tactics of military revolution and the republic.

Causes appeal to the tactics of military revolution– a military uprising without the participation of the people in it:

Narrow social base

Small number of organization members

The leaders of the organization were officers and under their command were regiments and battalions

This tactic was successfully used by revolutionaries in different European countries(Greece),

Alexander's domestic policy became openly reactionary, Arakcheev actually came to power, and the Decembrists wanted to speed up their rise to power. They did not expect the government to carry out reforms.

Success palace coups in Russia

The Decembrists did not want the people to participate in the uprising, believing that a popular revolt was “senseless and merciless” (Pushkin’s words from “ The captain's daughter"). The Decembrists took into account the experience of European revolutions. French revolution 1789-1893, folk in its own way driving forces, was accompanied by “riots and anarchy,” anarchy. And the Spanish revolution of 1820, carried out without the participation of the people with the assistance of the army, was bloodless. The Decembrists believed that popular revolutions inevitably lead to the despotism of a dictator. “Unbridled masses” is a condition for the emergence of a dictator who sought to restore order and curb the masses.

The Decembrists believed that the military revolution would be “the fastest, bloodless, painless,” and most importantly, organized, and it would be possible to prevent anarchy. The Decembrists believed that the popular revolt in Russia was “Pugachevism” - the horrors of reprisals against nobles. The military revolution is an opportunity to prevent “Pugachevism”.

Causes dissolution Welfare Union:

Ideological differences

The desire of radicals to free themselves from unreliable and wavering fellow travelers

The Decembrists knew about denunciations against their organization

It was necessary to conceal the activities of a political organization

Eliminate Pestel, whose extreme radicalism and increased influence on the affairs of the secret society caused its leaders.

3. Southern Society 1821 – 1825

Leaders: Pestel, Yushnevsky, S. Muravyov-Apostol, P. Bestuzhev-Ryumin, Volkonsky.

Members of the Southern Society served in the troops serving in Ukraine. The city of Tulchin became the center of Southern society. Southern society was dominated by Pestel, whose authority was unquestionable.

Pestel developed the program "Russian Truth".

4. Northern society 1821 – 1825

Leaders: N. Muravyov, Trubetskoy, Pushchin (friend of Pushkin), Ryleev (poet), Lunin, Obolensky.

N. Muravyov developed the project "Constitution". It was not a Nordic Society program. The draft “Constitution” was discussed by members of the society; Muravyov did not have time to complete work on the organization’s program.

Muravyov's project was more moderate, it was more in line with Russian reality. The consciousness of the Russian people was monarchical.

Pestel's project was radical.

The reform programs were based on the ideas of the Enlightenment. The Decembrists attempted adapt the ideas of the Enlightenment to Russian conditions.

5. Society of United Slavs 1823 – 1825

Novgorod-Volynsky (Ukraine)

In 1825 this society became part of the Southern Society.

DECEMBRISTS

The origin of the movement of noble revolutionaries was determined both by the internal processes taking place in Russia and by the international events of the first quarter of the XIX V.

Causes and nature of movement. main reason- understanding by the best representatives of the nobility that the preservation of serfdom and autocracy is disastrous for the future fate of the country.

An important reason was the Patriotic War of 1812 and the presence of the Russian army in Europe in 1813-1815. The future Decembrists called themselves “children of the 12th year.” They realized that the people who saved Russia from enslavement and liberated Europe from Napoleon deserved a better fate. Acquaintance with European reality convinced the leading part of the nobles that the serfdom of the Russian peasantry needed to be changed. They found confirmation of these thoughts in the works of French enlighteners who spoke out against feudalism and absolutism. The ideology of the noble revolutionaries also took shape on domestic soil, since many state and public figures already in the XVIII - early XIX V. condemned serfdom.

The international situation also contributed to the formation of a revolutionary worldview among some Russian nobles. By figuratively P.I. For Pestel, one of the most radical leaders of secret societies, the spirit of transformation made “minds bubble everywhere.”

“Whatever the mail, it’s a revolution,” they said, hinting at receiving information in Russia about the revolutionary and national liberation movement in Europe and Latin America. The ideology of European and Russian revolutionaries, their strategy and tactics largely coincided. Therefore, the uprising in Russia in 1825 is on a par with all-European revolutionary processes. They had an objectively bourgeois character.

However, the Russian social movement had its own specifics. It was expressed in the fact that in Russia there was virtually no bourgeoisie capable of fighting for its interests and for democratic changes. The broad masses of the people were dark, uneducated and downtrodden. For a long time they retained monarchical illusions and political inertia. Therefore, revolutionary ideology and understanding of the need to modernize the country took shape at the beginning of the 19th century. exclusively among the advanced part of the nobility, who opposed the interests of their class. The circle of revolutionaries was extremely limited - mainly representatives of the noble nobility and the privileged officer corps.

Secret societies in Russia appeared at the turn of the 18th-19th centuries. They had a Masonic character, and their participants shared mainly a liberal-enlightenment ideology. In 1811-1812 There was a group of 7 people called “Choka”, created by N.N. Muravyov. In a fit of youthful idealism, its members dreamed of founding a republic on the island of Sakhalin. After graduation Patriotic War 1812 secret organizations existed in the form of officer partnerships, circles of young people connected by family and friendly ties. In 1814 in St. Petersburg N.N. Muravyov formed the “Sacred Artel”. Also known is the Order of Russian Knights, founded by M.F. Orlov. These organizations did not actually take active actions, but had great importance, since they formed the ideas and views of future leaders of the movement.

The first political organizations. In February 1816, after the return of most of the Russian army from Europe, a secret society of future Decembrists, the “Union of Salvation,” arose in St. Petersburg. Since February 1817, it was called the “Society of True and Faithful Sons of the Fatherland.” It was founded by: P.I. Pestel, A.N. Muravyov, S.P. Trubetskoy. They were joined by K.F. Ryleev, I.D. Yakushkin, M.S. Lunin, S.I. Muravyov-Apostol and others.

"Union of Salvation" - the first Russian political organization, which had revolutionary program and the charter - "Statute". It contained two main ideas for reconstruction Russian society- the abolition of serfdom and the destruction of autocracy. Serfdom was seen as a disgrace and the main obstacle to progressive development Russia, autocracy is like an outdated political system. The document spoke of the need to introduce a constitution that would limit the rights of absolute power. Despite heated debates and serious disagreements (some members of society ardently spoke out for a republican form of government), the majority considered a constitutional monarchy to be the ideal of the future political system. This was the first watershed in the views of the Decembrists. Disputes on this issue continued until 1825.

