Try: December 14, 1825!

Ninety two years before the Revolution of 1917 in which the Bolsheviks seized power, a miscarried Revolution occured which aimed for the first time ever, to change the Tsarist autocratic regime in Russia and institute a more liberal, democratic system. It failed, yet its repercussions continued to be felt for decades to come.

The First Russian Revolution-1825, by Dr. Anatole G. Mazour, published originally in 1937 and making extensive use of primary Russian sources stands the test of time as the definitive work on this little known yet profound event in the political life of Imperial Russia.

What came to be known as the Decembrist Revolt is traced back to its roots in the 18th century Russia where the development of an intelligensia is sparked by internal reforms and the Enlightenment thinking infiltrating from Western Europe. The economic problems caused by serfdom, where an astonishing 90% of the population of Russia lived as virtual slaves to the nobility; the influence of Russia's decisive participation in the Napoleonic Wars; Russian participation in European affairs; and increasing contact with the West stimulated the growth of these ideas.

The general brutality and cruelty of the Tsarist ministers and officals and their reaction to blossoming liberal ideas led to the development of secret societies of various philosophies and objectives culminating with a challenge the Tsarist government on December 14, 1825. It was the first day of the reign of Tsar Nicholas I.

The book is very well organized in an easy to read 290 pages which covers the social, political and economic conditions in the north and south of Russia, its relations with neighboring states, the revolt itself, and the trial and resulting punishment of the revolutionaries. It contains some surprising revelations, such as the extensive use of French as a language of Russian royalty and the nobility, and personal insights into Nicholas I and his unusual rise to the throne. Dr. Manzour ends with an analysis of the lasting effects of the revolt on Nicholas I personally and the Tsarist autocratic system, and the development of the Russian state.

Included in the appendix are excerpts of the testimony and letters of some of the principal revolutionists to the Tsar's investigative commission; their letters to Nicholas himself, and letters between Nicholas and his elder brother Grand Duke Constantine. Also included are numerous portraits of various participants. Unfortunately in the edition I have (1961), the letters between Nicholas and Constantine, as well as some additional documents are in their original French! Hopefully a future edition will translate these into English so they will be understandable, and with a footnote to indicate the original document was written in French.

This book is required reading for all those who want to understand the origins of Russia's long struggle to become a free, open, democratic society with a market economy ruled by laws and not by men. This endeavor continues, with more success, to this day...177 years later.