Vera Figner was born in Khristoforovka, Russia in July of 1852. She is most widely known for her actions and leadership role in the Russian Revolutionary Populist Movement. Figner had hopes to pursue education in medicine, but Russia would not allow her to do so. She then moved to Zurich in 1872 to attend school. While she was in school, she kept a close eye on the feminist and populist movements that were going on back in Russia. In 1876, Figner dropped out of school to return home and join the revolutionary movements. Figner joined a group called, "People's Will," and this group focused on eliminating absolutism by assassinating political officials. On March 1, 1881, they did just that, by taking out Tsar Alexander II. Many arrests followed the assassination, leaving Figner as the only remaining original leader of the group.Figner was later arrested in 1883 while trying to rebuild the People's Will group. A trial was held in the September of 1884 and Figner was the only arrested member allowed to speak during the trial. In her speech, Figner talks about the events that pushed her towards revolutionary activities, "They are logically and closely bound up with my whole previous life" (Moodle). She focuses heavily on the thought of whether her life could have gone any other way and every time ends with the same answer, no. The speech that was given in front of the court proves the dedication and devotion Figner had towards the cause and her actions. This shows a true revolutionist who will stand for their beliefs until the last minute. Figner initially received the death penalty, but that sentence was later dropped to life in prison at the Schlusselberg Fortress. After serving twenty years, she was released in 1904.
Vera Figner was a voice for the less fortunate and aimed to help and educate the poor. She wished to break the false truth that so many peasants believed: that the tsar was their protector. In 1915 when she returned to Russia, she dedicated the rest of her life to writing and produced many accounts on the Russian Revolution and biographies on several of her comrades. These published works along with her memoir, are the reasons the name Vera Figner is taught in history classes today.
Sources:
Moodle Document: "Vera Figner - Revolutionary Activities in Russia.pdf (page 1 - 13)
"Vera Finger." Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn, New York. https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/eascfa/dinner_party/heritage_floor/vera_figner
"Vera Nikolayevna Figner." The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. 2019. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vera-Nikolayevna-Figner
I find it really interesting that a woman over a man made such a huge movement. It is inspiring that she stuck to her beliefs through everything. I do wonder why the death penalty was lifted and she was released early from prison. Also, after her release do you think she still faced problems when trying to educate people?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Marlea in how she said that a woman had such a huge movement. I find it really interesting that she joined the group, "People's Will", and was apart of assassinating political officials. It's really interesting what women were capable of during this time. Also, it is weird that she received the death penalty and then it was lifted.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that Lenin coming into power had anything to do with a lightening of her sentence? She actually had good fortune in that timing wise 1917 Revolution was key. She was held up as a popular speaker afterwards, and her memoir was published. She also was able to survive Stalin's brutal purges.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed how you mentioned that she wanted to go into medicine. She originally wanted to help people in a large way but she was not able to. It is really interesting how she turned that passion for helping people and put it into the “People’s Will” and was still able to help people.
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