In January 1818, the Union of Welfare was created - a fairly large organization, numbering about 200 people. Its composition still remained predominantly noble. There were a lot of young people in it, and the military predominated. The organizers and leaders were A.N. and N.M. Muravyov, S.I. and M.I. Muravyov-Apostoly, P.I. Pestel, I.D. Yakushkin, M.S. Lunin and others. The organization received a fairly clear structure. The Root Council, the general governing body, and the Council (Duma), which had executive power, were elected. Local organizations of the Union of Welfare appeared in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Tulchin, Chisinau, Tambov, Nizhny Novgorod.

The program and charter of the union were called the “Green Book” (based on the color of the binding). Conspiratorial tactics and secrecy among leaders. They called for the development of two parts of the program. The first, associated with legal forms of activity, was intended for all members of society. The second part, which spoke of the need to overthrow the autocracy, abolish serfdom, introduce constitutional government and, most importantly, to implement these demands by violent means, was known especially to the initiated.

All members of society took part in legal activities. They tried to influence public opinion. For this purpose, educational organizations were created, books and literary almanacs were published. Members of society also acted by personal example - they freed their serfs, bought them from landowners, and freed the most gifted peasants.

Members of the organization (mainly within the framework of the Root Council) conducted fierce debates about the future structure of Russia and the tactics of the revolutionary coup. Some insisted on a constitutional monarchy, others on a republican form of government. By 1820, Republicans began to dominate. The means of achieving the goal were considered by the Root Government to be a conspiracy based on the army. Discussion of tactical issues - when and how to carry out a coup - revealed great differences between radical and moderate leaders. Events in Russia and Europe (uprising in the Semenovsky regiment, revolutions in Spain and Naples) inspired members of the organization to seek more radical actions. The most decisive insisted on the speedy preparation of a military coup. Moderates objected to this.

At the beginning of 1821, due to ideological and tactical differences, a decision was made to dissolve the Union of Welfare. By taking such a step, the leadership of the society intended to get rid of traitors and spies who, as they reasonably believed, could infiltrate the organization. Has begun new period associated with the creation of new organizations and active preparation for a revolutionary uprising.

In March 1821, the Southern Society was formed in Ukraine. Its creator and leader was P.I. Pestel, a staunch republican, distinguished by some dictatorial habits. The founders were also A.P. Yushnevsky, N.V. Basargin, V.P. Ivashev and others. In 1822, the Northern Society was formed in St. Petersburg. Its recognized leaders were N.M. Muravyov, K.F. Ryleev, S.P. Trubetskoy, M.S. Lunin. Both societies “had no other idea how to act together.” These were large political organizations for that time, possessing well-theoretically developed program documents.

Constitutional projects. The main projects discussed were “Constitution” by N.M. Muravyov and "Russian Truth" P.I. Pestel. The "Constitution" reflected the views of the moderate part of the Decembrists, "Russkaya Pravda" - the radical ones. The focus was on the question of the future state structure of Russia.

N.M. Muravyov advocated a constitutional monarchy - political system, in which executive power belonged to the emperor (the hereditary power of the king was preserved for continuity), and legislative power belonged to parliament ("People's Assembly"). The suffrage of citizens was limited by a fairly high property qualification. Thus, a significant part of the poor population was excluded from the political life of the country.

P.I. Pestel unconditionally spoke out for the republican political system. In his project, the legislative power was vested in a unicameral parliament, and the executive power was vested in the “Sovereign Duma” consisting of five people. Every year one of the members of the “Sovereign Duma” became the president of the republic. P.I. Pestel proclaimed the principle of universal voting rights. In accordance with the ideas of P.I. Pestel, a parliamentary republic with a presidential form of government was to be established in Russia. It was one of the most progressive political projects government structure that time.

In solving the most important agrarian-peasant issue for Russia, P.I. Pestel and N.M. Muravyov unanimously recognized the need for the complete abolition of serfdom and the personal liberation of peasants. This idea ran like a red thread through everything. policy documents Decembrists. However, the issue of allocating land to peasants was resolved by them in different ways.

N.M. Muravyov, considering landowners' ownership of land inviolable, proposed transferring ownership to the peasants personal plot and 2 acres of arable land per yard. This was clearly not enough to run a profitable peasant farm.

According to P.I. Pestel, part of the landowners' land was confiscated and transferred to a public fund to provide workers with an allotment sufficient for their "subsistence." Thus, for the first time in Russia, the principle of land distribution according to labor standards was put forward. Consequently, in resolving the land issue P.I. Pestel spoke from more radical positions than N.M. Muravyov.

Both projects also concerned other aspects of the Russian socio-political system. They provided for the introduction of broad democratic civil liberties, the abolition of class privileges, and significant simplification of military service for soldiers. N.M. Muravyov suggested federal structure future Russian state, P.I. Pestel insisted on preserving an indivisible Russia, in which all nations were to merge into one.

In the summer of 1825, the southerners agreed on joint actions with the leaders of the Polish Patriotic Society. At the same time, the “Society of United Slavs” joined them, forming a special Slavic council. All of them launched active agitation among the troops with the aim of preparing an uprising in the summer of 1826. However, important internal political events forced them to speed up their action.

Uprising in St. Petersburg. After the death of Tsar Alexander I, an extraordinary situation arose in the country - an interregnum. The leaders of the Northern Society decided that the change of emperors created a favorable moment for speaking out. They developed a plan for the uprising and scheduled it for December 14, the day the Senate took the oath to Nicholas. The conspirators wanted to force the Senate to accept their new program document - “Manifesto to the Russian People” - and instead of swearing allegiance to the emperor, proclaim the transition to constitutional rule.

The “Manifesto” formulated the main demands of the Decembrists: the destruction of the previous government, i.e. autocracy; abolition of serfdom and introduction of democratic freedoms. Much attention was paid to improving the situation of soldiers: the abolition of conscription, corporal punishment, and the system of military settlements was proclaimed. The “Manifesto” announced the establishment of a temporary revolutionary government and the convening after some time of a Great Council of representatives of all classes of Russia to determine the future political structure of the country.

