In October of 1612 Russia's volunteer corps led by Prince Dmitri Pozharsky and a merchant Kuzma Minin dislodged the Polish invaders from Moscow, putting an end to the time of unrest. This victory was preceded by the following events.
In the early 17th century public unrest began in Russia as a result of struggle for power and interference on the part of foreign states. In 1610 Tsar Vassily Shuisky lost the remnants of his prestige and public trust, and, under pressure brought to bear by the nobility, had to abdicate. Seven noblemen came to power. However such a government could not last long. The unrest kindled by the impostors who claimed the throne in Moscow scared the Russian nobility who, seeing no other way out, decided to invite the 15-year-old son of the Polish King Sigismund to rule the country on condition that he embrace the Russian Orthodox faith. However the King of Poland had other plans. He intended to ascend Russia’s throne himself. In the meantime in September of 1610 Polish troops entered Moscow with the local nobility's consent.
The talks with the Poles went on and on: Wladislaus neither came to Moscow nor embraced the Russian Orthodox faith. The presence of Polish troops gave rise to discontent among the population. The people of Russia began to realize that the Poles pursued their own goals – seize power in the country, and do nothing to establish law and order in the Russian people's interests. And then Moscow sent messages to other Russian cities, urging them to unite against the common enemy. The messages said: "Seeing civil strife amid Orthodox Christians, the Poles came here, shed a lot of blood, ruined churches and monasteries, desecrated holy places; they want us to embrace Catholicism. We urge you to join us and work together to prevent our Orthodox faith from being abused."
The first to challenge the Polish invaders was Patriarch Hermogenes. He urged the people of Russia to unite and drive the enemy out of their country. The Poles threatened to kill him unless he stopped inciting the people. But Hermogenes, a man of high moral standards, persisted in promoting his cause, and so the Poles locked him up in a monastery where he starved to death.
But the Patriarch's voice was heeded. Patriotic sentiments swept the nation. The patriotic movement centred in the city of Nizhni Novgorod, one of whose dignitaries, merchant Kuzma Minin, led it. A man of striking personality, Minin was a good organizer. At that time everyone understood that it was necessary to save the country, and he showed how to do it. Having gathered a popular assembly, he addressed the citizens: "Our land is devastated; our people are captured and flogged. God preserved our city to enable it to save other Russian cities. Can we sit in calm and prosperity? The enemy will come here too to burn and kill. So let us gather an army! Let us divide our property into three parts, give two-thirds to our army, leaving one-third to ourselves." Kuzma produced his own money with his wife's jewellery. His example was followed by other merchants of Nizhni Novgorod. That money was spent on enlisting a corps of volunteers. Prince Dmitri Pozharsky who was known as a man of honour was appointed to lead it. During the time of unrest he, unlike other high-born dignitaries, had not betrayed national interests.
Having learned that the volunteers led by Minin and Pozharsky were on the approaches to Moscow, the Poles took shelter behind the Kremlin walls. Fierce fighting followed, and the volunteers dislodged the enemy from the Kremlin and then from Moscow itself. This happened on October 22, 1612. Subsequently Prince Pozharsky sent messages to other Russian cities, urging them to present ten persons from each city to elect a new tsar. The time of unrest in Russia was almost over.
Please rate: