В истории развития социал-демократического Zubatovshchina played a very important role in the movement in Russia. What it is? How did she come about? How long existed? These are the three main issues that have influenced the further development of revolutionary sentiments in the then monarchical state.
The concept of “Zubatovshchina” is briefly defined.as an action of the tsarist regime in relation to the working question that arose in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. It was aimed at diverting huge masses of people from the political struggle against monarchical power and transforming this movement into making only economic demands on the government. Where did Zubatovshchina come from, what are they and what are its prerequisites? About this you can learn from our article.
Definition
First you need to understand the verynotion. So, “Zubatovshchina” is a kind of struggle against tsarism in 1901-1903. Strange as it may seem, it was initiated by S.V. Zubatov, head of the security department of the city of Moscow, with the support of official authorities.
In addition, Zubatovshchina is provocative.an attempt by the government of tsarist Russia to divert people from the revolutionary struggle against autocratic politics. People tried to draw into artificially created monarchist workers' organizations.
Also, “Zubatovshchina” is a special form of struggle, with the help of which the Russian Empire tried to suppress the growing influence of the Social Democrats on the working class.
Detection
At the very beginning of the twentieth century, the head of the security departmentthe city of Moscow was a certain Zubatov Sergey Vasilyevich. It was thanks to him that many of the revolutionary organizations existing at that time were discovered and destroyed. In 1896, security officers discovered one of the first social democratic societies, called the Moscow Workers Union, which was created by uniting several political circles.
As a result of ongoing interrogations of arrestedconspirators Zubatov first encountered one unusual phenomenon. The fact is that all detainees could be divided into two groups. One included intellectuals revolutionaries, and the other - simple workers. They all saw what was happening around them in different ways. So, intellectuals realized that they were brought to justice. But the workers could not figure out what exactly they are accused of. They did not see a political background in their actions.
The beginning of the social democratic movement
Special help helped to understand all Zubatovliterature. It can be said that at this moment he first discovered the existence of a social democratic movement. He found out that, starting from 1890, many organizations began to adopt the principles of the German conspirators.
German Social Democrats were able to unite inone political components of the revolution with the economic needs of the workers. Their teaching was that they could only achieve the fulfillment of their requirements through a social revolution. They conducted skillful propaganda in the work environment. The goal of the Social Democrats was to attract as many people as possible from the urban proletariat who would later become a powerful revolutionary army.
Zubatov's idea
Having studied the special literature and realizing the wholethe danger that the principles of social democracy conceal in themselves, the head of the security department understood the main thing: to achieve nothing by repressive measures alone. Zubatov was convinced that this movement could only be weakened if its main component, the working class, was removed. And in order to achieve this goal, it was necessary for the current government itself to go over to the side of the people and support their struggle for economic interests.
Далее записка попала в виде доклада на стол Governor-General of the city of Moscow, who was the Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich. Zubatov liked the idea, and he gave permission to conduct explanatory classes for the workers.
The essence of the idea
While the detainees were being interrogated,Zubatov tried to prove that power in and of itself is not an enemy for them, that even with the monarchical system it is possible to achieve the satisfaction of all its economic requirements. But for this you need to understand the difference between the revolutionary and the labor movements. If in the first case there are ideological interests, then in the second goal is money.
Such an explanation Zubatov had a success. Persuaded by his words, people began campaigning in their midst, and after a while the first petition was made to create a society of workers.
Basic Provisions
Thus, the Russian Empire began to fightwith the social democratic organizations on its territory by the method which later became known as Zubatovshchina. It can be summarized in several points.
● Replacing revolutionary with evolutionary teaching. If the first involves the armed overthrow of power, the second does not accept violence in any of its forms or forms.
● Promotion of all the advantages of autocracy concerning social relations. The main criterion was that the monarchy itself is prone to justice, all violent actions are alien to it.
● A firm belief that self-activityfully ends where the right of power comes into force, i.e., going over this line is unacceptable self-will. All changes in the country must come from the government and exclusively through it.
● Clarification of the existing difference between the revolutionary and professional movements. The first deals with the forcible reform of all classes, and the second only with its vital interests.
Movement development
In the spring of 1901, with the permission of the chief of policeTrepova, a group of Moscow activists created the "Society of mutual assistance of mechanical workers". Zubatov provided them with special brochures. They talked about the professional labor movement.
In addition, in the same year in Moscow beganto lecture for people who enjoyed great popularity. All meetings were held under the supervision of agents Zubatov, who were aware of all the events taking place in the city.
At this time, a special workers' council was created,who received complaints from people, and also defended their interests in cases of any attempts of oppression by manufacturers. Thus, Trepov and Zubatov supported the Council. In addition, they also put pressure on the manufacturers. The result of their work was a strike organized in a silk manufactory that lasted for a whole month.
Такой ошеломительный успех Общества, которое defends the interests of the workers, began to acquire truly legendary features. After this, the Zubatov movement made it virtually impossible for any social democratic propaganda to exist in Moscow.
Elimination of
At first, the activities of the Society were verysuccessful, many workers attended these meetings. But by 1902 the Social Democrats understood the danger that the Zubatov movement conceals in itself. They started a rumor that the Society is just a police trap created for the sole purpose of identifying individuals who are dissatisfied with the monarchical system. Workers who collaborated with Zubatov received the status of enemies, and “Zubatovshchina” - the definition of “provocation”.
The propaganda of the Social Democrats was veryeffective, and the new Society was discredited. Now the professors refused to lecture at meetings, as they were warned that they would be nailed to the pillory if they agreed.
Весной 1903 года начались массовые забастовки на the south of the country, accompanied by political demonstrations. The influence of the Social Democrats began to grow rapidly. In the summer of the same year, a wave of demonstrations reached Odessa. Zubatovs also took part in the unrest.
On the background of ever-increasing strikes and discontentmanufacturers intervention of the authorities in their relations with the workers, the government decided to abandon its policies. As a result, in the summer of 1903, all Zubatov organizations ceased to exist. The initiator of this movement was suspended from work and soon sent to exile.
So what is Zubatovshchina in history?This is the policy of so-called police socialism. Its main goal was to undermine the working-class political movement by creating legal organizations fighting only for achieving economic preferences. And besides, “Zubatovshchina” is just an ostentatious protection of people under the strict control of the police authorities and authorities.