Early in the morning of December 14, 1825, the most active members of the Northern Society began agitation among the troops of St. Petersburg. They intended to bring them to Senate Square and thereby influence the senators. However, things moved rather slowly. Only at 11 o’clock in the morning was it possible to bring the Moscow Life Guards Regiment to Senate Square. At one o'clock in the afternoon, the rebels were joined by sailors of the Guards naval crew and some other parts of the St. Petersburg garrison - about 3 thousand soldiers and sailors led by Decembrist officers. But further events did not develop according to plan. It turned out that the Senate had already sworn allegiance to Emperor Nicholas I and the senators went home. There was no one to present the Manifesto to. S.P. Trubetskoy, appointed dictator of the uprising, did not appear on the square. The rebels found themselves without leadership and doomed themselves to a senseless wait-and-see tactic.

Meanwhile, Nikolai gathered units loyal to him in the square and decisively used them. Artillery grapeshot scattered the ranks of the rebels, who in disorderly flight tried to escape on the ice of the Neva. The uprising in St. Petersburg was crushed. Arrests of members of the society and their sympathizers began.

Revolt in the south. Despite the arrests of some leaders of the Southern Society and the news of the defeat of the uprising in St. Petersburg, those who remained free decided to support their comrades. December 29, 1825 S.I. Muravyov-Apostol and M.P. Bestuzhev-Ryumin rebelled in the Chernigov regiment. Initially, it was doomed to failure. On January 3, 1826, the regiment was surrounded by government troops and shot with grapeshot.

Investigation and trial. 579 people were involved in the investigation, which took place secretly and closed. 289 were found guilty. Nicholas I decided to severely punish the rebels. Five people - P.I. Pestel, K.F. Ryleev, S.I. Muravyov-Apostol, M.P. Bestuzhev-Ryumin and P.G. Kakhovsky - were hanged. The rest, divided according to the degree of guilt into several categories, were exiled to hard labor, to settlement in Siberia, demoted to soldiers and transferred to the Caucasus in active army. None of the punished Decembrists returned home during Nicholas’s lifetime. Some of the soldiers and sailors were beaten to death with spitzrutens and sent to Siberia and the Caucasus. For many years in Russia it was forbidden to mention the uprising.

The reasons for the defeat and the significance of the Decembrists’ speech. The reliance on conspiracy and a military coup, the weakness of propaganda activities, the insufficient preparedness of society for changes, lack of coordination of actions, and wait-and-see tactics at the time of the uprising are the main reasons for the defeat of the Decembrists.

However, their performance became a significant event in Russian history. The Decembrists developed the first revolutionary program and plan for the future structure of the country. For the first time, a practical attempt was made to change the socio-political system of Russia. The ideas and activities of the Decembrists had a significant impact on further development social thought.

What you need to know about this topic:

Socio-economic development of Russia in the first half of the 19th century. Social structure population.

Development of agriculture.

Development of Russian industry in the first half of the 19th century. The formation of capitalist relations. Industrial revolution: essence, prerequisites, chronology.

Development of water and highway communications. Start of railway construction.

Exacerbation of socio-political contradictions in the country. The palace coup of 1801 and the accession to the throne of Alexander I. "Alexander's Days" great start".

Peasant question. Decree "On Free Plowmen". Government measures in the field of education. State activities of M.M. Speransky and his plan for state reforms. Creation of the State Council.

Russia's participation in anti-French coalitions. Treaty of Tilsit.

Patriotic War of 1812. International relations on the eve of the war. Causes and beginning of the war. Balance of forces and military plans of the parties. M.B. Barclay de Tolly. P.I. Bagration. M.I.Kutuzov. Stages of war. Results and significance of the war.

Foreign campaigns of 1813-1814. Congress of Vienna and its decisions. Holy Alliance.

The internal situation of the country in 1815-1825. Strengthening conservative sentiments in Russian society. A.A. Arakcheev and Arakcheevism. Military settlements.

Foreign policy of tsarism in the first quarter of the 19th century.

The first secret organizations of the Decembrists were the “Union of Salvation” and the “Union of Prosperity”. Northern and Southern society. The main program documents of the Decembrists are “Russian Truth” by P.I. Pestel and “Constitution” by N.M. Muravyov. Death of Alexander I. Interregnum. Uprising on December 14, 1825 in St. Petersburg. Uprising of the Chernigov regiment. Investigation and trial of the Decembrists. The significance of the Decembrist uprising.

The beginning of the reign of Nicholas I. Strengthening autocratic power. Further centralization, bureaucratization political system Russia. Intensifying repressive measures. Creation of the III department. Censorship regulations. The era of censorship terror.

Codification. M.M. Speransky. Reform of state peasants. P.D. Kiselev. Decree "On Obligated Peasants".

Polish uprising 1830-1831

The main directions of Russian foreign policy in the second quarter of the 19th century.

Eastern question. Russo-Turkish War 1828-1829 The problem of the straits in Russian foreign policy in the 30s and 40s of the 19th century.

Russia and the revolutions of 1830 and 1848. in Europe.

Crimean War. International relations on the eve of the war. Causes of the war. Progress of military operations. Russia's defeat in the war. Peace of Paris 1856. International and domestic consequences of the war.

Annexation of the Caucasus to Russia.

The formation of the state (imamate) in the North Caucasus. Muridism. Shamil. Caucasian War. The significance of the annexation of the Caucasus to Russia.

Social thought and social movement in Russia in the second quarter of the 19th century.

Formation of government ideology. The theory of official nationality. Mugs from the late 20s - early 30s of the 19th century.

N.V. Stankevich’s circle and German idealistic philosophy. A.I. Herzen’s circle and utopian socialism. "Philosophical Letter" by P.Ya.Chaadaev. Westerners. Moderate. Radicals. Slavophiles. M.V. Butashevich-Petrashevsky and his circle. The theory of "Russian socialism" by A.I. Herzen.

Socio-economic and political background bourgeois reforms of the 60-70s of the XIX century.

Peasant reform. Preparation of reform. "Regulation" February 19, 1861 Personal liberation of the peasants. Allotments. Ransom. Duties of peasants. Temporary condition.

Zemstvo, judicial, urban reforms. Financial reforms. Reforms in the field of education. Censorship rules. Military reforms. The meaning of bourgeois reforms.

Socio-economic development of Russia in the second half of the 19th century. Social structure of the population.

Industrial development. Industrial revolution: essence, prerequisites, chronology. The main stages of the development of capitalism in industry.

The development of capitalism in agriculture. Rural community in post-reform Russia. Agrarian crisis of the 80-90s of the XIX century.

Social movement in Russia in the 50-60s of the 19th century.

