THE DECEMBRIST

REVOLT

By: Kev

in Schoen

feld

WHAT AND WHY? The Decembrist Revolt was an attempted uprising against Russian Tsar Nicolas I. The rebels believed that Nicolas I was unfit for the job and had cheated his older brother out of the throne. Also, they were skeptical about the legality of Nicolas’ reign since the previous tsar’s (Alexander I) succession was never made public. Furthermore, the rebels were active in the new liberal movement growing in Europe and pushed for a constitution and federal government rather than the current totalitarian one. The officers refused to pledge allegiance to the new tsar and In the hours that followed the uprising Nicolas I tried to negotiate peace talks but had no success. After this, the order to open fire was given and the rebels fell to the tsar’s superior military forces. About 65 died during the revolt and most were either tried and later hanged or exiled to Siberia.

WHO?• The protest was

conducted by military officials who led about 3,000 men versus about 9,000 troops loyal to Nicolas I.

• They rebelled in an effort to create a more liberal Russia.

TS AR N ICOL AS I

• The revolt took place December 26th, 1825 in Senate Square, outside the Winter Palace, in St. Petersburg.

• In 1925, to mark the centenary of the event, the square was renamed as Decembrist Square.

• In 2008 it reverted back to its original name.

WHERE AND WHEN?

PAINTING DEPICTING THE REVOLT

• The revolt inspired several related uprisings in southern Russia but were later put down.

• The rebels were later tried in St. Petersburg and most faced the death penalty.

• Since liberalism was a major threat to the tsar he initiated nationwide censorship and suppression of minority groups.

• Today, there is a memorial set up at the site of the executions in memory of the Decembrists.

AFTERMATH

SOURCEShttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decembrist_revolt

http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/easteurope/decrevolt.html