Rebels in the Name of the Tsar

An exploration of the phenomenon of peasant monarchism in 19th century Russia which contributed to the survival of the tsarist regime. Focusing on two case studies - the event of Bezdna in Kazan Province, 1861 and Chigirin district in Kiev Province during the 1870s, the author attempts to show the concrete manifestations of the problem of "naive monarchism" and to illustrate the shape and significance of the phenomenon. The author presents these case studies in the form of primary sources which are translated, interspersed with commentary, information and questions in order that the reader may participate in forming their own conclusions.