Social movement in Russia in the 70-90s of the 19th century.

Revolutionary populist movement of the 70s - early 80s of the 19th century.

"Land and Freedom" of the 70s of the XIX century. "People's Will" and "Black Redistribution". Assassination of Alexander II on March 1, 1881. The collapse of Narodnaya Volya.

Labor movement in the second half of the 19th century. Strike struggle. The first workers' organizations. A work issue arises. Factory legislation.

Liberal populism of the 80-90s of the 19th century. Spread of the ideas of Marxism in Russia. Group "Emancipation of Labor" (1883-1903). The emergence of Russian social democracy. Marxist circles of the 80s of the XIX century.

St. Petersburg "Union of Struggle for the Liberation of the Working Class." V.I. Ulyanov. "Legal Marxism".

Political reaction of the 80-90s of the XIX century. The era of counter-reforms.

Alexander III. Manifesto on the “inviolability” of autocracy (1881). The policy of counter-reforms. Results and significance of counter-reforms.

International position of Russia after the Crimean War. Changing the country's foreign policy program. The main directions and stages of Russian foreign policy in the second half of the 19th century.

Russia in the system international relations after the Franco-Prussian War. Union of Three Emperors.

Russia and the Eastern crisis of the 70s of the XIX century. The goals of Russia's policy in the eastern question. Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878: causes, plans and forces of the parties, course of military operations. Treaty of San Stefano. Berlin Congress and its decisions. The role of Russia in the liberation of the Balkan peoples from the Ottoman yoke.

Foreign policy of Russia in the 80-90s of the XIX century. Formation of the Triple Alliance (1882). Deterioration of Russia's relations with Germany and Austria-Hungary. Conclusion of the Russian-French alliance (1891-1894).

• Buganov V.I., Zyryanov P.N. History of Russia: the end of the 17th - 19th centuries. . - M.: Education, 1996.

Introduction……………………………………………………………………… 2
1. The reasons for the emergence of the Decembrist movement………………………….. 4
2. The first Decembrist organizations: their activities, goals
and programs………………………………………………………………. 8
3. Southern and Northern society: goals, programs, activities………… 13
3.1. The main program provisions of “Russkaya Pravda”……………... 14
3.2. The main provisions of Muravyov’s constitution………………………. 18
4. Coup plan. Causes of defeat and significance
speeches of the Decembrists…………………………………………………………….. 22
Conclusion…………………………………………………… ………………... 27
List of references…………………………………………………………….. 29

INTRODUCTION

On December 14, 1825, a bold challenge was made to the autocracy in the capital Russian Empire- St. Petersburg, on Senate Square. The Decembrist uprising is the starting date for the beginning of the revolutionary liberation struggle in Russia. Only a small part of the educated progressive nobility protested against serfdom, feudal institutions and the arbitrariness of the autocracy, in unusually difficult and complex historical conditions, when Russia was still downtrodden and motionless, while in general the Russian nobility remained serf-minded and loyal to the throne.
The Decembrists constitute an entire era not only in the revolutionary movement in Russia, but also in the history of social thought and Russian culture in general. The Decembrist uprising against tsarism acquired great international significance and received a significant response in the countries of Western Europe. The influence of the Decembrists on all aspects of socio-political and cultural life not only of their time, but also of the subsequent era was exceptionally great. The Decembrist theme was widely reflected in fiction, music, and fine arts. This explains the relevance of the topic I have chosen. Because the noble ideals and high moral values ​​of the Decembrists, the significance of their revolutionary feat are eternal.
The purpose of the course work is to study: - the reasons for the emergence of the Decembrist movement; - the activities of noble revolutionaries, which preceded the armed uprising; - program requirements and tactical principles of the Decembrists; - the Decembrist uprising - as the culminating event and at the same time the result of the Decembrist movement; - the significance of their activities and the reasons for the defeat of the uprising.
The main objective of this course work is to show that it was the Decembrists who were the first to understand that autocracy and serfdom were the main reasons for the backwardness of Russia, therefore the liquidation of autocracy was considered by them as a deeply patriotic task of “saving” Russia. In their program documents, the Decembrists set as their primary goal the liberation of Russia from the yoke of serfdom and the tyranny of the autocracy, the transformation of the Russians into an advanced nation with a highly developed national culture.
The first section of the course work is devoted to studying the reasons for the emergence of the first revolutionary movement in Russia and the formation of the worldview of the Decembrists.
The second and third sections examine the period of creation of the first Decembrist organizations, the activities of the Southern and Northern Decembrist societies. The constitutional projects of the Decembrists were studied - “Russian Truth” by Pestel and “Constitution” by Nikita Muravyov.
The fourth section of this course work describes the preparation and progress of the uprising on December 14, 1825 in St. Petersburg and the performance of the Chernigov regiment in Ukraine. The reasons for the defeat and the significance of the Decembrists' speech are analyzed.

