Who are populists and what their activities?

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ideology populists, which appeared in the Russian Empire in 1860-1910's, stood up for the transition of society to a "just" straight from feudalism to socialism, capitalism jumping.The idea was proposed and developed by Herzen, Bakunin, Belinsky, Chernyshevsky.Against were Marxists.They argued that the emerging system in Russia can only be a capitalist.

Essentially activity populists - a sort of bridge to the revolutionary movement from the nobility (or Decembrists) phase of the Marxist (ie, proletarian).However, the masses are not susceptible to the propaganda of the revolution.And government repression quelled this initiative.However, it left a bright trail that remembers the history of Russia.Who are populists and what they are famous?This article will discuss in detail.

Finding people's truth

Who are the populists in the 19th century?This intelligentsia, commoners, who were looking for their place in society.They are tormented by the thought that they have long been divorced from the people, his wisdom and truth.They said that morally peasants are much higher than their own.Only they are illiterate, live in poverty and suffer from injustice.And we need to get closer to them, to open their eyes and instruct on the right path.This - the duty of the intelligentsia to the people.It is necessary to equalize all social strata and from each take the best.

Also outlook of latter-day defenders of working people based on the belief that Russia - the country of original.The peculiarity of the economy - the national production.Because it has a unique, different from other countries, the path of development.Populists sought to develop its own economic model that would be suitable for both industrialists and ordinary peasants.Herzen, for example, wrote about a purely "Russian socialism".This was the signal for action.

origins of the doctrine

Scientists emphasize a multidisciplinary had a history of Russia.And among many other political movements of particular interest is the question of who the populists and what is the soil that produced this phenomenon.Why is sensible at first glance, initiatives ran into a wall of misunderstanding?

Russia of those years - agrarian, backward.Capitalism is underdeveloped.Life of the peasants managed land commune.Incoming workers it owned a total plot of land.The Company guaranteed them a normal work and family life, ensure equal rights for all, to protect the villagers from the oppression of the big landowners and officials.

it later when the village began social stratification, the community has become a brake on the development of farms.In the meantime, she was a model unit of Russian society and the mentality of the Russian people occupied a special place.For this, and seized on by those who promoted the movement of populists.

Herzen - the forerunner of populism - watched sadly in Europe ended with the revolution of 1848-1849.He lost faith in the European socialism.Comparing his country and the West, he came to the conclusion that socialism in Russia must first take hold.And it's not so difficult.After all, the community in the village - ready cell socialist society.This is the main essence of the answer to the question: who are populists?

equality or justice?

Those who came to the protection of the rights of the disadvantaged, claimed the foundation of society future justice.And it is also understandable.Traditionally, the entire Russian culture is based on it."Do not I demand equality and justice!" - Exclaimed Alyosha Karamazov in Dostoevsky's novel.This topic is constantly in a particular embodiment of sounds in literature and the media's period 1860-1910.Here, a clear vision of who the populists in history, much different from the other revolutionary-minded groups.For Marxists put emphasis on the equality of people.And it did not meet the aspirations of the Russian people.For Marxists it was far removed from the realities of Russian culture.I do not feel it deeply.

Targeting farmers

To better understand who the populists, it is necessary to recall Herzen with his "Russian socialism".He drew attention to the peasants.After an extensive social base!Because the goal - to eliminate the estates of the landowners, free peasants to their plots (without compensation) to enter government.

Chernyshevsky thought that the community first performed the role of a particular form of production, along with the capitalist, and then gradually replace it.

From revolutionary anarchists to

also need to know the types of movement to be clear who the populists.There were three main trends: the revolutionary or radical, liberal, or propaganda, and an anarchist.

Liberals under the leadership of its ideologue P. Lavrov had thought of some special, but not the capitalist path of development of Russia.Yes, they also called for the improvement of the lives of ordinary people.But in what way?Reformed.Their demands - to destroy the remnants of the feudal system, to eliminate the large estates of the landlords and do everything that the Russian did not penetrate "the evils of capitalism."Marxist theory they knew.We read and even translated into Russian all three volumes of "Capital".But for myself considered it unacceptable.

Any terror, violence by them rejected.A leading force in history - the intelligentsia.After all, she knows how to think critically.The peasants are not ready for the revolution.So, first you should prepare propagandists - the intelligentsia.And let the people go, tell.But not in order to gather the masses to revolt immediately.It is a long explanatory work to lead the villagers to the beginning of the revolution.

And what did you do in practice?They had a "theory of small deeds."In general, the methods of populists - a Cultural enlightenment among the population.

In the course were magazines, all kinds of public associations and organizations, and rural council meeting, ie elected bodies of local self-government.

particularly (already in 1880-1890) populists came to mind the so-called theory of small deeds.The newspaper "Week" convinces the reader that the matter of honor intellectuals - help the villagers.They themselves do not overcome the difficulties which have appeared on the elements of a market economy.You can help the farmers participating in the activities Zemstvos.

Press appealed to teachers, agronomists, doctors: "Pass the village and personal work improves the lives of men."The magazine "Russian Wealth" vigorously discussed the problems of the village."Settle down on the ground," Engelhardt called publicist, writer Leo Tolstoy and other famous contemporaries.They were talking about the moral superiority of educated people.

We'll go the other way

radicals, or the revolutionary populists, united in the underground organization.They called themselves followers of Chernyshevsky.Their criterion was one - a quick and ruthless overthrow of the tsar and an immediate transition to socialism.

bright figure among them - Lenin's brother Alexander Ulyanov.He was one of the organizers and leaders of the terrorist faction "People's Will".It Ulyanov Sr. was the program of their struggle against tsarism.

During the year these revolutionary populists created his secret network.This 80 groups.Approximately five hundred activists - in the center and on the ground.In general, I met a detachment of several thousand supporters.Narodnaya Volya was committed five assassination of Alexander II, went down in history as the "liberator" and "great reformer."After all, he abolished serfdom, had financial and other reforms.However, terrorists are hunted hard for him.During the last attempt March 1 1881 the Emperor was fatally wounded.

Interesting fact: Alexander Ulyanov sold his gold medal, which he received for his studies, and with the money bought the explosives for the bomb.

21-year-old terrorist was captured when plotting the assassination of Alexander III and executed.After such a tragic outcome of a young Lenin said, "No, we'll go the other way!ยป

Then in the country was followed by mass arrests of "troublemakers", loud show trials and executions.In just three years (from 1881 till 1884 minutes) repressed ten thousand people.So ceased to exist "Narodnaya Volya".

Rebels blood

Anarchists - the third branch of populism.They not only did not think to patch holes in any state, but did not recognize any of them.P. Kropotkin and Mikhail Bakunin - Russian ideologues of anarchism - convinced that all power suppress, enslave a person.A Russian - a rebellious by vocation, by blood.The peasants are ready for revolution.So the case for small - to organize a national revolt.And he will sweep this state and will not allow the creation of a new one.Every state apparatus by definition already is evil.

Kropotkin spoke of the leading role of the masses.They can reformat the country.One has only to establish the autonomy of the commune and the federation.

more can not be tolerated

What methods are used populists yet?Across the country bred mass of illegal and semi-legal circles.Only some were simply propagandists, others - conspirators.

Student clubs flooded Kharkov, Moscow and other cities.The majority of young people prefer the overthrow of the monarchy by the revolution.The new device - a union of regions.Of course, the federal, which is controlled by an elected assembly.

great influence in the capital to enjoy the "Land and Freedom" - a secret society.Also in St. Petersburg and Moscow working group "People's massacre".Its members are not prepared other than as a "peasant revolution".

penitent nobles

were even circles as "the penitent nobles."Throughout his life, they dedicate to, to make up for the men to age-old guilt for myself and my ancestors.

word, anyway, but wanted to awaken the people of their "socialist instincts."All this has been very popular, new, great.Prose writers and journalists carefully written on these topics.The artists create paintings.So, to cheer it was perceived by Ilya Repin's painting "The arrest of a propagandist."

populism But gradually began to lose its popularity and influence in society.Especially that already raised his head the working class.

It was utopia

Peter Struve, an economist and politician, clearly explaining who the populists.This idealization and natural economy and primitive equality.Just offer obsolete economic structure, which is built into the whole social and political system.In fact it is - the ideology of the intelligentsia, not the people.

In addition, there are similar proposals in agriculture-based countries.And it was during their transition to industrialization.Fans of these ideas intend to develop a model of non-capitalist development and the population gradually adapt to the rules of the modernized economy.But it does not work, because the unreal.

positive footprint

merit populists that their doctrine and operations in many ways helped to consolidate the nation - through the elimination of class distinctions.It was formed preconditions to create a legal space - the same for all sectors of society without exception.

also clearly proved the fallacy of intent to preserve for centuries small farm.The tactics of terror, too, did not produce results.

new generation grows up, ready for self-sacrifice in the struggle with the old regime.