Decembrists. little known facts

The whole point is that historically the Decembrists in Russia were the first who dared to oppose the power of the Tsar. It is interesting that the rebels themselves began to study this phenomenon; they analyzed the reasons for the uprising on Senate Square and its defeat. Due to the execution of the Decembrists Russian society lost the very flower of enlightened youth, because they came from families of the nobility, glorious participants in the War of 1812.

Who are the Decembrists

Who are the Decembrists? They can be briefly characterized as follows: they are members of several political societies fighting for the abolition of serfdom and the change state power. In December 1825 they organized an uprising, which was brutally suppressed. 5 people (leaders) were executed, shameful for officers. Decembrist participants were exiled to Siberia, some were shot in the Peter and Paul Fortress.

Causes of the uprising

Why did the Decembrists revolt? There are several reasons for this. The main one, which they all, as one, reproduced during interrogations in the Peter and Paul Fortress - the spirit of freethinking, faith in the strength of the Russian people, tired of oppression - all this was born after the brilliant victory over Napoleon. It is no coincidence that 115 people from among the Decembrists were participants Patriotic War 1812. Indeed, during military campaigns, liberating European countries, they never encountered the savagery of serfdom. This forced them to reconsider their attitude towards their country as “slaves and masters.”

It was obvious that serfdom has outlived its usefulness. Fighting side by side with the common people, communicating with them, the future Decembrists came to the idea that people deserve a better fate than a slave existence. The peasants also hoped that after the war their situation would change in better side, because they shed blood for the sake of their homeland. But, unfortunately, the emperor and most of the nobles firmly clung to the serfs. That is why, from 1814 to 1820, more than two hundred peasant uprisings broke out in the country.

The apotheosis was the revolt against Colonel Schwartz of the Semenovsky Guards Regiment in 1820. His cruelty towards ordinary soldiers crossed all boundaries. Activists of the Decembrist movement, Sergei Muravyov-Apostol and Mikhail Bestuzhev-Ryumin, witnessed these events, as they served in this regiment. It should also be noted that a certain spirit of freethinking was instilled in most of the participants at the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum: for example, its graduates were I. Pushchin, V. Kuchelbecker, and the freedom-loving poems of A. Pushkin were used as inspired ideas.

Southern Society of Decembrists

It should be understood that the Decembrist movement did not arise out of nowhere: it grew out of world revolutionary ideas. Pavel Pestel wrote that such thoughts go “from one end of Europe to Russia”, even covering such opposite mentalities as Turkey and England.

The ideas of Decembrism were realized through the work of secret societies. The first of them are the Union of Salvation (St. Petersburg, 1816) and the Union of Welfare (1818). The second arose on the basis of the first, was less secretive and included larger number members. It was also dissolved in 1820 due to differences of opinion.

In 1821 there is new organization, consisting of two Societies: Northern (in St. Petersburg, headed by Nikita Muravyov) and Southern (in Kyiv, headed by Pavel Pestel). Southern society had more reactionary views: in order to establish a republic, they proposed killing the tsar. The structure of the Southern Society consisted of three departments: the first, along with P. Pestel, was headed by A. Yushnevsky, the second by S. Muravyov-Apostol, the third by V. Davydov and S. Volkonsky.

Leaders of the Decembrists: 1.Pavel Ivanovich Pestel

The leader of the Southern Society, Pavel Ivanovich Pestel, was born in 1793 in Moscow. He receives an excellent education in Europe, and upon returning to Russia begins service in the Corps of Pages - especially privileged among the nobles. The pages are personally acquainted with all members of the imperial family. Here the freedom-loving views of young Pestel first appear. Having brilliantly graduated from the Corps, he continues to serve in the Lithuanian Regiment with the rank of ensign of the Life Guards.

Pavel Pestel

During the War of 1812, Pestel was seriously wounded. Having recovered, he returns to service and fights bravely. By the end of the war, Pestel received many high awards, including a golden award weapon. After World War II, he was transferred to serve in the Cavalry Regiment - at that time the most prestigious place of service.

While in St. Petersburg, Pestel learns about a certain secret society (the Union of Salvation) and soon joins it. Paul's revolutionary life begins. In 1821, he headed the Southern Society - in this he was helped by his magnificent eloquence, wonderful mind and gift of persuasion. Thanks to these qualities, in his time he achieved unity of views of Southern and Northern societies.