1. REASONS FOR THE MOVEMENT
DECEMBRISTS

The emergence of the movement of noble revolutionaries was determined both by internal processes taking place in Russia and by international events in the first quarter of the 19th century. Let us consider the main reasons that influenced the emergence of the Decembrist movement.
The main reason is the understanding of the best representatives of the nobility that the preservation of serfdom and autocracy is disastrous for the future fate of the country. The Decembrists gradually realized the fight against serfdom and autocracy as the main goal of their activities. Objectively, the Decembrist movement was generated by the crisis of the feudal-serf social formation and is rooted in the leading process of the era - the decomposition of the aging, exhausted feudal-serf system and the emergence of new, at that time progressive, capitalist relations. Serfdom and autocracy were a brake on the country's development. The autocratic serfdom system fettered the country's productive forces and hampered their further development. The main producer of life's goods - the serf - the landowner could buy, sell, lose at cards, etc. Everything was subordinated to the interests of the noble class, whose interests were guarded by the autocracy. The disintegration of serfdom under the influence of the development of capitalist relations was the soil on which the spontaneous peasant movement against serfdom grew and developed. In an effort to get more grain and goods, the landowner went on the offensive on the peasant land, reducing their allotments.
Having won the war thanks to the people, the tsarist government was not slow to show its true colors - the oppression of the people became even more severe. The landowners raged against the peasants, and the new tsarist laws supported their power. Serf oppression intensified in the army. In 1815-1825 Alexander I pursued domestic and foreign policy with the help of A.A. Arakcheev and created a military-political regime in Russia. Military settlements were created throughout the country - the worst form of military serfdom. Peasant soldiers had to engage in military training and at the same time cultivate the land, support themselves by laboring to obtain food.
The commercial and industrial layers of the population experienced obstacles to the manifestation of entrepreneurial initiative, as well as the rise and expansion of the profitability of factories and factories (due to the lack of free labor, Arakcheevism in domestic policy). Part of the nobility, who strived for trade and entrepreneurship, also experienced dissatisfaction. The inveterate serf-owners-nobles did not feel confident in the inviolability of the foundations of the existing order.
A powerful motivating factor was the Patriotic War of 1812 and the presence of the Russian army in Europe in 1813-1815. The overwhelming majority of the Decembrists were military officers of the Russian army, participants in the War of 1812, and for two years they could observe European society, the way of life and the principles on which it is based. Upon returning home, they saw the reality around them with different eyes. Acquaintance with European reality convinced the leading part of the nobles that the serfdom of the Russian peasantry needed to be changed. They saw that victory in the war was ensured, first of all, by the participation of the common people, suffering from the tyranny of the feudal landowners and having no prospects for improving their position in the conditions of the autocratic serf state. M. Muravyov-Apostol expressed the influence of military events on the beliefs of the Decembrists as follows: “We were children of 1812. To sacrifice everything, even life, for the good of the fatherland was the desire of the heart.”
______________________________ _
1. Yosifova B. Decembrists.- M: 1983.- P. 5
Thus, in an atmosphere of general discontent, critical statements addressed to the government, and most importantly - in anticipation of a growing catastrophe, a revolutionary movement arose in Russia, which marked
the beginning of a conscious political and organized struggle against serfdom and autocracy. The leading noble intelligentsia became the spokesmen for bourgeois revolutionary ideology. The first noble revolutionaries who began their action against tsarism in December 1825 were given the name “Decembrists.”
The leading role of the nobility is explained by the fact that the Russian bourgeoisie during this period was not yet active in the social movement. The bourgeoisie was quite happy with the economic policy of tsarism, aimed at developing capitalism from above. In addition, the bourgeoisie at that time had not yet developed its own intelligentsia. The political capacity of the Russian bourgeoisie lagged far behind its economic power.
The future Decembrists drew their main ideas from the works of French enlighteners, who showed the futility of preserving feudalism and absolutism. The works of Voltaire and Rousseau expanded the revolutionary horizons of the future Decembrists. The ideology of the noble revolutionaries also took shape on domestic soil. Freedom-loving poems by Pushkin, “Journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow” by A.N. Radishchev, “Woe from Wit” by Griboyedov and others, nourished and deepened progressive ideas in society.
Of great importance in the transition of future Decembrists to an active struggle against the autocracy were international events those years. The national liberation and revolutionary movement, which manifested itself in a number of countries in Southern and Western Europe, aroused their sympathy and strengthened the conviction that Russia would have to follow this path.
Historical reality suggested ways of struggle to the Decembrists and made them think about the revolution. The general excited atmosphere of the person who raised them was perfectly and accurately characterized by one of the most outstanding Decembrists - P.I. Pestel. He wrote: “The incidents of 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, as well as those of previous and subsequent times, showed so many thrones overthrown, so many others established, so many kingdoms destroyed, so many new ones established, so many kings expelled, so many returning or summoned, and so many again expelled, so many revolutions committed, so many coups carried out that all these incidents familiarized minds with revolutions, with the possibilities and conveniences of carrying them out. Moreover, each age has its own distinctive feature. The current one is marked by revolutionary thoughts. From one end of Europe to the other, one can see the same thing everywhere, from Portugal to Russia, not excluding a single state, even England and Turkey... The spirit of transformation makes, so to speak, minds bubble everywhere... These are the reasons, I believe, that gave rise to revolutionary thoughts and rules and ingrained them in the minds.”
Conclusion. The main reason for the emergence of the Decembrist movement was the understanding of the best representatives of the nobility that the preservation of serfdom and autocracy was disastrous for the future fate of the country. The conditions in which the first Russian revolutionary movement matured were closely related to the social excitement that grew more and more as Western Europe, and in Russia after the Napoleonic wars. Staying in countries where there was no serfdom and where constitutional institutions existed and Russia with its backward forms of life - serfdom, autocratic Arakcheev's tyranny, made the future Decembrists think about the fate of their homeland. The highest goal of the Decembrists was to transform the Russians into an advanced nation with a highly developed national culture.

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1. Nechkina M.V. Decembrists.- M: 1982.-S. 20
2. THEIR FIRST DECEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
ACTIVITIES, GOALS AND PROGRAMS

