What you must do in this unit
- Read the textbook pages 281-84.
- Check the remarks by Professor Blois and Professor Evans on the Decembrists and watch the short video.
- Study the Questions to Consider and the Key Terms for the Unit.
- Submit the Decembrists paragraph.
What you can do in this unit
- Read the notes by Professor Hammond on the state of "Russia in 1825" and then his lengthy remarks on the Decembrists--These are very good. (*.PDF files)
- Read chapter 21 from Mary Platt Parmele (1843-1911) A Short History of Russia (1907, 4th edition). This is optional reading.
Some videos that you can watch for this unit
- Interesting scene from a 1975 Russia film (Звезда пленительного счастья, The Captivating Star of Happiness) that depicts the revolt. This is part 1, and you can also find the other two parts online.
- This episode from "A History of Russia" eventually does deal a bit with the Decembrists.
- Who knew that there was a website, www.executedtoday.com! Here is the entry for Pavel Pestel and the Decembrists.
- For extra credit please suggest to your instructor a relevant video for this unit of the course. Send the title of the video, the URL and a brief explanation of why you find the video interesting and applicable to the material that is being studied in this unit.
Extra Credit Options
- For up to 25 points of extra credit, read Anatole Mazour, The First Russian Revolution, 1825: The Decembrist Movement, Its Origins, Development, and Significance (1961) and write a one-page paper explaining the roots of the Decembrist societies (and their differences).
- For up to 25 points of extra credit, read Patrick O'Meara, The Decembrist Pavel Pestel: Russia's First Republican (2003) and write a one-page paper in which you explain the main ideas of Pestel to reform Russia.
Unit Learning Objectives
- Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to (1) explain the development of Decembrist conspiracies, (2) assess the outcomes of the failed revolt and (3) analyze a historical primary source.