Pestel's Constitution

In 1823, the program of the Southern Society, compiled by Pavel Pestel, was adopted. It was unanimously accepted by all members of the association - future Decembrists. Briefly it contained the following points:

Russia must become a republic, united and indivisible, consisting of 10 districts. Public administration will be carried out by the People's Assembly (legislatively) and the State Duma (executively).
In resolving the issue of serfdom, Pestel proposed to immediately abolish it, dividing the land into two parts: for peasants and for landowners. It was assumed that the latter would rent it out for farming. Researchers believe that if the 1861 reform to abolish serfdom had gone according to Pestel’s plan, the country would very soon have taken a bourgeois, economically progressive path of development.
Abolition of the institution of estates. All the people of the country are called citizens, they are equally equal before the law. Personal freedoms and inviolability of person and home were declared.
Tsarism was categorically not accepted by Pestel, so he demanded the physical destruction of the entire royal family.

It was assumed that "Russian Truth" would come into force as soon as the uprising ended. It will be the fundamental law of the country.

Northern Society of Decembrists

Northern society begins to exist in 1821, in the spring. Initially, it consisted of two groups that later merged. It should be noted that the first group was more radical in orientation; its participants shared Pestel’s views and fully accepted his “Russian Truth”.

Activists of the Northern Society were Nikita Muravyov (leader), Kondraty Ryleev (deputy), princes Obolensky and Trubetskoy. Ivan Pushchin played not the least role in the Society.

The Northern Society operated mainly in St. Petersburg, but it also had a branch in Moscow.

The path to uniting Northern and Southern societies was long and very painful. They had fundamental differences on some issues. However, at the congress in 1824 it was decided to begin the process of unification in 1826. The uprising in December 1825 destroyed these plans.

2. Nikita Mikhailovich Muravyov

Nikita Mikhailovich Muravyov comes from a noble family. Born in 1795 in St. Petersburg. Received an excellent education in Moscow. The War of 1812 found him in the rank of collegiate registrar at the Ministry of Justice. He runs away from home for the war and makes a brilliant career during the battles.

Nikita Muravyov

After the Patriotic War, he begins to work as part of secret societies: the Union of Salvation and the Union of Welfare. In addition, he writes the charter for the latter. He believes that a republican form of government should be established in the country; only a military coup can help this. During a trip to the south he meets P. Pestel. Nevertheless, he organizes his own structure - the Northern Society, but does not break ties with like-minded people, but, on the contrary, actively cooperates.

He wrote the first edition of his version of the Constitution in 1821, but it did not find a response from other members of the Societies. A little later he will reconsider his views and release new program, offered by the Nordic Society.

Muravyov's Constitution

The Constitution of N. Muravyov included the following positions:

Russia must become constitutional monarchy: legislative power - the Supreme Duma, consisting of two chambers; executive - the emperor (also the supreme commander in chief). It was separately stipulated that he did not have the right to start and end the war on his own. After a maximum of three readings, the emperor had to sign the law. He had no right to veto; he could only delay the signing in time.
When serfdom is abolished, the landowners' lands will be left to the owners, and the peasants - their plots, plus 2 tithes will be added to each house.
Suffrage– only to land owners. Women, nomads and non-owners stayed away from him.
Abolish the institution of estates, level everyone with one name: citizen. The judicial system is the same for everyone. Muravyov was aware that his version of the constitution would meet fierce resistance, so he provided for its introduction with the use of weapons.

Preparing for the uprising

The secret societies described above lasted 10 years, after which the uprising began. It should be said that the decision to revolt arose quite spontaneously.

While in Taganrog, Alexander I dies. Due to the lack of heirs, the next emperor was to be Constantine, Alexander's brother. The problem was that he secretly abdicated the throne at one time. Accordingly, the board passed to the younger brother, Nikolai. The people were in confusion, not knowing about the renunciation. However, Nicholas decides to take the oath on December 14, 1825.

Nicholas I

Alexander's death became the starting point for the rebels. They understand that it is time to act, despite the fundamental differences between Southern and Northern societies. They were well aware that they had catastrophically little time to prepare well for the uprising, but they believed that it would be criminal to miss such a moment. This is exactly what Ivan Pushchin wrote to his lyceum friend Alexander Pushkin.

Gathering on the night before December 14, the rebels prepare a plan of action. It boiled down to the following points:

Appoint Prince Trubetskoy as commander.
Borrow Winter Palace and the Peter and Paul Fortress. A. Yakubovich and A. Bulatov were appointed responsible for this.
Lieutenant P. Kakhovsky was supposed to kill Nikolai. This action was supposed to be a signal to action for the rebels.
Conduct propaganda work among the soldiers and win them over to the side of the rebels.
It was up to Kondraty Ryleev and Ivan Pushchin to convince the Senate to swear allegiance to the emperor.

