Description
THE FIRST RUSSIAN REVOLUTION 1825
The Decembrist Movement
ANATOLE G. MAZOUR
A reissue. "The Russian Revolution is a process which started probably with Peter the Great and which has not yet been concluded. It is the effort of the transformation of a backward and oppressive form of society into a more progressive one which would assure more justice and more liberty to the peoples of Russia. In this long process there are two outstanding events which mark turning points. The second and much better known is the Revolution of 1917 and its rapid transition from February to October. The first, much less known, is the so-called Decembrist Movement which led to the first revolutionary explosion in Russia in December
1825, ninety-two years before Lenin inaugurated a new stage of the Russian Revolution. The revolution of December 14, 1825, was a very short-lived affair, quickly suppressed, without any outward significance. But inwardly, this first attempt on the part of Russian intellectuals, members of the aristocracy, to liberalize and humanize the Russian regime was of utmost significance. It was the start of all the later revolutionary movements of the Russian intelligentsia. It was the source of inspiration to the succeeding generations.
"Notwithstanding the importance of the Decembrist Movement, there did not exist until now a detailed treatise on its origins, development, and significance. The present book by Dr. Mazour tries to fill the gap, and it does it so well that, at least for some time to come, it can be regarded not only as the first but also the definitive book on its subject…The author not only presents us with the history of the Decembrist Movement, but traces its background back to about 1800 and practically covers the ground of a history of the liberal and revolutionary movements in Russia from 1800 to 1825. He gives us a detailed story of the rise and development of both branches of the revolutionary movement then, the Northern Society and the Southern Society, their program discussions, their preparations for the revolt, their defeat and their trial, and ends with a description of their life in exile in “Siberia."-The Annals.
"One of the most important books ever printed about Russia."-Los Angeles Times.
"Dr. Mazour's book unquestionably will prove to be of value. . . . In addition to its scientific value, this account of a dramatic page of Russian history is also interesting as general reading."-The New York Times Book Review.
"The historian no less than the general reader must be grateful for so careful and illuminating a study of a little-known subject."- The Spectator (London).
"It is a first rate history . . . The mass of materials . . . is handled with that assurance which attests both mastery of detail and breadth of vision."-Sun Francisco Chronicle.
Mr. Mazour is Professor of History at Stanford University.
This is a reproduction edition from a scanned copy of the original work from Stanford University Press published in 1937 (ISBN 080470818).
