The Interregnum and the Saint Petersburg Revolt of the Decembrists as Reflected in the Post-Soviet Historiography

The review is devoted to scientific and historical-journalistic works of the late Soviet and post-Soviet periods which formulate the original versions of the events of the Interregnum of 1825 and the revolt of the Decembrists. The elimination of the ideological framework of Soviet studies of the Decembrists emancipated scholarly research and made it possible to put forward previously impossible concepts and hypotheses. On the other hand, the same circumstance contributed to the emergence of conspiracy theories and other quasi-scientific or not at all scientific versions that are not based on the necessary sources, but appeal to a wide range of readers. As a result, modern literature has developed a contradictory variety of conceptual models of different levels and quality claiming to explain the events of 1825. This review offers an experience of understanding the existing range of concepts, versions and hypotheses in post-soviet historiography. It focuses on the main discussion topics: about the circle of contenders to the throne (whether it was limited to Grand Dukes or included the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna); about the position and role of the Governor-General of the capital Miloradovich and the existence of a general opposition or a conspiracy of generals who supported the transfer of the throne to Grand Duke Constantine; about the role of the secret society of the Decembrists and the officer conspiracy initiated by him in the Guards Corps; about other influential political actors (the Russian-American Company, the "German party", etc.) presumably opposing the accession of Grand Duke Nicholas.