Unfortunately, the future Decembrists did not think through everything. History says that traitors from among them made a denunciation of the impending rebellion to Nicholas, which finally convinced him to appoint the oath to the Senate in the early morning of December 14.

The uprising: how it happened

The uprising did not go according to the scenario that the rebels had planned. The Senate manages to swear allegiance to the emperor even before the campaign.

However, regiments of soldiers in order of battle lined up on Senate Square, everyone is waiting for decisive action from the leadership. Ivan Pushchin and Kondraty Ryleev arrive there and assure the imminent arrival of the command, Prince Trubetskoy. The latter, having betrayed the rebels, sat out in the royal General Staff. He was unable to take the decisive action that was required of him. As a result, the uprising was suppressed.

Arrests and trial

The first arrests and executions of the Decembrists began to take place in St. Petersburg. An interesting fact is that the trial of those arrested was not carried out by the Senate, as it should have been, but by the Supreme Court, specially organized by Nicholas I for this case. The very first, even before the uprising, on December 13, was Pavel Pestel.

The fact is that shortly before the uprising he accepted A. Maiboroda as a member of the Southern Society, who turned out to be a traitor. Pestel is arrested in Tulchin and taken to the Peter and Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg.

Mayboroda also wrote a denunciation against N. Muravyov, who was arrested on his own estate.

There were 579 people under investigation. 120 of them were exiled to hard labor in Siberia (among them Nikita Muravyov), all were dishonorably demoted to military ranks. Five rebels were sentenced to death.

Execution

Addressing the court about possible way execution of the Decembrists, Nikolai notes that blood should not be shed. Thus, they, the heroes of the Patriotic War, are sentenced to the shameful gallows...

Who were the executed Decembrists? Their surnames are as follows: Pavel Pestel, Pyotr Kakhovsky, Kondraty Ryleev, Sergei Muravyov-Apostol, Mikhail Bestuzhev-Ryumin. The sentence was read on July 12, and they were hanged on July 25, 1826. The place of execution of the Decembrists took a long time to be equipped: a gallows was built with special mechanism. However, there were some complications: three convicts fell from their loops and had to be hanged again.

In the place in the Peter and Paul Fortress where the Decembrists were executed there is now a monument, which is an obelisk and a granite composition. It symbolizes the courage with which the executed Decembrists fought for their ideals.

Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Petersburg

Found a mistake? Select it and press left Ctrl+Enter.

Decembrists are the name given to the participants in the uprising, which took place on December 14, 1825 in St. Petersburg on Senate Square.

Basically, the Decembrists were advanced, educated nobles, many of them were military men. These people wanted to abolish serfdom in Russia, introduce a constitution, limit or completely abolish royal power. The future Decembrists began to create their organization after the Patriotic War of 1812. In 1816 they formed the first secret society - the “Union of Salvation”, and in 1818 - the “Union of Welfare”, which included about 200 members. In January 1821, the “Western Union” was divided into two parts: “Northern Society” (in St. Petersburg) and “Southern Society” (in Ukraine). The composition of these organizations was dominated by officers. Both “Societies” began preparing a revolutionary uprising. All that remained was to wait for the right opportunity to speak.

And such an opportunity presented itself when, on November 19, 1825, a patient being treated in Taganrog unexpectedly died. Russian Emperor Alexander I. He had no children, but had brothers: Konstantin and Nikolai. According to the law on succession to the throne, the eldest of the brothers, Constantine, who at that time was the royal governor in Poland, was supposed to become king. However, he abdicated the throne long before the death of Alexander I.

For some reason the renunciation was made in secret, and almost no one knew about it. Therefore, the capital, and behind it all of Russia, swore allegiance to “Emperor Konstantin Pavlovich.” He refused to come to St. Petersburg and already officially, in a letter, confirmed his reluctance to be king. On December 14, 1825, the next brother, Nicholas, was sworn in. A situation of interregnum arose of its own accord, and the Decembrists decided to take advantage of it.

On December 14, the Decembrists marched Senate Square in St. Petersburg and refused to swear allegiance to Tsar Nicholas. It would not have been difficult for them to seize the Winter Palace and arrest the entire royal family, but the Decembrists showed indecision. While they stood in the square, the new emperor wasted no time. He managed to quickly gather troops loyal to the government, which surrounded the rebels. The power was with the tsar, and the Decembrists surrendered. On December 29, a belated performance of parts of the “Southern Society” began, but it was quickly suppressed. Mass arrests of participants in the uprising began.

The trial took place. Most of the Decembrists were deprived noble titles and rights, sentenced to indefinite hard labor and exiled to Siberia. Ordinary soldiers were driven through the line. Five leaders of the uprising: P. Pestel, S. Muravyov-Apostol, K. Ryleev, M. Bestuzhev-Ryumin and Kakhovsky - were hanged on July 13, 1826 on the crown of the Peter and Paul Fortress.

