The first secret of the organizations of the future Decembrists was the Salvation Union, organized in early December 1816. The community was originally called in a different way - "The Society of True and Faithful Sons of the Fatherland."
What contributed to the creation of this secret organization? After the return of the Russian army from overseas campaigns, many guards officers realized that they could live better, as they became acquainted with the European political system, with the way of life and their standard of living. This was the impetus for the creation of the Union of Salvation. Who became the founders? As already noted above, the guards officers took the initiative, among whom was A.N. Muravyov, Prince S. Trubetskoy, and the Muravyov brothers. They were members of the Sacred and Semenov artels. In addition to the above persons, Pavel Pestel,
Nikita Muravyov, Major Lunin and Colonel F. Glinka participated in the secret organization Union of Salvation. Initially, the society consisted of about 30 people. Members of the organization set themselves the following tasks:
- establishment of a constitutional system;
- the elimination of autocracy;
- the destruction of serfdom.
However, their plans were not feasible, because the actions and their nature were not clearly defined: some suggested regicide, others - during the coronation, present their conditions to the new king. Thus, a secret organization called the Union of Salvation was not yet ready for action.
On the basis of the first society of the Decembrists, two years later, in 1818, a new secret organization, the Union of Welfare, was created. This society was many times larger than the first and totaled about 200 people. It was the Union of Salvation and the Union of Welfare that played a large role in Russian revolutionary history. The second secret organization of the Decembrists already had its own charter and program. What did its members criticize? Firstly, the autocratic system of Russia; secondly, the arbitrariness of the landlords, serfdom oppression and bribery; thirdly, they reproached power for the hard life of the people. It is not surprising that they used the poems of young Pushkin to express their thoughts of propaganda of views.
The Welfare Union has done a great job. In 1820, several unrest occurred among the soldiers obeying royal authority. Members of the guards regiments, namely, Semenovsky, refused to obey, and without any permission went to the precarious square. Such an excitement broke out in the tsarist army for the first time, so the participants in this kind of rebellion were punished severely as rebels.
However, the performance of the soldiers made it clear to the emperor that discontent in the army was growing, which means that changes are needed. In the same year, the organization decides to fight for republican rule in Russia. Their program and tactics have changed. These changes led to the creation of the Northern and Southern Societies.
The Salvation Union was the very first secret organization of the Decembrists. This society marked the beginning of a period of noble revolutionism. It was the members of the Salvation Union who subsequently became participants in the uprising on Senate Square in St. Petersburg.