Thesis: Kakhovsky,a member of the Decembrist revolutionaries in Russia, makes the argument in a letter to a Russian general that no matter how hard you fight to keep the people ignorant and enslaved, if they have already received impressions of freedom, oppression will never succeed.
1. Russian officers, once they had returned from conquering France at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, brought back with them the ideals of the French Revolution and the experience of the good life in Western Europe. They believed their own country was lacking vitality and freedom
2. Alexander had held out hope of a Russian constitution and an end to serfdom
3. But Alexander instead strengthened his autocratic rule
4. Westernized officers formed secret societies and engaged in conspiracy
5. In December 1824, following Alexander's death, some Russian officers and soldiers openly rebelled but failed.
6. The government's attempt to root out the members of the secret society will be futile
7. Thousands of young men now agree with Kakhovsky's opinions and long for freedom
8. The people have conceived a truth: they do not exist for governments, but that governments are organized for them.
9. Efforts to drive the people back once they have experienced freedom and enlightenment, will never triumph.
10. They are unable to live like slaves and barbarians like their ancestors.
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