100 years after Napoleon - Russia's celebrated experience of war

This article shows how the Patriotic War of 1812 was commemorated and transformed 100 years later, in 1912. The centenary was initiated and organized by tsarist officials and was commemorated by obligatory celebrations nationwide. The main purpose was to improve the image of the tsarist regime in the eyes of the population after the revolution of 1905/6. The celebrations were conducted in a very traditional manner with military and children's parades, church processions and church masses for the heroes of the war. All events were strictly controlled by the police and Okhrana. The streets were decorated in the old empire style of the Napoleonic era. The imperial symbols of tsarism also dominated newly erected monuments, a centenary exhibition and theater productions. But many artists were not interested in this visual concept, and the critics also refused to cooperate with the imperial officials responsible for the control of the arts and culture. This "alternative" centenary was promoted by the media of popular culture: private theaters, cabaret shows, the film industry and clever businessmen. Not Tsar Alexander, but Napoleon was their main protagonist, and the cruel war against the French merely served as a subject for entertainment. The war had happened too long ago to provoke sincere acts of mourning for the dead or instill authentic patriotic pride. Moreover, the former enemies of 1812-Russia and France-had, by 1912, become commercial and military allies. So the regime's official centenary, as presented by the military and the church, partially failed to hold up the old imperial order against the democratic movement within Russian society. The Tsar had not only the revolution of 1905/6, but also the lost war of 1904/5 in mind when, in his centenary manifesto, he subordinated the Russian military efforts of 1812 to the decisive role of the people in defending the country against Napoleon. By harking back to the past war-time experience of their Russian ancestors, Nicholas II was attempting to instill in his people a new loyalty for an anticipated future conflict. But 100 yeats after the fact, that experience could no longer contribute to a new bond between the monarch and the Russian people.