Some of the wives of the exiled participants in the uprising showed selflessness and voluntarily followed their husbands to Siberia. Only a few Decembrists survived until 1856, when Emperor Alexander II, who ascended the throne, declared an amnesty.

The movement of revolutionaries, who were later called the Decembrists, had its own ideology. It was formed under the influence liberation campaigns Russian army to European countries. While fighting the Napoleonic army, the best representatives of the Russian officer corps became acquainted with political life other countries, which differed sharply from the regime that reigned in Russia.

Many representatives of the nobility and advanced intelligentsia who joined the opposition movement were also familiar with the writings of French enlighteners. The ideas of the great thinkers were in tune with the thoughts of those who expressed dissatisfaction with the policies of the government of Alexander I. Many progressive-minded oppositionists hatched plans to adopt a constitution.

The spearhead of the ideology of the opposition movement was directed against tsarism and serfdom, which became a brake on the progressive development of Russia. Gradually, a network of conspirators formed in the country, waiting for the right moment to start speaking. Such conditions arose in December 1825.

Decembrist uprising

After the death of Alexander I, there were no direct heirs to the throne. The emperor's two brothers, Nicholas and Constantine, could claim the crown. The latter had a better chance of ascending the throne, but Constantine did not intend to become an autocrat, because he was afraid of intrigues and palace coups. For a month of days, the brothers could not decide which of them would lead the country. As a result, Nikolai decided to take on the burden of power. The oath ceremony was to take place on the afternoon of December 14, 1825.

It was this day that the conspirators considered the most suitable for an armed uprising. The headquarters of the movement decided in the morning to advance troops sympathetic to the opposition to Senate Square in St. Petersburg. The main forces of the rebels were supposed to prevent this from happening; other units at that time were going to seize the Winter Palace and arrest the imperial family. It was assumed that the fate of the king would be decided by the so-called Great Council.

But the participants in the uprising were disappointed: Nicholas was sworn in before the scheduled time. The confused Decembrists did not know what to do. As a result, they lined up their subordinate units on Senate Square around the monument to Peter I and repelled several attacks by troops supporting the Tsar. And yet, by the evening of December 14, the uprising was suppressed.

Nicholas I took all measures to roughly punish the Decembrists. Several thousand rebels were arrested. The organizers of the uprising were brought to trial. Someone begged the Tsar for forgiveness, but some Decembrists showed courage to the end. The court sentenced the five instigators of the rebellion to hanging. Ryleev, Pestel, Bestuzhev-Ryumin, Muravyov-Apostol and Kakhovsky were executed in the summer of 1826 in the Peter and Paul Fortress. Many participants in the December performance were at for many years exiled to distant Siberia.

The Decembrist uprising is an unprecedented phenomenon not only in Russian history, but also in world history. When the oppressed rise up in rebellion, it is easier, if not to justify them, then at least to understand them. But here the coup d’état is being prepared not by the “humiliated and insulted,” but by high-ranking military men and hereditary nobles, among whom there are many eminent personalities.

The phenomenon of Decembrism

For this reason, the phenomenon of Decembrism is still not only unsolved, but also as far from an unambiguous assessment as it was in the 19th century.

The main thing that causes misunderstanding in the actions of the Decembrists so far is that they (not one of them) laid claim to power. This was the condition of their activity. Both then and now, the attitude towards the actions of the Decembrists is not uniform, including the attitude towards their execution: “They began to hang the bar and send them to hard labor, it’s a pity that they didn’t outweigh everyone ...” (a statement among cantonists, soldiers’ children) and “ In all honesty, I find that executions and punishments are disproportionate to the crimes” (words of Prince P. Vyazemsky).

The verdict of Nicholas I horrified society not only by the cruelty of the punishment of the participants in the uprising, but also by the hypocrisy of the emperor: he informed the Supreme Criminal Court, which decided the fate of the Decembrists, that it “rejects any execution associated with the shedding of blood.” Thus, he deprived the Decembrists sentenced to death of the right to execution. But two of them took part in the Patriotic War of 1812, had wounds and military awards - and now they were sentenced to a shameful death on the gallows. For example, P.I. Pestel, at the age of 19, was seriously wounded in the Battle of Borodino and was awarded a golden sword for bravery, and also distinguished himself in the subsequent foreign campaign of the Russian army. S.I. Muravyov-Apostol was also awarded a golden sword for his bravery in the Battle of Krasnoye.

