An unfortunate family dispute between Nicholas (on the right) and his older brother Konstantin (on the left) over who should be the next ruler of Russia after the death of their brother, Alexander I, provided Russian radicals with the opportunity to stage a badly-planned revolt in 1825.

• Read the textbook pages 298-300
• Check the remarks by Professor Blois and Professor Evans on the Decembrists
• Study the Questions to Consider and the Key Terms for the week
• Submit the Decembrists paragraph

• Post or respond in the Blackboard online discussion forum

• Read the notes by Professor Hammond on the state of "Russia in 1825" and then his lengthy remarks on the Decembrists--These are very good. (*.pdf files)
• Read chapter 21 from Mary Platt Parmele (1843-1911) A Short History of Russia (1907, 4th edition).  This is optional reading.

• For 50 points maximum extra credit, read Anatole Mazour, The First Russian Revolution, 1825: The Decembrist Movement, Its Origins, Development, and Significance (1961) and write a one-page paper explaining the roots of the Decembrist societies (and their differences).
• For 50 points maximum extra credit, read Patrick O'Meara, The Decembrist Pavel Pestel: Russia's First Republican (2003) and write a one-page paper in which you explain the main ideas of Pestel to reform Russia.