Beginning of Life in Siberia
Their Beginning
The sentences of the Decembrists ended after arriving to Petrovsk, but their exile continued through to 1835 – 1837.1 "According to historian D.S. Mirsky, it was this harsh aftermath of the revolt that created the Legend (sic) of the Decembrists.".2 The Decembrists were not allowed to live near the main cities until the end of their hard labor and lived without their wealth, luxury, or title.Life
Life for the Decembrists in exile was complex, and each Decembrist adapted in different ways. Some had support, for example, P.N. Svistunov, who received material and moral assistance from his family. On the other hand, M.N. Glebov, survived without help. P.A. Mukhanov did a lot for the peasants. He engaged in agriculture, the designing of a new church, and sketched a preliminary drawing for a dam, but happens to only be remembered in "Mukhanova pad.", the plot of land he owned during his exile.3Despite the difficulties, many Decembrists learned to appreciate Siberia. In speaking of the Siberians N.V. Basargin wrote: "The further we moved into Siberia, <...> the more she won in my eyes. The common people seemed much freer, more intelligent, even educated than our Russian peasants, and especially the landlords. they [the peasants] more understood the dignity of man, more cherished his rights. Subsequently, I heard more than once from those who visited the United States and lived there, that Siberians have many similarities with Americans in their mores, habits and even lifestyle. ".4 Azadovsky also notes that it was difficult for some Decembrists to appreciate the region they were exiled to. For example, N.M. Muraviov "... cursed Yermak for conquering Siberia, for the exiles, [he] created a channel to their graves." A.E. Rosen responded to him saying: "But this region is not to blame. Did not the northern bands of our <...> provinces also serve as a place of exile? ".5
Research
The Decembrists openness and admiration for Siberia and its population leads them to begin research the region. N.V. Basargin was hopeful of Siberia’s brilliant future. Given that Siberia possesses such vast territory and innumerable resources, she needs a kind people and state to see [her potential].6 The Decembrists started the first literary and scientific studies in Siberia. D.I. Zavalishin stated: "We were the first of the upper-class to come to Siberia, ... they saw [that our] actions were well intentioned instead of ones of violence and extortion of their own wellbeing. Because of us, no one concealed anything ... [they] revealed to us things that the government would have never discovered. That is why we could study this frontier in its fullness >>.7Due to the respect the Decembrists had towards the Siberians, the exiles were given the name "Decembrists". Their lives after their hard labor lead Siberia to education, the arts, and a piece of European culture in Siberia.
1 A. A. Gentes (2002), Roads to oblivion: Siberian exile and the struggle between *state and society in russia, 1593–1917 (Order No. 3050890), Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global, (304804888), 240.
2 K. Turton (2010), Keeping It in the Family: Surviving Political Exile, (1870–1917), Canadian Slavonic Papers / Revue Canadienne Des Slavistes, 52(3/4), 391.
3 T A. Перцева, "Влияние декабристов на формирование культурных традиций в Иркутске: причины, природа, последствия," ИЗВЕСТИЯ Иркутского государственного университета, (Серия «История», 11, 2015): 13-14.
4 M. K. Азадовский (1991), Страницы Истории Декабризма, (Иркутск: Восточно-Сибирское Книжное Издательство), 80.
5 Ibid., 81.
6 Ibid., 94-95.
7 Ibid., 95.
