Connect with us

World History

What Happened During the Decembrist Revolt?

What was the outcome of the Decembrist Revolt?

Liberal military officials who were against the conservative ideas and views of Tsar Nicholas I organized a revolt that they thought would pave the way for them to have a country that wasn’t ruled by Tsars but had its own federal government and constitution.

This was the Decembrist Revolt. So, what happened during the Decembrist revolt? Let’s learn all about it.

Reasons behind the Revolt

These liberal officers believed that Tsar Nicholas I was undeserving of the throne; they also did not like him and were sure that Nicholas I had somehow cheated Constantine, his elder sibling, from getting the crown. However, it is said that Constantine, when he decided to get married to a common Polish girl, gave up his claim to the Russian throne in favor of marriage. Constantine had signed an abdication from the throne in the year 1823 secretly so as not to create any disturbances and tension in the monarchy. However, Nicholas was unaware of this fact.

The Decembrist Revolt

The Decembrists had already planned to execute a coup in the summer of 1826. They were to arrest Alexander, Nicholas, and Constantine and organize a military uprising. But Alexanders’ sudden death on November 19, 1925, made it imperative to change their plans.

It was December 14 in 1825, when the military would swear their loyalties to Nicholas I. The program was being held in the Senate Hall, outside of the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburgh, when many military rebels started an insurrection in their units and about 3000 men openly revolted in opposition of the Tsar.

Tsar Nicholas I did not want to start his rule by causing bloodshed. So, he, together with his advisors, attempted to have peace talks with the rebels, but nothing materialized. This left the Tsar no choice but to give orders to start firing at the rebels. The insurgents could not stand against the strong military force of the Tsar and had to give up. The number of death in rebels were reported to be almost 70. The captured rebels were either hung to death or some were banished to Siberia. This incident is referred to as the Decembrist revolt in history.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Who were the Decembrists?

The Decembrists were a group of Russian noblemen that included members from the highest aristocratic families and military officers. They wanted a country that was free of the Tsars. They no longer wanted the monarchy to continue. They wanted Russia to become a republic with a government made up of respected and elected people. They aimed to implement into Russia a political program that was liberal, and for them, the Tsar, Nicholas I, was too conservative and would not permit such laws.

Effects of the Decembrists Revolt

The Russian autocracy continued to rule for almost a century after the failure of the Decembrist Revolt. Though the Decembrists were defeated, they managed to affect the governance of the country in some ways. It made Nicholas I pay attention to the prominent issues in the Empire. The Decembrist Revolt created a breach between the government and the reformist liberals that kept on widening.

Lisa Less
Written By

Anna received her Masters degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland. Her writing focuses on history and general lifestyle pieces. Anna has been published in various lifestyle magazines. She spends her free time reading and furthering her knowledge about the about history.

Advertisement

You May Also Like

World History

The ‘Konfrontasi’ as those in Indonesia called it, was a confrontation between the British Commonwealth forces and Indonesian forces. The dispute was over whether...

World History

Greece is the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy. The country has produced some of the most famous and influential philosophers...

World History

Serfdom is the term to describe the institutional system that forced peasants to provide labor to landlords to let them occupy the land. Serfdom...

World History

After the end of World War II, Japan was severely damaged by the nuclear bombs, code-named Fat Man and Little Boy that were dropped...

World History

The Malayan Emergency occurred in British Malaya, including the Malay Peninsula and Singapore Island states. These regions were under the control of the British...

World History

As the Ottoman Empire declined, the Russian Tsar Nicholas I saw a chance to expand his rule over the Middle East and the Eastern...

World History

Who Were The Serfs? Serfs were Russian peasant tenants who lived on large estates and worked as laborers performing different tasks, looking after the...

World History

The Jewish Insurgency commenced in February 1944 when the Zionist underground groups, Irgun and Lehi, worked against the British rule in Mandatory Palestine. They wanted...