Россия в эпоху Николая I

Россия в эпоху правления императора Николая I

• Декабристы: Secret societies of Russian officers who staged an armed uprising against the autocracy on December 14, 1825. The movement was primarily composed of aristocratic officers.

• Ideology of the Decembrists: Influenced by Enlightenment thinkers and Russian reformers of the late 18th century (like Radishchev and Novikov). The 1812 war and subsequent campaigns in Europe exposed them to other political systems, fueling their desire for change. The Decembrists believed that autocracy and serfdom were obstacles to Russia's progress.

• Organizations: First, the "Union of Salvation", which was replaced by the "Union of Welfare" in 1818. This later splintered into the "Northern Society" (in St. Petersburg) led by N.M. Muravyov and the "Southern Society" (on the Ukraine) led by P.I. Pestel. "Constitutions" and "Russian Truths" were their key political documents, outlining ideas for a constitutional monarchy or republic, respectively. They abolished serfdom and implemented other reforms.

• Uprising of 1825: The Decembrists hoped to exploit the power vacuum after the sudden death of Tsar Alexander I by staging an uprising on Senate Square in St. Petersburg, demanding a constitution. Their attempt failed; many leaders were executed, and others exiled to Siberia.

• Internal Policies during Nicholas I: The reign was marked by a conservative approach to modernization, aiming to solidify autocracy. The Tsar focused on strengthening the bureaucracy and expanding the military.

• Third Section: The secret police force, established to suppress dissent and maintain stability; a powerful tool used by Nicholas I in maintaining control. Codification of the law, as well as censorship, reduced the freedoms of expression and thought.

• Economic Policies: Nicholas I attempted to modernize the economy, but he largely avoided making changes to the serfdom system.

• Social Policies: Nicholas I intended to establish firm control on the nobility. The goal was to maintain the existing social hierarchy.

• Foreign Policy: The Tsar acted to uphold the existing European order, seeking to contain revolution abroad. Russia's role in the suppression of the 1848 revolutions in Europe made them seen as an enforcer of the status quo - or the "gendarme of Europe."

• Crimean War (1853-1856): A major war involving Russia, Britain, France, and the Ottoman Empire. Nicholas I's ambitions in the Black Sea region and the Balkans led to this conflict, which highlighted Russia's lagging military technology and administrative capacity. The defeat was a major blow to the Tsarist regime.