The First Russian Revolution: The Decembrist Revolt of 1825

Looking two hundred years in the past, an enlightening study of the neglected liberal tradition in Russian political thought with resonance for today.

On December 14, 1825, a group of young Russian army officers led three thousand troops to Senate Square in St. Petersburg, aiming to force the senate to adopt a liberal constitution and transform the Russian Empire. The Decembrist Revolt–as it came to be known–was suppressed, with a second uprising in the south meeting the same fate. Five leaders were executed, and many others exiled to Siberia. Why did so many young noblemen risk their lives for regime change, what was their vision for an alternative society, and what were the consequences for participants and their families? This book highlights the often-neglected liberal tradition in Russian political thought and the experiences of Decembrist wives and fianc?es, offering a fresh reinterpretation in the light of recent events in Russia.

Author: Susanna Rabow-Edling
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Published: 06/06/2025
Pages: 320
Weight: 1.34lbs
Size: 9.25h x 6.55w x 1.11d
ISBN: 9781836390213
Language: English