Russia's First Revolutionaries: The Decembrists
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- Опубліковано 1 чер 2022
- This is the story of the Decembrists, a group of young Russian aristocrats and army officers, including decorated veterans of the Napoleonic Wars, who returned home after the conflict hoping Russia would embark on a course of modernising reform. Instead, Emperor Alexander turned his back on the liberal ideals of his youth. He opposed all attempts to reform Russia's autocratic government, or end its brutal system of serfdom. The Decembrists, organising themselves into secret societies and publishing their own draft constitutions for a future Russia, decided that the only way forward was by revolution.
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I hope you enjoy Part 1 of this two-part series on the Decembrists - Russia's First Revolutionaries. I even squeezed in a few Napoleon references to keep the grognards happy.. And don't forget you can get early access to all our videos, plus the chance to vote on some upcoming Napoleonic topics, over at Patreon: www.patreon.com/EpicHistoryTV
Finally it’s here
History of the German empire and the Ottoman Empire series next!
why don't u tell us the Alexander was an aggressor during 1812 war? it's known fact. ur video intro implies that Napoleon was an aggressor. it's wrong. Tilsit peace was very beneficial for Russia, but mad Tsar, placed on his throne by British wanted war!
Alexander has already mastered 3 armies in Lithuanian starting from 1810. tried to induce Prussians to join an other war with Napoleon.
Great stuff as usual
As a grognard im pleased
The main thing I like about EHTV is that they really make a considerable effort to captivate your attention combining the music, the images and of course, the narrator's voice. Well done. Keep up the good work.
The production is a level, or a few, above channels that try to make similar content.
In my opinion the best example of what you're saying (making it captivating with music etc) was in their Battle of Borodino episode. I had legit chills when the video shows the painting of the Russian soldiers kneeling to the icon Our Lady of Smolensk with that music in the background; it really did capture the feeling of being on the precipice of some great cataclysm. There are many other examples but that is one that has always stood out to me. I'd also throw in the entire video of Alexander's Mutiny at Opis speech. Why am I surprised Epic History makes Epic content?
@@jona.scholt4362 Yes that's what I mean.
This guy never disappoint me
@MONICA-------👇💋 I'm confused. Are you sure you have the right person?
Keep in mind that Epic History TV is objective and neutral and does not take any sides. This is true History, not pro-Ukrainian propaganda neither pro-Russian propaganda.
An incredible story. I remember one of my Professors of Russian History passionately telling us about the Decembrists ('Dekabrists'). Thank you for doing the story of these young officers justice.
Not 'Dekrabrists', but i think "Dekabrists", bc December in russian will be Декабрь))
@@ditya_mupa oof, didn't notice the typo. It was very late after a long day 😅
What's this? You need to get back to work making your amazing videos, sir. No free time for you. ; )
I travelled to Irkutsk and visited a house of one of the noblemen Decembrists
Decabristi - Декабристы
Leo Tolstoy originally set out to write about the return of the Decembrists from exile. But in order to to do that, he needed to explain how the Decembrists got exiled in the first place. And in order to do *that*, he needed to explain the events that led to the formation of the Decembrists. The resulting novel ended up only briefly mentioning the Decembrists at the very end and garnered a reputation as both one of the greatest novels ever written and one of the most challenging to read: War and Peace.
I already had a love of historical fiction, but reading War and Peace solidified it and I quite enjoy learning about works of art, literature, and music in context of the historical periods in which they were created. Needless to say, this video is piquing my interest.
Why did you find it "challenging"? It's a very straightforward read.
@@Tolstoy111 I think the primary reason why I (and probably many other readers) found War and Peace challenging to read is because the way the work is narrated is broken up by all these interchapters with Tolstoy’s philosophical commentary and it sort of puts brakes on the narrative flow that we’re often expecting when we read a novel (even though Tolstoy didn’t really consider War and Peace to be a “novel”). That, combined with its length, can make it challenge to read, if not in processing everything you’re reading, then certainly in endurance.
I don’t know if the inclusion of interchapters (chapters not part of the main plot, but there to put context into it) was a common literary device in Tolstoy’s day, but it (for the most part) seems to have fallen out of use. One notable example I can think of is “The Grapes of Wrath”, which used interchapters to put context to the setting or the circumstances the characters were going to be facing in the next narrative chapter. The interchapters were much shorter, while the narrative chapters could easily span 40-50 pages in some sections.
@@crystalp7242 Yes the inter-chapters were a common device at the time. But the actual narrative having to do with the characters is wonderful and very open to the general reader.
no "leo", but a Lev. There is no need to alter the name.
