The First Russian Revolution

On 14December 1825 a group of young Russian army officers led 3,000 troops toSenate Square in St Petersburg, aiming to force the Senate to adopt a liberalconstitution and transform the Russian Empire. The Decembrist Revolt - as itcame to be known - was suppressed, with a second uprising in the southmeeting the same fate. Five leaders were executed, and many others exiled toSiberia.Why did so many young noblemen risk their lives for regime change, what wastheir vision for an alternative society, and what were the consequences forparticipants and their families? This book highlights the often-neglectedliberal tradition in Russian political thought and the experiences ofDecembrist wives and fiancees, offering a fresh reinterpretation in the lightof recent events in Russia.