Five Decembrists were sentenced to death by hanging:

P. Pestel

All Decembrist prisoners were taken into the courtyard of the fortress and lined up in two squares: those belonging to guards regiments and others. All sentences were accompanied by demotion, deprivation of ranks and nobility: the convicts' swords were broken, their epaulettes and uniforms were torn off and thrown into the fire of blazing fires. The Decembrist sailors were taken to Kronstadt and that morning the sentence of demotion was carried out on them on the flagship of Admiral Krone. Their uniforms and epaulettes were torn off and thrown into the water. “We can say that they tried to exterminate the first manifestation of liberalism with all four elements - fire, water, air and earth,” wrote the Decembrist V.I. in his memoirs. Steingel. More than 120 Decembrists were exiled for various periods to Siberia, to hard labor or settlement.

The execution took place on the night of July 25, 1826, on the crown of the Peter and Paul Fortress. During the execution, Ryleev, Kakhovsky and Muravyov-Apostol fell from their hinges and were hanged a second time. “You know, God doesn’t want them to die,” said one of the soldiers. And Sergei Muravyov-Apostol, standing up, said: “ Cursed land, where they don’t know how to plot, judge, or hang.”

Because of this unforeseen incident, the execution was delayed, it was dawn on the street, passers-by began to appear, so the funeral was postponed. The next night, their bodies were secretly taken away and buried on Goloday Island in St. Petersburg (presumably).

Pavel Ivanovich Pestel, colonel (1793-1826)

Born in Moscow into a family of Russified Germans who settled in Russia at the end of the 17th century. The first child in the family.

Education: primary home, then studied in Dresden in 1805-1809. Upon returning to Russia in 1810, he entered the Corps of Pages, from which he graduated brilliantly with his name inscribed on a marble plaque. He was sent as an ensign to the Lithuanian Life Guards Regiment. He took part in the Patriotic War of 1812 and was seriously wounded in the Battle of Borodino. Awarded a golden sword for bravery.

Returning to the army after being wounded, he was Count Wittgenstein's adjutant and took part in the 1813-1814 campaigns abroad: the battles of Pirna, Dresden, Kulm, Leipzig, and distinguished himself while crossing the Rhine, in the battles of Bar-sur-Aube and Troyes. Then, together with Count Wittgenstein, he was in Tulchin and from here he was sent to Bessarabia to collect information about the actions of the Greeks against the Turks, as well as for negotiations with the ruler of Moldavia in 1821.

In 1822 he was transferred as a colonel to Vyatka infantry regiment, which was in a disordered state, and within a year Pestel brought it into complete order, for which Alexander I granted him 3,000 acres of land.

The idea of improving society arose in him back in 1816, from the time of his participation in Masonic lodges. Then there was the Salvation Union, for which he drew up a charter, the Welfare Union and, after its self-liquidation, the Southern Secret Society, which he headed.

Their Political Views Pestel expressed it in the “Russian Truth” program he compiled, which was the main point of accusation by his Investigative Commission after the defeat of the uprising.

He was arrested on the road to Tulchin after the uprising on December 14, 1825, was imprisoned in the Peter and Paul Fortress and after 6 months sentenced to quartering, replaced by hanging.

From the verdict Supreme Court about the main types of crime: “Had intent to commit Regicide; he sought means for this, elected and appointed persons to carry it out; plotted the extermination of the IMPERIAL FAMILY and with composure counted all its members doomed to sacrifice, and incited others to do so; established and ruled with unlimited power the Southern secret society, which had the goal of rebellion and the introduction of republican rule; drew up plans, charters, constitution; excited and prepared for rebellion; participated in the plan to secede the Regions from the Empire and took active measures to spread the society by attracting others.”

According to one of the officers, before his execution Pestel said: “What you sow must come back and will certainly come back later.”

Pyotr Grigorievich Kakhovsky, lieutenant (1797-1826)

On December 14, 1825, he mortally wounded the Governor-General of St. Petersburg, hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, Count M.A. Miloradovich, commander of the Life Guards Grenadier Regiment, Colonel N.K. Sturler, as well as retinue officer P.A. Gastfer.

Born into a family of impoverished nobles in the village of Preobrazhenskoye, Smolensk province, he studied at a boarding school at Moscow University. In 1816, he entered the Life Guards Jaeger Regiment as a cadet, but was demoted to soldier for too violent behavior and dishonest attitude towards service. In 1817 he was sent to the Caucasus, where he rose to the rank of cadet and then to lieutenant, but was forced to resign due to illness. In 1823-24 he traveled to Austria, Germany, Italy, France and Switzerland, where he studied the political system and political history European states.