Wow you have inspired me to finally open my copy
One of my degrees is in Russian studies. I did one of my term paper essays on the Decembrists. I am so excited to see you cover them.
@Gеnshin lmрасt 🅥 Why?
@@therealjoediaz pedo game, ignore it
@Ayoto 🅥 I'm not amused
As a Russian myself - pointless degree
@@aslkdmskfm universities are not job centers and employee factories, they’re centers for learning and studying the arts and sciences.
You want blunt usefulness? Go to a trade.
Please keep covering these semi-obscure historical events. Like everyone there are lots of topics I know a little bit about but frankly don’t understand properly. I’m really grateful for videos like this explaining these events in more detail and in a very digestible way. Please keep it up!
Seconded
Yeah me two but I just wish he did East and south Asian history because barely anybody knows about these places history.
Russia is such a fascinating country because it’s history is so rich, there’s so many situations where if one thing had went completely different we would have an entirely different Russia then the one we know today. Awesome video man
but there are deeper causes based in culture economy etc that allow one thing to happen, and not another. in cases where such causes are ignored, there will chaos until events conform to deep causes .
Based on the Decembrist uprising alone, you can write several options for tricks for hearts of iron 4. And we go through all this multi-volume horror at school in the lessons of history and literature🥴 .
Really impossible to make such a judgement. Sure perhaps a single readon explained the cause of an event, but how do you 20 others weren't ready to take its place?
I have always had a hard time understanding how Russia could embrace the Orthodox Church that had such a strong bent toward free will. It's one thing I really appreciate about the Orthodox. But it certainly doesn't jive with their early politics.
Ok liberal
Just want to say the effort put into animation is NOT lost on your audience. The motion in the faces adds an excellent humanity to these historical figures
Definitely, I think these videos are expertly made
I disagree, they are deep in the 'uncanny valley' and just creepy as hell when you look at them. I prefer the simple drawings over these animated "faces" that bend and blink like some alien neural network is trying to imitate a human.
@@simonschouten7231 I rewatched a bit of it and I couldn’t see that at all mate
What is a good part in the video to see the wacky animation
Epic History TV remains the unsurpassed gold standard of historical content on UA-cam. Clear, concise, exciting and engaging. It's always a good day when a new episode is released.
What an irony that the russian army went trough Western Europe all the way to Paris in order to restaure the ancient order, only to import ideas of enlightment through their young officers.
It seems that the russian autocrat rulers of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, had a mixed feeling of fascination and fear about western ideas ( as Catherine II who was very fond of Voltaire).
Excellent content as usual.
'Content'
Contempt has a rather different meaning...
@@kieranh2005 thanks for the lesson
Rulers like Catherine II and Alexander I always faced the dilemma of modernizing the Russian state while preserving its absolute monarchy when making reforms.
Russia has always been a cesspit of slavemasters and slaves
@@youtubesangryopinionramble1465 Yes, Alexander II, the most liberal ruler in the history of Russia, also faced such a dilemma. I suspect that Russia needs a different system, the Western one does not suit it.
The friend of Ryleyev, describing the meeting from 16:46 to 17:44, Adam Mickiewicz is considered the greatest or at least the most influential Polish poet. Even though he wrote in Polish, he is also viewed as 'their own' by some Belarusians and Lithuanians. In 1823 he was imprisoned and subsequently internally exiled for belonging to the student associations of the University of Vilnius (aka Wilno/Vilna): Filarets and Philomaths. That's how he found himself in St. Petersburg.
I'm really looking forward to the second part!
Moreover, Mickiewicz had been personal friends with one Alexander Pushkin, whom despite their relationship had supported Nicholas I’s victory over the Polish uprising of 1830.
@@youtubesangryopinionramble1465 it has always baffled me that Pushkin, the bane of tsarist autocracy and very much the voice of (at least intellectual) freedom in Russia, was a staunch defender of colonialism. He even made a hero out of Alexei Yermolov, aka "Yarmul the Monster", the brutal conqueror of the Caucasus!
@@b.chaline4394 Pushkin was a patriot and a nationalist. And Ryleev, too, did not really like the Poles (as he called them the Scythians).
The freedom of one's own people and its expansion are not contradictory things.
What an excellent, educational and very timely video, well done Epic History!
So glad to be a Patreon supporter!
"You don't get things done by speaking softly in French."
This man gets it.
He was right to be distrustful and even antagonistic towards what was then deemed as decadent, impractical and overly optimistic ideals born out of rash speculation by negligent philosphes and chaotic mob rule during the French Revolutionary Wars.
