New Books Network Susanna Rabow-Edling, "The First Russian Revolution: The Decembrist Revolt Of 1825" (Reaktion Books, 2025)
Nov 16, 2025
Susanna Rabow-Edling, a historian and author specializing in Russian liberalism, dives into the Decembrist Revolt of 1825, exploring its enduring impact on Russian history. She discusses the Decembrists' quest for freedom and reform, influenced by European Enlightenment ideas. The conversation reveals how their failed coup attempt reshaped subsequent governance under Nicholas I. Susanna also critiques modern interpretations of the Decembrists in culture, highlighting their ongoing relevance in discussions of authoritarianism and liberal ideals.
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Liberal Tradition Among Russian Elites
- The Decembrists showed that a liberal tradition existed among Russian elites, not just conservative continuity.
- Susanna Rabow-Edling argues this tradition has been neglected in standard narratives of Russian history.
Officers Turned Reformers
- Decembrists were mainly educated officer-aristocrats who encountered liberal ideas during the Napoleonic wars.
- Their military service and French-language education exposed them to European political models and spurred reformist anger at serfdom.
Succession Crisis That Triggered Action
- Alexander I's sudden death and Constantine's secret renunciation created a succession crisis the Decembrists tried to exploit.
- They rushed a plan to seize key buildings and force a provisional government during the oath to Nicholas.