In 1825 he joined the Northern Secret Society. On December 14, 1825, the Guards Fleet crew raised itself and was one of the first to arrive at Senate Square, where it showed firmness and determination. Arrested on the night of December 15, imprisoned in the Peter and Paul Fortress.

Having an ardent character, Kakhovsky was ready for the most daring actions. So, he was going to Greece to fight for its independence, and in the secret society he was a supporter of destruction autocratic power, murder of the king and all royal dynasty, the establishment of republican government. At a meeting on December 13, 1825, at Ryleev’s, he was assigned the murder of Nicholas I (since Kakhovsky did not have his own family), but on the day of the uprising he did not dare to commit this murder.

During the investigation, he behaved very impudently, sharply criticized the emperors Alexander I and Nicholas I. In the Peter and Paul Fortress, he wrote several letters to Nicholas I and the investigators, which contained critical analysis Russian reality. But at the same time he petitioned for relief of the fate of other arrested Decembrists.

From the verdict of the Supreme Court on the main types of crime: “He intended to commit Regicide and exterminate the entire IMPERIAL FAMILY, and, being destined to encroach on the life of the now reigning GOVERNMENT EMPEROR, did not renounce this election and even expressed his consent, although he assures that he subsequently wavered; participated in spreading the riot by recruiting many members; personally acted in rebellion; excited the lower ranks and himself dealt a mortal blow to Count Miloradovich and Colonel Sturler and wounded the Suite Officer.”

Kondraty Fedorovich Ryleev, second lieutenant (1795-1826)

Born in the village of Batovo (now Gatchina district Leningrad region) in the family of a small nobleman who manages the estate of Princess Golitsyna. From 1801 to 1814 he was brought up within the walls of the St. Petersburg First cadet corps. Was a participant foreign trips Russian army in 1814-1815.

After his resignation in 1818, he served as assessor of the St. Petersburg Criminal Chamber, and from 1824 - the ruler of the office of the Russian-American Company.

Entered " Free Society lovers of Russian literature,” was the author of the famous satirical ode “To the Temporary Worker.” Together with A. Bestuzhev, he published the almanac “Polar Star”. His thought “The Death of Ermak” became a song.

In 1823 he joined the Northern Secret Society and headed its radical wing; he was a supporter of the republican system, although initially he took the position of monarchism. He was one of the leaders of the Decembrist uprising. But during the investigation, he completely repented of what he had done, took all the “guilt” upon himself, tried to justify his comrades, and hoped for the mercy of the emperor.

From the verdict of the Supreme Court on the main types of crime: “Intended to commit Regicide; appointed a person to perform this task; planned for the imprisonment, expulsion and extermination of the IMPERIAL FAMILY and prepared the means for this; strengthened the activities of the Northern Society; he controlled it, prepared methods for rebellion, made plans, forced him to compose a Manifesto on the destruction of the Government; he himself composed and distributed outrageous songs and poems and accepted members; prepared the main means for the rebellion and was in charge of them; incited the lower ranks to revolt through their Chiefs through various seductions, and during the rebellion he himself came to the square.”

Their last words on the scaffold he turned to the priest: “Father, pray for our sinful souls, do not forget my wife and bless your daughter.”

During the investigation, Nicholas I sent Ryleev’s wife 2 thousand rubles, and then the Empress sent another thousand for her daughter’s name day. He took care of Ryleev’s family even after the execution: his wife received a pension until her second marriage, and his daughter until she came of age.

I know: destruction awaits

The one who rises first

On the oppressors of the people;

Fate has already doomed me.

But where, tell me, when was it

Freedom redeemed without sacrifice?

(K. Ryleev, from the poem “Nalivaiko”)

Sergei Ivanovich Muravyov-Apostol, lieutenant colonel (1796-1826)

Born in St. Petersburg and was the fourth child in the family of a famous writer of that time and statesman THEM. Muravyov-Apostol. He received his education at a private boarding school in Paris with his brother, M.I. Muravyov-Apostol, where their father served as Russian envoy. In 1809 he returned to Russia and was shocked by the situation in Russia that he saw anew after a long absence, especially the existence of serfdom. Upon his return, he entered the corps of railway engineers in St. Petersburg.

During the Patriotic War of 1812 he took part in many battles. For the battle of Krasnoye he was awarded a golden sword for bravery. Together with the Russian army he entered Paris and completed his foreign campaign there.

In 1820, the Semenovsky regiment, in which Muravyov-Apostol served, rebelled, and he was transferred to the Poltava, then to the Chernigov regiment as a lieutenant colonel. He was among the founders of the Union of Salvation and the Union of Welfare, as well as one of the most active members of Southern society. He established contact with the Society of United Slavs.

