NIHILISM (from Lat. nil, nothing,from nc, not ± hi/um, trifle, little thing). A term applied to the tenets of the revolutionary wing of the Russian Liberal Party. The term was first used in a novel by Ivan Tnrgenieff„ Fathers and Sons. Originally it was a school of philosophic and ethical individualism which held aloof from political agitation. In the com mon mind Nihilism is associated with assassina tion and revolution, since Russian Nihilists seek to overthrow the present ( flvernment by force. The movement which resulted in the formation of the Nihilistic Party began early in the nine teenth century. As early as ISIS those who aspired for greater freedom in Russia formed an association to further the coinn1011 Welfare. On December 26 ( old style, 14), 1525. occurred the celebrated rising of the Decembrists among the officers and soldiers of the army. which aimed at the emancipation of the serfs and the introduction of constitutional government. The revolt was easily quelled. and six leaders were executed; 125 others were imprisoned or exiled. Toward the middle of the century liberal ideas received an impetus from the study of socialistic writers of other countries. On April 23, 1849. some thirty three men were arrested who belonged to an association forno•d by Pctrasheysky. an official of the Foreign Office. These were sentenced to death. but the sentences were commuted to im prisonment and banishment. There were no further during the reign of Nicho las I.
In 1857 Alexander Hell ref' founded in London his jimrnal, the lio/o/..o/ (Toesin), which hail (minium; influence upon the Russian youth. About this time there arose in Russia itself a literary movement, under the leadership of Tehernishevsky, which eritieised existing soriety and sought to arouse the people. Tchernishev sky's paper was suppressed in 1562, lint later Inc wrote a novel, 111o01 iN to he Itota•/ which had great 1(11111(1(P in popularizing revolutionary ideas. ShapolL writing from the historical point of slew, urged the introduction of self-govern ment and local autonomy. Organizations sprang up in the universities, and mow regulations intro (limed by the Government increased the opposi lion of the students. The secret associations of Saint Petersburg united iu 1863 under the name 'Land and Freedom.' During the decade from 1860 to 1870 true Nihilism was first developed. Its fundamental principle Was absolute individualism, the nega tion of duties imposed by family, State. and religion. An active materialistic propaganda. was maintained. It stood for the rights of women and children, demanding equality of treatment for women, and in this respect it won a decided victory. But this individualism was confronted with misery among the common people which was not removed by the emancipation of the serfs. Economic conditions forced a change of
policy and the development of political agitation. In 1868 Bakunin (q.v.) started a paper at Geneva, and became the leader of the anarchists, who gained control of the movement. Bakunin advocated the total abolition of the State and the substitution of small communes. The min. or village commune (q.v.), had only to be freed from the State to make an ideal basis. The Russian students, forbidden in 1573 to study at Zurich, returned home to take active part in the propaganda. Associations sprang up throughout the land. Many of the aristocrats took part in this movement. The attention of the Govern ment was of vourse attracted, and in 1873 and 1574 some 1500 persons were arrested. .Nlost of these were released after a few months' im prisonment; the rest were confined for three or four years, and in 1577 193 were banished to Siberia. During this same period, and indeed at all times, there existed a more moderate party; lint it did not satisfy the demands of the young men and women, particularly of the universities. which have been a hotbed of political agitation. About 1575 the 'Narodniki' became a prominent and widespread organization. It was under the leadership of the society at Saint Petersburg. The Government now became active, and during 1576 and 1877 the prisons were tilled with propa gandists. The trials of 1877 and 1878 mark the of the first period of revolution. The num ber of persons involved in these trials was about. 3S00.
The attempts to organize the (maple into revolt now ended. The cruelty of the Government led to reprisals. and the Nihilism which began peace fully in the seventies took on another nature. At first spies of the Government were murdered. February 5, 1575, Vera Zassulitch, a young woman of twenty-eight. shot at General TrepolL who had caused a to be whipped for refusing to take off his hat to him. She was tried before a jury of educated men, eight of whom held Government positions, and, to the gen eral surprise, she was 11(1111{1(41. The Govern ment was enraged at this. and the verdiet was :mminu1lvd. August 4, 1575. General INIezentseff was killed in the streets of Saint Petersburg. On February 21, 1879. the Govermir of Khark0V. Prince Krapotkin. was assassinated. and other attempts were made to assassinate hated officials. April 14. 1579, all attempt to assassinate the T;mprriur, Alexander 11.. was made by Solovieff. who was captured and hanged. Two later at Were likewise failures. but the next (Alarch 13, 1551) WaS snecessfnl. (See AT.EN