The first years of reign of Alexander I were marked by a number of major reforms, the most important of which were creation of ministries, the Committee of Ministers, the State Council as well as several liberal measures. The Emperor and his "young friends" spoke of a possible constitution and even emancipation of peasants. In reality, although he modeled the government system after the newest European patterns, the primacy of nobility and bureaucracy persisted on a local level. The Emperor soon came to understand that his principal support - the nobility - did not want any reforms which would seriously change the foundations of the existing system.
During most of the first fifteen years of the 19th century Russia was at war, primarily with France. The war which began with Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812 turned into a great national cause. For the first time in Russian history it was called "Patriotic". The enemy faced not only the regular army but also militia and guerrilla units formed not only by the initiative of commanders but also by peasants themselves.
The victory in the 1812 war with Napoleon and Russia's subsequent leading role in the liberation of Germany and dethronement of Napoleon made Alexander I the leader of European monarchs. The Holy Alliance created on his initiative fought against revolutionary movements throughout the world.
Victory in the war of 1812 aroused hopes for liberal changes in Russian society. The peasants linked their aspirations for emancipation from serfdom with this victory. Educated circles also desired liberalization in all spheres of Russian life. However, their hopes for freedom faded fast. The last decade of the reign of Alexander I was a time of increasing reaction symbolized by the behavior of his favorite Count A.A. Arakcheev. The military settlements established under his guidance were notorious for pettifogging oppression and arbitrariness.
Increasing protests against government policy led to foundation of the first secret revolutionary societies.
Members of these revolutionary societies were later referred to as Decembrists. Their basic program documents were Nikita Muravyov's Constitution and Pavel Pestel's "Russian Truth". Both documents called for emancipation of peasants but on different terms. They were also concerned with the status of non-Russians. Pestel proposed mass migration of Jews from Russia to Palestine with the aim of conquering it from Turkey and establishing there a Jewish state. He did not believe that Jews could peacefully live and enjoy full rights in a renewed Russia.
A short period of interregnum followed the death of Alexander I. The deceased Emperor left no sons and uncertainty about the lawful successor gave occasion for an uprising in St. Petersburg on December 14, 1825. After it was defeated, Nicholas I ascended to the throne.