Muravyov-Apostol agreed with the need for regicide and was a supporter of republican rule.

He conducted propaganda among soldiers, being one of the leaders of the Decembrists. After the defeat of the uprising in St. Petersburg, the Chernigov regiment was raised, and “being surrounded by a detachment of hussars and artillerymen, he defended himself against the artillery itself, and, thrown to the ground by grapeshot, with the help of others he mounted his horse again and ordered him to go forward.”

He was taken prisoner, seriously wounded. Sentenced to death and hanged on the crown of the Peter and Paul Fortress.

From the verdict of the Supreme Court on the main types of crime: “Had intent to commit Regicide; found funds, elected and appointed others; agreeing to the expulsion of the IMPERIAL FAMILY, he demanded in particular the murder of the TSESAREVICH and incited others to do so; had the intent to deprive the EMPEROR of his freedom; participated in the management of the Southern Secret Society throughout the entire scope of its outrageous plans; composed proclamations and excited others to achieve the goal of this society, to revolt; participated in the plot to secede the Regions from the Empire; took active measures to spread the society by attracting others; personally acted in rebellion with the readiness to shed blood; excited the soldiers; freed convicts; He even bribed a priest to read before the ranks of the rioters the false catechism he had compiled and was taken with arms in his hands.”

Mikhail Pavlovich Bestuzhev-Ryumin, second lieutenant (1801(1804)-1826)

Born in the village of Kudreshki, Gorbatovsky district, Nizhny Novgorod province. Father is a court councilor, mayor of the city of Gorbatov, from the nobility.

In 1816, the Bestuzhev-Ryumin family moved to Moscow. The future Decembrist received a good home education, entered service as a cadet in the Cavalry Guard Regiment, and in 1819 he was transferred to the Semenovsky Life Guards Regiment, where he was promoted to lieutenant ensign. After the uprising in the Semenovsky regiment, he was transferred to the Poltava Infantry Regiment, then he made a military career: ensign, battalion adjutant, front adjutant, second lieutenant.

Bestuzhev-Ryumin was one of the leaders of the Southern Society, which he was admitted to in 1823. Together with S.I. Muravyov-Apostol headed the Vasilkovsky council, was a participant in the congresses of the leaders of the Southern Society in Kamenka and Kyiv, and negotiated with the secret Polish society about joining the Southern Society of the Society of United Slavs. He led (together with S.I. Muravyov-Apostol) the uprising of the Chernigov regiment.

Arrested at the site of the uprising with arms in hand, taken to St. Petersburg in chains from Bila Tserkva to the General Headquarters, and on the same day transferred to the Peter and Paul Fortress. Sentenced to hang.

From the verdict of the Supreme Court on the main types of crime: “Had intent to commit Regicide; sought means for this; he himself volunteered to kill the LORD EMPEROR of blessed memory and the now reigning GOVERNMENT EMPEROR; elected and appointed persons to perform it; had the intention of exterminating the IMPERIAL FAMILY, expressed it in the most cruel terms scattering of ashes; had the intention of expelling the IMPERIAL FAMILY and depriving the freedom of the blessed memory of the GOVERNMENT EMPEROR and he himself volunteered to commit this last atrocity; participated in the management of the Southern Society; annexed Slavyanskoe to it; drafted proclamations and made outrageous speeches; participated in the composition of a false catechism; aroused and prepared for rebellion, demanding even oath promises by kissing the image; made an intention to secede the Regions from the Empire and acted in its execution; took active measures to spread the society by attracting others; personally acted in rebellion with the readiness to shed blood; incited the Officers and soldiers to revolt and was taken with arms in hand.”

Executed on the crown of the Peter and Paul Fortress. He was buried along with other executed Decembrists on the island. Going hungry.

A monument was erected at the site of the death of the Decembrists. Under the bas-relief on the monument there is an inscription: “At this place on July 13/25, 1826, the Decembrists P. Pestel, K. Ryleev, P. Kakhovsky, S. Muravyov-Apostol, M. Bestuzhev-Ryumin were executed.” On the other side of the obelisk are carved verses by A. S. Pushkin:

Comrade, believe: she will rise,
Star of captivating happiness,
Russia will wake up from its sleep,
And on the ruins of autocracy, .

The Decembrists were representatives of the nobility who demanded reforms. Possessing high status, good level life and European education, they dreamed of changing life in Russia for the better. They proposed reforms that would bring the country closer to the most developed powers at that time.

The code of noble honor determined the behavior of the Decembrists. Many of them were officers - professional military men who went through a difficult path of trials and wars. They put the interests of the Fatherland at the forefront, but they wanted to see the structure of Russia differently. Not all of them considered the overthrow of the king the right measure.