The first secret society of the Decembrists was preceded by several earlier organizations. All of them served as a school for the future movement, its immediate prerequisite. After the end of the Patriotic War of 1812, secret organizations existed in the form of officer partnerships, circles of young people connected by family and friendly ties. In 1811-1812 there was a “Choka” circle of 7 people, created by N.N. Muravyov. In 1814 in St. Petersburg A.N. Muravyov formed the “Sacred Artel”. Also known is the Order of Russian Knights, founded by M.F. Orlov and M.D. Dmitriev-Mamonov. These organizations did not actually take active actions, but were of great importance, since the ideas and views of future leaders of the movement were formed in them.
The secret society of Decembrists was born in 1816. In Petersburg. Its first name was "Union of Salvation". Russia had to be saved, it stood on the edge of an abyss - this is what the members of the emerging society thought. This was the first actual Decembrist organization. Its founder was Colonel of the Guards General Staff A. Muravyov. The six founders of the union included Prince S. Trubetskoy, brothers Sergei and Matvey Muravyov-Apostles, N. Muravyov and I. Yakushkin. Later, lieutenant of the cavalry regiment P. Pestel, Prince E. Obolensky, I. Pushchin entered the society. In total, the union included 30 officers. When the society took shape and developed its charter, it received the name “Society of True and Faithful Sons of the Fatherland.” The name itself spoke of a desire to dissociate itself from “patriots” of a different kind - not true and not faithful.
At first, the goal of the secret society was only to free the peasants from serfdom. But very soon this goal was joined by a second one: the fight against autocracy and absolutism. At the first stage, it resulted in a demand for a constitutional monarchy.
“Union of Salvation” is the first Russian political organization that had a revolutionary program and charter - “Statute”. The charter of the first Decembrist society has not reached us: the Decembrists themselves burned it when they reformed their society in 1818. The ceremonial introduction explained the general goal of the secret society - to “strive” for the common good with all their might in the name of the good of the Motherland. To do this, it was necessary to fight for the elimination of serfdom and autocracy: instead of autocracy, it was necessary to introduce a representative form of government in the form of a constitutional monarchy. Members of the new secret society believed that it was necessary to “force” the tsarist government to agree to representative government. It is more convenient to do this at the time of the change of emperors on the throne. Members of the society pledged “not first to take the oath to the new emperor,” as they made sure that in Russia autocratic power would be limited by popular representation. The charter obliged, as far as possible, to increase the number of members of the society, to ensure that members of the secret society occupy important positions in the state - both military and civilian; at the same time, the charter obliged members of society to fight for the removal of foreigners from influence in the state. The texts of solemn oaths according to the Masonic model were attached to the “statute”.
Members of the Union demanded the liquidation of military settlements. However, none of them raised the question of eliminating the monarchy as a form of government in Russia. On the contrary, the members of the “Union of Salvation” were convinced monarchists who believed that the tsar would eventually be able to introduce a constitution in Russia. He just needs help with this.
The horrors of the people's revolution frightened the noble revolutionaries, therefore, it is necessary to act for the people, but without the people, not through the people, they thought. The main goals of the struggle were, in general, clear: to eliminate serfdom and autocracy, introduce a constitution, representative government. But the means and ways to achieve this were vague. It was decided to demand a constitution at the time of the change of emperors on the throne. However, how can you ensure that your requirements are met? This remained unclear.
Thoughts about regicide were also entertained (this idea arose in 1817 after it became known about the brutal suppression of the uprising of Novgorod military villagers by government troops). Disputes regarding the idea of ​​regicide and awareness of the extreme limitations of forces led in 1818 to the self-dissolution of the Union of Salvation.
The government's abandonment of reformist plans and a transition to reaction in foreign and domestic policy forced the Decembrists to change tactics. In 1818, in continuity with the “Union of Salvation”, a secret society called the “Union of Welfare” was formed, which was broader in composition. It was a strictly centralized organization with a clear structure, which assumed unconditional discipline and complete secrecy of all its members. Its composition still remained predominantly noble. The organizers and leaders were A.N. and N.M. Muravyov, S.I. and M.I. Muravyovs - Apostles, P.I. Pestel, I.D. Yakunin, M.S. Lunin and others. In order to capture public opinion, the Union of Welfare, according to the plans of the Decembrists, was supposed to create a whole network of secret and overt (legal) organizations and lead them. Local organizations of the Union of Welfare appeared in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Tambov, and Nizhny Novgorod. It was planned to create literary, scientific, pedagogical, economic societies, women's organizations and youth circles everywhere. It was planned to publish the magazine “Russian of the 19th Century”. According to the new charter, not only nobles, but also merchants, townspeople, clergy and free peasants were to be accepted into the secret society. It was assumed that public opinion would be prepared within twenty years and around 1840 a revolution would occur.
The program and charter of the union were called the “Green Book”. The conspiratorial tactics and secrecy of the leaders led to the development of two parts of the program. The first, associated with legal forms of activity, was intended for all members of society. The second part, which spoke of the need to overthrow the autocracy, abolish serfdom, introduce constitutional government and, most importantly, to implement these demands by violent means, was known especially to the initiated. The “Green Book” invited members to stand up for the serf peasant before the landowner, to urge the latter not to trade in people, to fight for justice in the courts and institutions so that there would be no harm to the people, to promote the development of trade, industry and agriculture.
Members of the “Western Union” openly protested against serfdom, were indignant at Arakcheev, military settlements, defended the advanced science of their time, put cruel landowners to shame, freed talented self-taught people from captivity, etc. In the hungry year of 1820, the Union of Welfare provided all possible assistance to the starving in the Smolensk province and fed thousands of people. This caused great concern to Alexander I. However, the members of the union still did not accept revolutionary methods of action and relied mainly on propaganda, a combination of a secret organization with legal actions, etc.
The “Western Union” grew rapidly in numbers and had up to 200 members by 1921, and, in addition, around it there were “side boards”, organizations to one degree or another ideologically related to the “Union”. These are the “Green Lamp”, a literary society, of which A.S. Pushkin was an active member, “ Free Society lovers of Russian literature”, “Society for the dissemination of Lancaster schools” and others that existed legally. Members of the Union of Welfare especially sought to attract young people to themselves, to tear them away from the old camp; they understood that it was necessary to counteract the “old beliefs of the ossified nobility” and be able to influence the “opinion of the youth.”
Despite the certain success of the Welfare Union, contradictions began to grow within it between supporters of moderate and radical views. Supporters of radical views, advocating decisive measures, cited the example of the revolutions of the early 1820s. in countries Southern Europe, proved the impossibility of continuing peaceful propaganda in the face of growing government reaction. In addition, it became known that the government is preparing to begin persecution of the movement. All this prompted supporters of decisive measures to announce in 1821 the dissolution of the “Union of Welfare” and to create on its basis two revolutionary organizations - Northern and Southern Society. By taking such a step, the leadership of the society intended to get rid of traitors and spies, which they, not without reason, believed could infiltrate the organization.
Conclusion. The “Union of Salvation” and the “Union of Welfare” were active organizations and did a lot over the years of their work. But nothing they did really brought them any closer to their goal. The main goal of the ball was the abolition of serfdom, the elimination of the autocratic serfdom, and the introduction of legally free representative government. Members of the unions did not accept revolutionary methods of action and relied mainly on propaganda. It is important to note that none of the members of the societies raised the question of eliminating the monarchy as a form of government in Russia; they were all convinced monarchists.

3. SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN SOCIETY: GOALS,
PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES

The new period of the Decembrist movement is associated with the creation of two secret societies: Southern and Northern. The secret organization that arose on the basis of the Tulchin government of the “Union of Welfare” began to be called in 1821 the Southern Society, headed by Colonel P. Pestel. In 1822, the Northern Society arose with its center in St. Petersburg, headed by N.I. Muravyov, E.N. Obolensky, S.P. Trubetskoy and other members of the “Union of Salvation” and “Union of Prosperity” who lived in St. Petersburg.
At first, the action programs of the “southerners” and “northerners” were different. Northern society, like the southern one, recognized itself as a single organization and maintained close contacts with each other. By the time the Northern and Southern Society was formed, the leading tactical slogan of the Decembrists had become the idea of ​​a “military revolution” - a coup by the army without the participation of the masses. A number of factors influenced the choice of such tactics. Many Decembrists were inspired by the example of the Spanish revolution of 1820, carried out relatively quickly and in an organized manner under the leadership of officers - members of secret societies, as well as the example of the Russian palace coups of the 1820s, in which guard regiments took an active part. The Decembrists feared the prospect of a repetition of the “Pugachevism,” which was inevitable when huge masses of the peasantry embittered by serfdom were drawn into the political struggle.
As already noted, at first the action programs of the “southerners” and “northerners” were different. Southern society, represented by the radical Pestel, as well as former officers of the Semenovsky regiment exiled to the South, took more revolutionary, decisive positions. The leaders of the Northern Society, on the contrary, professed constitutional, moderate views.
This was clearly reflected in the program documents of both societies.

