The Spread of Liberal Ideals to Russia - Myles Anderson

I. The French Revolution sharpened the differences between Russian and western Europe
A. Russia had little national unity and was held together by force
B. The Russian army reached Paris and brought back western ideas to Russia
1. taste for a better life
2. wanted to improve Russia and make it look more like the west
II. Tsar Alexander I originally raised hopes for liberalism but later became more autocratic
A. He granted a constitution in Poland and talked of one in Russia
B. Followed Metternich's reactionary example

The Revolution against Tsarist Autocracy
I. Beginning in the army and Decembrist uprising
A. Officers formed secret societies
B. Open rebellion after Alexander's death

Extract from a Letter of Kakhozsky to General Levashev
I. Nicholas is looking for members of these societies
A. It will not work because they were liberal before they joined the society
B. Most soldiers, even those not in the society, do not oppose it
II. People want a government for the people
A. Although governments resist, they cannot defeat the ideas of freedom