Pugachev's Rebellion: rebellion or civil war?

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uprising led by Pugachev 1773-1775 year is the large-scale peasant uprising in Russia's history.Some scientists call it ordinary people's revolt, the other - a veritable civil war.We can say that the rebellion of Pugachev looked differently at different stages, as evidenced issued manifestos and decrees.And no wonder, because with the passage of time has changed the composition of the participants, and thus the goal.

Initially Pugachev uprising was aimed at restoring the privileges of the Cossacks.The peasants who participated in it, demanding for themselves freedom from landlords.Already in 1774 came the July Manifesto, which focuses on just the peasants who were supposed to be exempt from all taxes and plots of land.Nobles proclaimed chief disturbers of the empire.It was at this time the rebellion of Pugachev becomes bright antiserfdom and anti-state character, but it still lacks any meaningful content, so many historians and call it an ordinary riot.

Pugachev declared himself resurrected tsar Peter III and the Cossacks called to his service.He managed to gather an army, which, by its combat capability could easily compete with the government.Starting September 17 with performances of Cossack units, the uprising spread to the huge size of the territory: the Urals, the Lower and Middle Volga region and the Orenburg region.After a short period of time to decide to join the Cossacks and Bashkirs, Tatars, Kazakhs.Of course, factory workers and peasants from the landlords provinces in which there were military action, usually met with joy Pugacheva and joined his army.After the seizure of factories in the Urals Army rebels moved to Kazan, but was defeated troops Michelson.It seemed that Pugachev uprising was over, but in fact everything went very wrong.Replenish their forces on the right bank of the Volga, Pugachev turned south in the hope to raise the Don Cossacks.But those plans went awry, and the revolt of Pugachev was finally put down by troops Michelson.In January 1775 the assailant was executed in Moscow.In his last hours Pugachev, according to eyewitnesses, had behaved with courage and dignity.

For the 1773-1775 year, there were many peasant revolts.For disobedience severely punished peasants landowners, but unrest continued.For their suppression of the government created a special punitive expedition, which had been given the power to judge and punish the peasants at their own discretion.Especially different measures to eradicate brutality riots Count Panin, who ordered the hanging of every three hundred people.It should be noted that without his rasporyazhny blood flowed like water, and are often beaten with whips and right, and blame.Only with the help of cruelty Pugachev uprising was suppressed, and the abolition of serfdom in Russia managed to delay for nearly 100 years.