Chronology
xiii1564 Ivan IV (“the Terrible”) creates Oprichninato purge the country
of his enemies. Tens of thousands perish in massive purges sustained by
the tsar’s hunt for dissidents.1649 Russian Law Code drafted by court of Tsar Aleksei
Mikhailovich defines criticism of the sovereign as treason. The statute
“To Protect the Sovereign’s Honor” gives government wide latitude to
pursue all religious and political critics.
1699 Petr I (“the Great”) creates the Preobrazhenskiy Prikaz to com-
bat subversion.
1775–1778 Revolt of dissident peasants and Cossacks led by
Emelyan Pugachev shakes the regime; last major peasant revolt before
Revolution of 1905.
1790 Authorities arrest Aleksandr Radishchev for his book Journey
from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Radishchev is initially sentenced to
death but later pardoned.1803 Aleksandr I creates the Committee of General Security to mon-
itor dissent. Though initially interested in the ideals of the enlighten-
ment, Aleksandr refused to consider seriously political reform.
1810 An intelligence branch is founded within the Imperial General
Staff.1825 Decembrists Revolt: dissident officers attempt to unseat
Nicholas I. Revolt is put down by the authorities in St. Petersburg and
in southern Russia. Five of the revolt’s leaders are executed; others are
sentenced to exile in Siberia.
1826 Nicholas I creates Third Section of the Imperial Chancery to
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