The first secret organization of the future Decembrists was the Union of Salvation, organized in early December 1816. The community was originally called differently - "The Society of True and Faithful Sons of the Fatherland."
What contributed to the creation of this secret organization? After the return of the Russian army from foreign campaigns, many guards officers realized that it was possible to live better, as they got acquainted with the European political system, with their way of life and standard of living. This was the impetus to carry out the creation of the Salvation Union. Who became the founders? As noted above, the initiative was taken by guards officers, among whom was A. N. Muravyov, Prince S. Trubetskoy and the Muravyov brothers. They were members of the Sacred and Semenov Artel. In addition to the above persons, Pavel Pestel, Nikita Muravyov, Major Lunin and Colonel F. Glinka participated in the secret organization of the Union of Salvation. Initially, the society consisted of about 30 people. The members of the organization set themselves the following tasks:
- establishment of a constitutional order;
- liquidation of autocracy;
- destruction of serfdom.
However, their intentions wereimpracticable, since the actions and their nature were not clearly defined: some proposed regicide, others - during the coronation to present their conditions to the new king. Thus, the secret organization called the Salvation Union was not yet ready for action.
On the basis of the first society of the Decembrists, two years later, in 1818, a new secret organization, the Union of Welfare, was created. This society was many times larger than the first and consisted of about 200 people. It was the Union of Salvation and the Union of Prosperity that played a large role in Russian revolutionary history. The second secret organization of the Decembrists already had its charter and program. What did its members criticize? First, the autocratic system of Russia; secondly, the arbitrariness of the landowners, serfdom and bribery; thirdly, they reproached the authorities for the hard life of the people. It is not surprising that they used the poems of the young Pushkin to express their ideas of propaganda views.
The Welfare Alliance has done a great job. In 1820, there were several unrest among the soldiers, subject to the royal authority. Members of the guards regiments, namely Semenovsky, refused to obey, and without any permission went to the pre-barracks area. This kind of unrest broke out in the tsarist army for the first time, so the participants in this kind of uprising were punished as rioters severely.
However, the performance of the soldiers made it clear to the emperor that discontent in the army is growing, which means that changes are needed. This yearthe organization decides to fight for republican rule in Russia. They have changed the program and tactics. These changes led to the creation of the Northern and Southern Societies.
The Salvation Union was the very first secret organization of the Decembrists. This society marked the beginning of the period of noble revolutionism. It was the members of the Salvation Union who later became participants in the uprising on Senate Square in St. Petersburg.