3.1. The main program provisions of "Russian Truth"

Pestel's activities were of great importance in Southern society. P.I. Pestel is a bright, talented figure in all respects among the Decembrists. Widely educated, with great intelligence, he was distinguished by his unyielding will and stood out as an experienced organizer and strong theorist. Pestel, on behalf of the organization, outlined the revolutionary ideas of society in his “Russian Truth,” which became its program. He worked for years on the draft of his constitution. Pestel’s constitutional project was not only discussed many times at meetings and congresses of the leaders of the Southern Society, but also individual members of the society were involved in the work on the text of the project itself.
Pestel was a supporter of the dictatorship of the Provisional Supreme Government during the revolution, and considered dictatorship a decisive condition for success. According to Pestel, after the Temporary Revolutionary Coup, power should pass into the hands of a provisional revolutionary government and represent a merciless revolutionary dictatorship. Pestel thought about the future reorganization of Russia from the position of dictatorship, centralism, and repression of opponents. The dictatorship, according to his ideas, should have lasted 10-15 years. Among the measures aimed at achieving the future common good, justice, universal equality, he provided for regicide, the extermination of all royal family, including children. Thus, Pestel resolutely rejected the possibility of maintaining the monarchy in Russia.
The main program provisions of “Russian Truth” were: - the elimination of the monarchy in the country; - the establishment of a republic; - abolition of serfdom and the class system; - transformation of Russia into a single unitary state - without taking into account the national characteristics of its regions; -equality of all Russian citizens before the law; - solution to the “Jewish question”. In Russia, a republic was established in the following scheme of government bodies:
Supreme Council People's Assembly
(out of 120 members - boyars, elected for life - (unicameral) - the highest legislator -
nnenno) - a supervisory body in a relative body, elected for 5
research of the Veche and the Duma from the point of view of formalities.
no legality of their actionsState Duma - highest performance
body authority (of 5 members)
Thus, the unicameral parliament had legislative power, and the “Sovereign Duma” had executive power. Every year, one of the members of the “Sovereign Duma” became the president of the republic (holding this post for one year). Pestel proclaimed the principle of universal suffrage. The right to vote, according to Russkaya Pravda, was granted to all Russian citizens who had reached the age of 20. In accordance with Pestel's ideas, a parliamentary republic with a presidential form of government was to be established in Russia. It was one of the most progressive political government projects of that time.
Pestel was an enemy of any federal structure and a supporter of a single and indivisible republic with a strong central government. The republic was divided into provinces or regions, which in turn were divided into counties, and counties into volosts. Every year in each volost an assembly was to gather, which elected its deputies to various local authorities authorities. District local assemblies elected representatives to the highest legislative body - the People's Assembly.
Capital Russian Republic according to Russkaya Pravda, Nizhny Novgorod was supposed to become.
Pestel's project proclaimed the radical abolition of serfdom. He declared that “serfdom is a shameful thing, contrary to humanity,” slavery must be decisively abolished, and the nobility must certainly forever renounce the vile advantage of possessing other people.” Pestel valued human personal freedom extremely highly. “Personal freedom,” says Russkaya Pravda, “is the first and most important right of every citizen and the sacred duty of every government. The entire structure of the state building is based on it, and without it there is neither peace nor prosperity.”
Liberation of peasants without land, i.e. Giving them only personal freedom was considered unacceptable by Pestel. Pestel stood for the liberation of peasants with land. His agricultural project was developed in detail in Russkaya Pravda. According to Pestel’s project, all cultivated land in each volost should be divided into two parts: the first part is public property, the second part of the land is private property. Land from the public fund was not subject to sale or mortgage. Half of the country's land fund, according to Pestel's project, remained in private property. It could be bought, sold and mortgaged. Ownership of this land was supposed to ensure the profitability and marketability of the farm. Every citizen of the future republic must be assigned to one of the volosts and has the right at any time to receive free of charge the land plot due to him and to cultivate it.
To implement his agrarian project, Pestel considered it necessary to alienate the landowners' land with its partial confiscation. There was alienation of land for compensation, there was also gratuitous alienation, confiscation (if the noble estate had 10 thousand dessiatinas or more, then half of the land was taken from him without any compensation; if the noble estate had less than 10 thousand dessiatines, then half of the land he was also taken away, but retribution was given for her). Thus, landownership was still partially preserved. Ruthlessly sweeping away the foundations of feudal-serf society, striving to deeply transform the state into
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1. Nechkina M.V. Decembrists.- M: 1982.- p. 78

bourgeois, Pestel, however, did not dare to defend the slogan of transferring all the land to the peasants. This path of agrarian reform should
etc.................

The first secret society of the Decembrists was preceded by several earlier organizations. All of them served as a school for the future movement, its immediate prerequisite. After the end of the Patriotic War of 1812, secret organizations existed in the form of officer partnerships, circles of young people connected by family and friendly ties. In 1811-1812 there was a “Choka” circle of 7 people, created by N.N. Muravyov. In 1814 in St. Petersburg A.N. Muravyov formed the “Sacred Artel”. Also known is the Order of Russian Knights, founded by M.F. Orlov and M.D. Dmitriev-Mamonov. These organizations did not actually take active actions, but were of great importance, since the ideas and views of future leaders of the movement were formed in them.

The secret society of Decembrists was born in 1816. In Petersburg. Its first name was "Union of Salvation". Russia had to be saved, it stood on the edge of an abyss - this is what the members of the emerging society thought. This was the first actual Decembrist organization. Its founder was Colonel of the Guards General Staff A. Muravyov. The six founders of the union included Prince S. Trubetskoy, brothers Sergei and Matvey Muravyov-Apostles, N. Muravyov and I. Yakushkin. Later, lieutenant of the cavalry regiment P. Pestel, Prince E. Obolensky, I. Pushchin entered the society. In total, the union included 30 officers. When the society took shape and developed its charter, it received the name “Society of True and Faithful Sons of the Fatherland.” The name itself spoke of a desire to dissociate itself from “patriots” of a different kind - not true and not faithful.

