Autocracy and reforms: Political struggle in Russia at the beginning of the 19th century

Based on new archival material, the monograph examines the attempts of the autocracy to reform its foundations (to begin the liberation of serfs and limit the autocracy to constitutional institutions), the struggle around the project and their collapse. The author has shown that, acting in a bureaucratic way, the autocracy failed to carry out the transformations vital for the country. The response to this was the strengthening of the revolutionary movement in the country. The book shows the objective roots of the Decembrist movement, creates vivid historical portraits of Alexander I and major statesmen of the era.