It's always a revolution when Epic History releases a new series.
Cheeky but amusing
You guys really stepped things up. From 9:01 to 10:04, I saw that the Decemberists’ faces moved like a moving painting; really nice craftsmanship. As always, your content is wonderful.
The quality of these videos just keeps on getting better and better!
The best historical channel on youtube love your content and can't wait for the next episode 👍
BETTER THAN ANY SHOW ON NETFLIX EVER,
I haven't watched yet I can tell it's a masterpiece 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Seriously.. as a history professor, I cannot appreciate your channel enough!!
Why ?
@@yvesgauthierndri8750 Because people get excited about history because of these video's.
@@TimDutch In that case , history should be banned from school
@@yvesgauthierndri8750 Explain your reasoning
@@yvesgauthierndri8750 that's like saying Mathematics should no longer be taught in Schools. not a good choice
3:40 State of the then Russia
5:02 Alexander II's early reign
6:36 End of reforms
7:41 The Decembrists
13:42 Northern & Southern societies
Amazing… what an intersection between the Napoleon series and Russia series.
Such a good feeling getting a notification about a new video from the best history channel
I have watched many historical documentary channels however none comes close to this one. The voice alone takes you to that time period. Keep it up
Really excited for the next episode. Excellent work as usual EH TV!
This channel was told to be the greatest history channel. Now this is a clear prove for that.
This is the best History channel
Before even watching it i know it will be amazing ,your channel never disappoint , thank you for the great quality historical production
I swear, the content yall make is astounding, each new video fills me with the same wonder and joy that the History Channel gave me as a kid
Amazing content as always. Looking forward to Part 2!
One of history’s saddest and intriguing ‘what if’ moments.
Still the best UA-cam history channel there is. Detailed, entertaining and historical unlike what the History channel has become. Well done and keep it going.
I always get pumped when I see a new video from this channel! Thank you!
Truly the most brilliant and greatest History channel with no exaggeration. It is a delight to watch it and much appreciate the little details such as the AI tools.
I have been anticipating this video, thanks for your great educative content, keep it up 👍
One of the finest piece of documentary i have ever seen. Great work
Yaaaaasssss!!! Been waiting for this one. Still my personal favorite channel.
I was literally just looking for an explanatory video of the Decembrists a few days ago. Just read war and peace and now I’m fascinated with Russian history
Amazing content as always keep it up!
Absolutely fascinating content and of such high caliber and quality as well I look forward to seeing more videos in the future
The narrator's voice is PERFECT for this type of content. WIth the music behind him it makes the scene so epic.
Love this channel so much you guys do an amazing job with your videos. Keep it up!!!
"My downfall raises me to infinite heights."- Napoleon
I love the new living-moving portraits, excellent new addition!
Epic history TV is back!!..love to see it...thank you
Great stuff as always! One reason for Alexander's crackdown after 1812 might have also been the 60 or so peasant uprisings that happened during Napoleon's invasion.
Very interesting to know about some sixty peasant uprisings when Napoleon was present with his largest army on Russian soil.
Hope somebody explains and elaborates about it.
Thank you so much Real Time History
History of the German empire and the Ottoman Empire series next!
This was the best of the serie.. impressive music and stories👌👌
Such a piece of art! Thanks Epic History TV!
Subtitles in Swedish after two hours.
Not that I need but now many more in Sweden can enjoy this content.
Thank you!
Good work
Had Russia reformed to a constitutional monarchy much earlier, they would’ve prevented or stemmed the future of the troubles it will give.
Doubtful. With Russia’s problems back then, forming a constitutional monarchy was the least of its concern. It was lagging behind in almost all major industrial capabilities comparing with its Western European counterparts. Financially it’s almost medieval.
Had Napoléon succeeded , and maybe if serfdom was abolished earlier, it might be possible
But instead they decided to be corrupt absolutists. And to think there are trad tards on the internet that want to emulate their style of government LMAO
I, maybe none of those stupid communists would have gotten into power.
@@glocksmith226 Powerful military does not equate to competent administrators and policy-makers, especially when the northern and southern organizations themselves can’t even unified on what their end goals were.
Oh thank you.
Played automatically before even looking for it.
Great documentary. Thank you for your contribution to historical work.
In graduate school, my final assignment in my Russian language class was to write an essay onthe subject of our choice. I chose to write about the history of the Liberal movement in Russia and the Decembrists played a very prominent role in that essay. I got an A and praise from my teacher along with the rest of the class.
