Rabow-Edling released this book in 2025 for the 200th anniversary of the Decembrist Revolt. My knowledge about this event was limited to the page or two that would be covered in Russian history books that spanned centuries. I got this book from the library and looked forward to learning more.
She began by writing about the current view of the Decembrists in Russia today and how their ideals are antithetical to the current ruling class. The Decembrists were members of the aristocracy. They had lands and titles. They also fought in the Napoleonic wars. They traveled across Europe and saw the differences between those countries and their own. Russia still practiced serfdom.
These men longed for liberty. Rabow-Edling writes about how they believed in heroic sacrifice. She also notes several times how the Decembrists were unique because they acted against their own self interest. They were wealthy, well educated, and had a bright future. Yet they were disillusioned with the Russian government. They had read from the great thinkers like Grotius, Pufendorf, and Locke and wanted to see Russia embrace liberty.
They hoped that Tzar Alexander I would usher in reforms. He at first seemed open to the idea. However reforms never materialized and the Decembrists formed secret societies where they dreamed of liberty. Two competing ideas for constitutional reform were developing. One in St. Petersburg and the other in the Ukraine. Documents were written explaining the reforms that they wanted implemented. Eventually they decided that when the Tzar died they would revolt.
They figured they would have years or decades to plan. Alexander I was in his mid forties. Then he unexpectedly died in Taganrog. The Decembrist decided to act even though they were not fully prepared. Rabow-Edling describes the revolt in St. Petersburg and the secondary revolt in Ukraine a few weeks later. Then she spends the remainder of the book on the trials and exile of some of the Decembrists.
I would give this book 5 stars for the subject matter but 3 stars for the writing. It seems abrupt at times. A chapter will end when it feels like there is more information to convey. It almost feels like the author was writing to meet a deadline and as a result sacrificed some content to make sure it happened. Overall I give this book 4 stars.
Thomas Aquinas is credited as one of the greatest proponents of natural law. During his time in Cologne he was taught by Albertus Magnus. Magnus used the teachings of Aristotle in his mentorship of Thomas Aquinas.
Samuel Adams believed in American Independence from Great Britain. He is one of the most well know Son's of Liberty. On August 1, 1776 he gave a speech to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
“Lest the land become desolate and the Christian name be destroyed there, we exhort and command the faithful to take up the sign of the cross and bring aid to the Christians established in Livonia.”
Pope Gregory IX
During the time of Alexander Nevsky why were western Catholic powers seen as a greater spiritual threat than the Mongols?
The Golden Horde ruled the principalities of Russia. Noble Russians were still allowed to serve as the princes of the great cities, but they owed their power to the Horde. A tribute system was established and in practice in 1262.
Those who collected the tax were known as the Besermeny. The were usually Muslim merchants or tax farmers working for the Golden Horde. They were foreigners and they were collecting the wealth of the native Russians. This made them hated. Prior to 1262 the Horde conducted a census in Russia to determine exactly what tributes needed to be paid. This had been met with great hostility.
In 1262 the besermeny had great power. The Russian chronicle notes that they “created great violence among the people.” It seems clear that they were willing to abuse their power to accomplish their jobs. In addition to monetary contributions by 1262 the Russian population also had to contribute their men to fight in the wars of the Golden Horde. This further angered the local ...