At first, the goal of the secret society was only to free the peasants from serfdom. But very soon this goal was joined by a second one: the fight against autocracy and absolutism. At the first stage, it resulted in a demand for a constitutional monarchy.

"Union of Salvation" is the first Russian political organization that had a revolutionary program and charter - "Statute". The charter of the first Decembrist society has not reached us: the Decembrists themselves burned it when they reformed their society in 1818. The ceremonial introduction explained the general goal of the secret society - to “strive” for the common good with all their might in the name of the good of the Motherland. To do this, it was necessary to fight for the elimination of serfdom and autocracy: instead of autocracy, it was necessary to introduce a representative form of government in the form of a constitutional monarchy. Members of the new secret society believed that it was necessary to “force” the tsarist government to agree to representative government. It is more convenient to do this at the time of the change of emperors on the throne. Members of the society pledged “not first to take the oath to the new emperor,” as they made sure that in Russia autocratic power would be limited by popular representation. The charter obliged, as far as possible, to increase the number of members of the society, to ensure that members of the secret society occupy important positions in the state - both military and civilian; at the same time, the charter obliged members of society to fight for the removal of foreigners from influence in the state. The texts of solemn oaths according to the Masonic model were attached to the “statute”.

Members of the Union demanded the liquidation of military settlements. However, none of them raised the question of eliminating the monarchy as a form of government in Russia. On the contrary, the members of the “Union of Salvation” were convinced monarchists who believed that the tsar would eventually be able to introduce a constitution in Russia. He just needs help with this.

The horrors of the people's revolution frightened the noble revolutionaries, therefore, it is necessary to act for the people, but without the people, not through the people, they thought. The main goals of the struggle were, in general, clear: to eliminate serfdom and autocracy, to introduce a constitution and representative government. But the means and ways to achieve this were vague. It was decided to demand a constitution at the time of the change of emperors on the throne. However, how can you ensure that your requirements are met? This remained unclear.

Thoughts about regicide were also entertained (this idea arose in 1817 after it became known about the brutal suppression of the uprising of Novgorod military villagers by government troops). Disputes regarding the idea of ​​regicide and awareness of the extreme limitations of forces led in 1818 to the self-dissolution of the Union of Salvation.

The government's abandonment of reformist plans and a transition to reaction in foreign and domestic policy forced the Decembrists to change tactics. In 1818, in continuity with the “Union of Salvation”, a secret society called the “Union of Welfare” was formed, which was broader in composition. It was a strictly centralized organization with a clear structure, which assumed unconditional discipline and complete secrecy of all its members. Its composition still remained predominantly noble. The organizers and leaders were A.N. and N.M. Muravyov, S.I. and M.I. Muravyovs - Apostles, P.I. Pestel, I.D. Yakunin, M.S. Lunin and others. In order to capture public opinion, the Union of Welfare, according to the plans of the Decembrists, was supposed to create a whole network of secret and overt (legal) organizations and lead them. Local organizations of the Union of Welfare appeared in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Tambov, and Nizhny Novgorod. It was planned to create literary, scientific, pedagogical, economic societies, women's organizations and youth circles everywhere. It was planned to publish the magazine “Russian of the 19th Century”. According to the new charter, not only nobles, but also merchants, townspeople, clergy and free peasants were to be accepted into the secret society. It was assumed that public opinion would be prepared within twenty years and around 1840 a revolution would occur.

The program and charter of the union were called the “Green Book”. The conspiratorial tactics and secrecy of the leaders led to the development of two parts of the program. The first, associated with legal forms of activity, was intended for all members of society. The second part, which spoke of the need to overthrow the autocracy, abolish serfdom, introduce constitutional government and, most importantly, to implement these demands by violent means, was known especially to the initiated. The “Green Book” invited members to stand up for the serf peasant before the landowner, to urge the latter not to trade in people, to fight for justice in the courts and institutions so that there would be no harm to the people, to promote the development of trade, industry and agriculture.

Members of the “Western Union” openly protested against serfdom, were indignant at Arakcheev, military settlements, defended the advanced science of their time, put cruel landowners to shame, freed talented self-taught people from captivity, etc. In the hungry year of 1820, the Union of Welfare provided all possible assistance to the starving in the Smolensk province and fed thousands of people. This caused great concern to Alexander I. However, the members of the union still did not accept revolutionary methods of action and relied mainly on propaganda, a combination of secret organization with legal actions, etc.

The “Western Union” grew rapidly in numbers and had up to 200 members by 1921, and, in addition, around it there were “side councils”, organizations to one degree or another ideologically related to the “Union”. These are the “Green Lamp”, a literary society of which A.S. Pushkin was an active member, the “Free Society of Lovers of Russian Literature”, the “Society for the Propagation of Lancaster Schools” and others that existed legally. Members of the Union of Welfare especially sought to attract young people to themselves, to tear them away from the old camp; they understood that it was necessary to counteract the “old beliefs of the ossified nobility” and be able to influence the “opinion of the youth.”

Despite the certain success of the Welfare Union, contradictions began to grow within it between supporters of moderate and radical views. Supporters of radical views, advocating decisive measures, cited the example of the revolutions of the early 1820s. in the countries of Southern Europe, they proved the impossibility of continuing peaceful propaganda in the face of increasing government reaction. In addition, it became known that the government is preparing to begin persecution of the movement. All this prompted supporters of decisive measures to announce in 1821 the dissolution of the “Union of Welfare” and to create on its basis two revolutionary organizations - the Northern and Southern Societies. By taking such a step, the leadership of the society intended to get rid of traitors and spies, which they, not without reason, believed could infiltrate the organization.

Conclusion. The “Union of Salvation” and the “Union of Welfare” were active organizations and did a lot over the years of their work. But nothing they did really brought them any closer to their goal. The main goal of the ball was the abolition of serfdom, the elimination of the autocratic serfdom, and the introduction of legally free representative government. Members of the unions did not accept revolutionary methods of action and relied mainly on propaganda. It is important to note that none of the members of the societies raised the question of eliminating the monarchy as a form of government in Russia; they were all convinced monarchists.