People tend to think of Russia as this monolith of autocracy with no challenges to that order, but a closer analysis of history shows that liberal ideals have always been in Russia and just never given a proper chance to take hold. And this documentary provides a lot more context I wish I had at my disposal for that essay.
Thank you so much for your work on this lesser-known topic. I really hope you continue this trend of shining a light of overshadowed moments of history, both Russian and not.
Спасибо большое для твоей работы. Один день, в будущем, Россия будет свободной!
Oh damn, dude, I cried, when read this. Remembering what's now acts as an ideology - it's so unclear, how much time will this take, but yeah.
Россия - будет свободной.
You're wrong. In the 20th century, Russia was the leader of the free and progressive world.
@@kscempire7789 you are talking about regime of censorship, mass repressions of thinkers and enforced ideology?
@@mellowmind9488 Did you just describe the modern USA or someone else?
Try to read something about the USSR other than American propaganda books
Great content as always. I was wondering if you'd ever cover the age of exploration such as the spanish conquests of america? It'd make for quite the interesting and informative series.
Amazing work! Perhaps the only channel I revisit for new videos. All videos are so rewatchable as well. I wish I could make videos like you or he apart of the process. Love history.
Today second part came up on Patreon was really great to watch
В наших государственных организациях по образованию мне не рассказывали про декабристов так же подробно, как на этом канале
Great video as always! I never knew that there was so much influence from America in the decembrists government ideas
still the best history channel on youtube, every video is a hit
Waiting for this since a lot of time, go! epic History tv, go! and dont spare epicness
I got a feeling that this is going to be really epic! Keep up the great work!!!
I enjoy you’re videos about Napoleon and the Russian Revolution’s. I really like to see you guys do videos on the French Revolution’s.
One of the greatest narratives about the decembrist uprising. Also this channel have other things as well. This background music captures the attention of listener and the narrator mr Charles nowe s voice is greatly corrected to that music. His voice is absolutely catching voice and i ve thrilled by what he will say next and eagerly waiting for the end of the video. EHTV one of my fav channels and the best History channel in youtube. Thank you for the video and Appreciate all your hard work and dedication towards the video. Love you EHTV. One of your big fan from Sri Lanka ❤️. Waiting for more great content in this year also. 🔥❤️❤️
wow, the blinking models look great! good job on the art!
Epic History tv, this is an interesting story about The Decembrists is like deeper History of Russia and I am curious to know more about its revolution.
I am a fan from The Philippines and love watching your videos.
Napoleon is a beast and one of my favourite generals of history so i thank u for covering he's story till the end !!! Keep up the great work 🔥💪
They didn't cover a lot of his campaigns, before he proclaimed himself emperor of the France, unfortunately.
@@vadimbondarenko6381 yeah but thats probably because they wanted to cover the ( Napoleonic wars ) as a whole and not just the life of Bonaparte
@@nazgulring8636 but his First and second Italian campeigns as well as Egypt campeign is also considered Napoleonic wars and some of the best I would say.
@@vadimbondarenko6381 trueee but i mean the most known and important campaign's of the Napoleonic wars
He is going to make videos about Italy campaigns of Napoleon he said on patreon after this series.
Another great episode and great narration. Looking forward to more
Great as always, minor animation improvements are well appreciated
It's been a while since I've seen some content from Epic History TV. Hopefully this is good.
I have been waiting for a new video, Toby.
Thank you, sir.
Greatest channel of youtube with another great video. Thank you very much
Awesome vid, can't wait for part 2
16:33 “There are no good governments in the world, except in America.”
Aged like milk.
LOL 💀
It's unfortunate as to what it has become.
Says the absolute monarch. Even with our flaws I'll take the American Republic over the French Empire every day of the week, and twice on Sundays.
@@jeffjanzen5331 it’s not ran by a monarch, and had free speech where the French empire didn’t, but that’s a republic that still managed to annex a lot of territory through Mexican American war and Indian removal
@@furimindusties5736 nothing but fools and degenerates.
Even though it’s a departure from the usual wars and battle maps, the quality of this content is still absolutely mind boggling
Cool! as always, excellent. Thank you very much for such an excellent documentary, the best of the history channels without a doubt.
Congratulations!.
Amzing video. I was missing your XIX century videos
Great video!
How did you make the moving portraits?
I knew the name "Decemberists" but little else. Thanks for filling in a blank in my historical knowledge. I look forward to the next installment as Russian history seems apt in the current situation.
Thank you Epic History TV team
SO GOOD! When more, when more, when more!