How many Decembrists were there in Russia? 10, 20, 200?

It's very difficult to calculate. Single organization there was no fixed membership. There was no reform plan. They didn’t even develop an action algorithm. It all came down to simple conversations at the dinner table. Many nobles did not participate in the armed uprising for personal reasons. Others got excited about the idea, but cooled down after the first meetings and discussions.

The most famous Decembrists were P.I. Pestel, S.I. Muravyov-Apostol, K.F. Ryleev, M.P. Bestuzhev-Ryumin, as well as P.G. Kakhovsky.

The Decembrists became the first opposition in the country. Their ideological views were radically different from those existing at that time. They were not revolutionaries! They served the state and were representatives of the upper class. The Decembrists wanted to help Emperor Alexander I.

Societies and unions of the Decembrists

Historians do not view secret societies as paramilitary organizations. This is more a way of socializing young people. After all, many were tired of officer service; they didn’t want to throw cards and go on a spree. Discussing politics made me feel like I was an important part of society.

Southern Society

The meeting appeared in a small town called Tulchin, where at one time the headquarters of the Second Army was located. Young officers with good education, decided to gather in a close circle and discuss policy issues. What is not an alternative to cards, women and vodka?

Salvation Union

It consisted of officers of the Life Guards Semenovsky Regiment. After 1815 they returned from the war and settled in St. Petersburg. Members of the Union of Salvation rented living space together. They even prescribed the details of everyday life in the charter: duty, rest, discussions. They were also interested in politics. Participants developed ways further development Russia, they proposed reforms.

Welfare Union

A couple of years later, the Union of Salvation grew so much that it turned into the Union of Welfare. There were many more participants (about 200). We never got together. Some might not even know each other by sight.

Later, the Union had to be dissolved, as there were too many people in it who did not bring any benefit to society.

Goals of the Decembrists. What did they want to achieve?

Many Decembrists took part in the hostilities. They took part in foreign campaigns and saw how Europe lives and what kind of order is in other countries. They understood that serfdom and the existing system did not meet the interests of Russia. These are the “shackles” that prevent the country from developing.

The Decembrists demanded:

Carrying out decisive reforms.
Introduction of the country's constitution.
Abolition of serfdom.
Creation of a fair judicial system.
Equality of people.

Of course, the details of the plan differed. There was never a clear and well-thought-out algorithm of actions. For example, it was not entirely clear how the constitution would be introduced. There were also questions about how to conduct general election when the population does not know how to write and read.

The Decembrists raised questions to which there was no single answer. Political discussion was just emerging in Russia. The nobles were afraid of civil strife and bloodshed. Therefore, they chose a military coup as a way to change power. The Decembrists believed that the soldiers would not let them down, that the military would unquestioningly carry out all orders.

Uprising on Senate Square in 1825

The Decembrists needed an opportune moment to translate their “reasonings” into reality. It came in 1825, when Alexander I died. Tsarevich Constantine was supposed to take the place of the emperor, but he abdicated the throne. Nicholas became the head of state.

Due to the lack of a clear and well-thought-out plan, the Decembrists' idea of an armed uprising was doomed to failure. In December 1825 they brought troops loyal to them to Senate Square. But it was too late, because all the decisions on the transfer of power had been made.

There was no one to make demands on. The general situation soon reached a dead end. The rebels were quickly surrounded by troops loyal to the government. A firefight broke out, leaving the rioters separated. They had to flee. Historians have calculated the approximate numbers of those killed at that time on both sides. There were about 80 of them.

Trial of the Decembrists

A special body was created to investigate the causes and identify those involved in the armed uprising. It was called the Secret Committee. A separate court was also established, which was responsible for passing sentences on the “rebels.”

For Emperor Nicholas I, it was extremely important to condemn the rebels strictly according to the law. The emperor had recently taken office, and it was necessary to show a “strong hand.”
The difficulty was the absence of such laws. There was no single code containing penalties for committing crimes. Nicholas I entrusted the development of the system to Mikhail Speransky, his dignitary, distinguished by his liberal views.
It was Mikhail Speransky who divided the charges into 11 categories (depending on the degree of guilt). The punishment was assigned depending on which category the accused fell into.
The 5 main Decembrists were immediately sentenced to death. Quartering was replaced by hanging.

The Decembrists could not defend themselves and have lawyers. They were even absent from the meeting. The judges simply reviewed the documents prepared by the investigators and made a final decision.

Many participants in the uprising were exiled to Siberia. Only Alexander II, 30 years later, would pardon the Decembrists. Although many of them were never able to live up to this moment