Discussions about Russian History > Imperial Russian History

Gapon - Who was he? What were the consequences of Bloody Sunday?

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Belochka:

--- Quote from: vladm on March 10, 2007, 10:45:15 PM ---Margarita,
Book was written originally in English, and only in 1925 Russian translated reprint was published in Berlin.
--- End quote ---

Vladm,

I was puzzled as to why Gapon would write his memoirs in London in English, and after some searching I believe I may solved this minor puzzle.

Gapon during May-June, 1905 dictated  his memoirs which originally appeared in translation in the English language. (В мае-июне 1905 продиктовал свои воспоминания, которые первоначально вышли в переводе на английском языке.)

[Ref: http://www.referator.com/books/25/100/8]
 
Margarita  ;)

vladm:
Margarita,
here the timeline for you, I think it will be interesting to examine:
http://cnparm.home.texas.net/Nat/Rus/Rus02.htm

Belochka:
Many thanks for this timeline Vladm!

In very concise terms the timeline illustrates how civil unrest increased after Bloody Sunday.

I disagree that Gapon was that "naïve"  after he became involved in "compromising intrigues". He knew exactly why he went to Switzerland to meet up with Plekhanov and Lenin and he willingly accepted funds from the Japanese government.

Margarita   :)

vladm:
Margarita,
I think, we underestimating Gapon, all together. But the same time, a lot of facts contradict with each other.
Without being spy, he would not be able to move to SPb. Back then, he need an official transfer for that type of move. But for sure, he followed his own agenda. I think he manipulated Secret Police, and Socialist Party for his own benefits. That we could agree on.

Reason, why he went to Geneva, I think he was basically scared, he probably didn't had a blessing from Secret Police, but he was running from them, because events of the January 1905 went out of control.

I have no idea what was in original plan, but he should had an agreement with Secret Police, and demonstration should not exist in the first place. Idea to keep crowd pro monarchist, I think, too simple. If secret police, would have a copy of the petition, prior to demonstration, it would be enough to put everyone who participate in writing, to jail for the long time, and associates would end up in Siberia.

Belochka:

--- Quote from: vladm on March 12, 2007, 07:44:54 PM ---....I think he manipulated Secret Police, and Socialist Party for his own benefits. That we could agree on.
--- End quote ---

Again we agree Vlam!

Semyon Rappoport, a revolutionary wrote about his encounter with Gapon. Rappoport asked him whether he had close relations with Zubatov, to which Gapon allegedly replied: "Never! never! I from the very beginning lead them all by the nose. [водил их всех за нос] Otherwise nothing could have been achieved. On this my entire plan was formed!" Then the conversation centered on the revelation that the revolutionaries in Geneva were fully appraised of his plans.


--- Quote from: vladm on March 12, 2007, 07:44:54 PM ---... Reason, why he went to Geneva, I think he was basically scarred, he probably didn't had a blessing from Secret Police, but he was running from them, because events of the January 1905 went out of control.
--- End quote ---

Gapon fled to Geneva, arriving illegally at the end of January to meet comrades Plekhanov and later Lenin. His pal, Ruttenberg kindly provided the addresses. How he got around the city without any knowledge of French or German is intriguing. Boris Savinkov was also a welcome guest at Plekhanov's apartment that same evening. His journey to my mind had served two purposes: to liase with the socialists and in so doing, to protect himself at a distance away from the claws of the Okhrana.

Gapon's primary objective to reach Geneva was not indicative of a scared man - it was a man with a determined mission.

Whilst in Geneva on 7 February he wrote his call for the workers to bring about an armed revolt against the Emperor. Whilst in the same stirring mood he then penned an extraordinarily rude letter to Nikolai II, refering to his Majesty as «Ты» ("you" in the first person), concluding his letter by informing the Emperor that copies of this letter were also sent to the revolutionary-terrorist organizers inside Russia.

Margarita  :)

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