It's amazing to see the similarities between the Russian Revolutionaries version of the Constitution and the United States Constitution. It really shows how much of an impact the American Revolution had. Epic History TV even gives us a quote showing this in 16:35.
The ideas for the Constitution in the US came from elsewhere too though, such as the UK.
Also the ideology of the revolution were words more than action, as much propaganda as anything. Slavery, manifest destiny and the frontier mentality defined the aggressive capitalism. And America wanted to build up its own power and influence while diminishing others.
For the most part the writers of the US constitution kept their promise. They didnt promise a peaceful nation, or one of racial equality but that personal property would be protected. Cant call it properganda if they never made those promises in the first place.
10 years after Tsar Nicholas I ascended the Throne rumours and legends begin to surface of which the most often told claimed that Tsar Alexander I did not die but rather became a Siberian hermit named Feodor Kuzmich. These rumors originated from the words of Tsar Alexander I himself during his last years of his reign to his brother Grand Duke Nicholas that he wanted to see Nicholas ascend the Throne and how he will rejoiced when he blend in with the crowd during the Coronation.
Also it was noted that Feodor Kuzmich have strong physical and personality resemblance to the Tsar Alexander I. Historians reject the legends, but popular writers resurrect them often.
This is quite possible, since Alexander lost his mind and became a radical Christian. Perhaps this is a result of Post-traumatic stress disorder or hereditary.
@@radziwill7193 He did not "lose his mind"
@@radziwill7193 What makes you thing that he lost his mind? Being emperor of a massive autocratic empire is not a small task. Especially when you want to have a clear consciousness. He fought for years endless wars , hundreds of thousands were killed in his name. A desire to get away from all that at some point doesn’t seem extreme.
@@Jim-fi4dc This only confirms that he could have lost his mind and become a monk.
@@radziwill7193 That’s propably the only thing he could do. It’s a different time , a different world. He couldn’t just abdicate for no reason and live his life as an aristocrat. Only by faking his death he could escape from such responsibility.
Love the content! Keep it coming!!
love this channel. Epic! Thanks! :D
There was a lot about Napoleon previously, but after this will you ever cover Napoleon's campaign in Italy and Battle of Dresden as you covered with Duke of Wellington in Iberia?
He is going to do some videos about his campaigns in Italy he said on patreon.
There was a period of time in high school when I read and studied a lot of world history.
Granted, I think a lot of the books provided more of a summary and synopsis than anything else.
I already knew about the Russian revolution and much more recently about the revolts and uprising for liberal reform following the end of the Napoleonic Wars, but I was unaware this also applied to Russia.
In the grand scheme of things this is a minor nitpick because it is a small detail that doesn't apply to the main topic.
Tsar Paul was not merely strangled to death. At the very least I think he was also stabbed multiple times. His assailants were both intoxicated and I believe they were trying to force the Tsar to sign a document abdicating his throne and title.
Thank you for all your hard work bringing this topic to life.
Thank you so much for such a great work
Well done! Only one of, if not the best, history channels on UA-cam could produce an engaging and entertaining video on a country that I find boring and uninteresting.
I saw a short part of union salvation and was a bit confused about it, glad this came about
L'Espoir de la Liberte!
Sad to know they will lose. I hope Epic History TV does a Napoleon III series, the man is critically underrated, and is a great topic
While their aim is noble, it would take tremendous or even close to impossible efforts to establish a government stable enough but not stagnant. Plus the autocratic system did has its merits of centralization efforts in coordinating economic and industrial development.
If they had succeeded the Jacobin equivalents were likely to take over, much as they did in France. And after they took over, they were likely to start a new reign of terror and go to war with their neighbors.
Amazing as always!
Another great video. Music is perfect and enhances your videos
One of the most underrated attempted revolutions of all time.
This channel is so awesome!
Love the animation. You have outdone yourself again.
Of all the UA-camrs, your voice is the best man 👨
Ooh. Nice new focus.
Watching this channel is like watching a good documentary on tv except the good documentaries on tv are nowadays exclusively nature documentaries, historical documentaries are way too often speculative or even just fiction dressed up as a documentary.
Love this channel, keep going, may you produce many many more!
Yeah, a History Channel take would be the Decembrists were definitely aliens, lol!
I'm still waiting for the video on WW2 from this channel. This is the best channel for anyone who would like to talk about UA-cam.
I think WWII is ALREADY over researched. Bringing these obscure historical facts to light is the best way to go .
Charles Nove has to be one of, if not the best narrators in the game, I always think about his section on Murat but all are spectacular