Mikhail Vasilyevich Butashevich-Petrashevsky, whose photo is shown below, was born on November 1, 1821 in St. Petersburg. His father was a military doctor, a real state councilor.
M. V. Butashevich-Petrashevsky: short biography
In 1839, after graduating from the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, he entered the Faculty of Law at St. Petersburg University. After completing his education, he served in the Foreign Ministry as a translator. Butashevich-Petrashevsky participated in the compilation of the Dictionary of Foreign Words Included in the Russian Language. The first edition was edited by Maykov. The second issue was completely corrected by Butashevich-Petrashevsky. He also wrote most of the theoretical articles. They promoted materialistic and democratic ideas, the concept of utopian socialism.
Butashevich-Petrashevsky: who is he for pre-revolutionary Russia?
First of all, it must be said that this man was the foremost thinker of his time. Butashevich-Petrashevsky, whose biography is closely connected with revolutionary unrest in the country, organized meetings in his house from 1844. In 1845, meetingsbecame weekly ("Fridays"). The participants in the meetings used the library of Butashevich-Petrashevsky. Some publications were banned in Russia. They concerned the history of revolutionary movements, materialistic philosophy, utopian socialism. Butashevich-Petrashevsky, in short, advocated the democratization of the state system in the country, the liberation of peasants with land plots.
Arrest
At the end of 1848, Butashevich-Petrashevsky took part in meetings at which the establishment of a secret community was discussed. The Thinker was an active supporter of the continuous preparation of the people for the revolutionary struggle. In 1849, public figure Butashevich-Petrashevsky and several dozen people associated with him were arrested. The criminal court sentenced them to death. However, it was replaced by indefinite hard labor. Butashevich-Petrashevsky was exiled to Eastern Siberia.
Last years of life
Since 1856, being an exiled settler, Butashevich-Petrashevsky lived in Irkutsk. Here he taught, collaborated with local newspapers. In 1860, he organized the printed edition "Amur". In February of the same year, he was sent to Shushenskoye for speaking out against the activities of local authorities. In December 1860 he moved to Krasnoyarsk and lived there until 1864. Here he had a great influence on the work of the city duma. The governor of Krasnoyarsk Petrashevsky was first sent back to Shushenskoye, and then to the village. Kebezh. In early May 1866 he was transferred to the village. Belskoye in the Yenisei District. Here he died of a cerebral hemorrhage.
Features of the revolutionary circle
Active formation of new underground communities in Russia began in the 40s of the 19th century. Among all the circles, the organization of Butashevich-Petrashevsky attracted special attention. The year 1845 is considered the year of the beginning of her active work on the revolutionary path. It was then that writers, students, teachers, petty officials, and officers began to regularly gather in his house. All of them came from poor noble families. The established society existed until 1849. At the meetings, urgent socio-political issues were discussed, the philosophical foundations of the worldview were developed, and plans for further actions were made. Here, serfdom was openly denounced, characterized as a crying evil of tsarism and the estate system.
Composition of participants
The concept of utopian socialism resonated with the masses. The community expanded, accepting new members. The circle included such outstanding personalities as Dostoevsky, S altykov-Shchedrin, Maikov, Pleshcheev, Semyonov, Rubinstein, Speshnev, Mombelli, Akhsharumov, Kashkin. Present among the members of society and officers. This indicated that the ideas of utopian socialism began to actively penetrate the army.
Practical work
Community members were eager to take action. In 1845, the first issue of the Dictionary was published. It was published by Guards Colonel Kirillov, who could not even think that he was releasing a revolutionary publication. The second edition was published in 1846. The Dictionary reflected the ideology of the new revolutionary organization. It explained various terms: "normal state", "organization of production", etc. The "dictionary" quickly went from hand to hand. However, the government soon drew attention to the publication. Copies have been withdrawn from sale. But up to this point, about 1 thousand pieces were distributed. Belinsky warmly welcomed the appearance of the Dictionary.
Strengthening community activity
Gradually, the Petrashevites began to win revolutionary democratic positions. Community members spoke with sympathy about the problems facing Russia. In particular, Mombelli wrote about the suffering of millions of people, about the lack of any rights among the peasants in the high position of the elite classes. The Petrashevites hated the autocracy, acted as ardent patriots of Russia, constantly pointing out their belonging to the people. After the revolutionary events of 1848, up to 50 people began to attend meetings. An active core began to stand out, an ideological struggle of more revolutionary-minded members against those who occupied a moderate position began to emerge. Calls to action and slogans began to be heard in reports and appeals.
Community members began to think about future plans. Supporters of utopian socialism moved to the forefront. Speshnev became the key figure in this wing. In addition to Petrashevsky, the ideas of socialism were shared by Khanykov, Kashkin, Akhsharumov, and others. The community had a great influence onthe formation of Chernyshevsky's worldview. He was not a member of the society, but he had a close connection with it through his comrades - Khanykov, Lobodovsky.
Police surveillance
Many members of the circle counted on the beginning of a military revolution in the country. They believed that in Russia it was necessary to prepare for a mass uprising. Community members developed a project for a secret printing house, compiled campaign leaflets. Speshnev prepared a draft charter for the community. Everyone was waiting for the rise of the peasant movement. However, they failed to create a revolutionary organization. The king's servants were able to track down the "Fridays" and put the community under surveillance. A police agent entered the meetings of the Petrashevites. He listened to everything that was happening around, and then passed on reports to the government.
In 1849, on April 2, on the orders of Nikolai, the most active members of the circle were arrested. According to the tsar, sympathy for republican and communist ideas was equated with the most serious crime against the state. Among them were Petrashevsky, Dostoevsky, Mombelli, Speshnev. A total of 39 people were arrested. The Supreme Court decided that 21 of them were worthy of death. But, recognizing the circumstances that extenuate the guilt, the instance proposed to replace the execution with hard labor, prison companies and exile to the settlement.
Imitation of execution
Nikolai 1 agreed with the final verdict of the court, but decided to force the convictsexperience the fear of death. On December 22, 1849, all the accused were taken to Semyonovskaya Square. The prisoners saw a high scaffold, pillars dug into the ground, troops lined up in a square, and a crowd of people. After reading the verdict, the convicts were put on robes. Three of them - Petrashevsky, Grigoriev and Mombelli - were tied to poles, their faces were covered with caps. The convicts heard the clatter of guns, drumming. At that moment, the adjutant wing appeared with Nikolai's order for clemency. Petrashevsky was immediately shackled and sent to Siberia for hard labor.
A few days later, the other members of the society were taken away. Among the convicts was Dostoevsky, a famous great writer. He was sentenced to four years of hard labor in a prison castle in Omsk, and then to 6 years of service in a line battalion in Semipalatinsk.
