Radicalism
Radicalism is the whole process of revolutionizing or transforming the general structure of a country or region politically, socially or religiously. It involves various processes which may include wars against colonialism. The change takes place radically from all sectors. Radicalism is mostly evident in the political sector where most of the countries’ political set up changes completely (Barbara 1975). Radicalism has been witnessed in America and some Far East countries including Russia. Our area of concern in this paper is radicalism in Russia.
Radicalism in Russia created a ripple in historians’ brains and this was due to the way that it occurred. Before 1860, female radicalism was little heard of. Any female was treated as a minor and consideration in any field that contained men was discriminative (Barbara 1975). This contributed to the bold and courageous Russian women coming out and trying to pave a way for female radicalism.
In the book ‘five sisters: Women against the Tsar’ the key players in social and female radicalism are outlined. Among the five outlined key players, Praskovya Ivanovskia still provokes a greater deal of concern in female radicalism. She was strongly supporting social radicalism and was even imprisoned for her efforts .Her work mainly focuses on her fight in the Russian revolution. She is involved in various activities aimed at ending that era of social discrimination against women.
Another woman greatly recognized for her efforts in radicalism in Russia is Vera Figner. She also goes through a similar path as Praskovya since she is also imprisoned. Considering the contents of their two writings, there are several similarities as well as differences
The similarities between the two writings include:
Both were leaders in Russian revolution calling for social radicalism and end of female discrimination.
Both were jailed for their active role against the government of Russia.
They were both exiled into Siberia where each at a later time took some active role in radicalism
Reviewing their differences, Vera was educated and her drive for the radicalism was from within her. She wanted to study medicine but in Russia it was not possible to study that discipline. She was asked by her father to get married something that she accepted. She saved money for her studies and later enrolled into the medicine school at Zurich. Her challenge and opposition in the medical field is what motivated her more into to radicalism. On the side, Praskovya started getting involved in revolution at a very early age. She was still in boarding school when she started engaging in radicalism and before long she made a dramatic appearance during the planning of assassination of Alexandria II. All this time, she was an underground revolutionist but she was betrayed and arrested. She was taken to Siberia but twenty years later, she fled from the prison and continued working in an antigovernment group that published propagandas. She took part in assassination of a Russian minister and making of the bomb that was used in assassination of Alexander II.
Considering the content of their lives and character, it is clear that both of these women had revolutionized minds which brooded ideas that were geared towards radicalism. The evidence of this is the fact that each was self driven and motivated so as to make their dreams a reality. Also, the ladies show a lot of courage by trying to push on even if they are betrayed by the people they work with. This is evident in Vera’s plan to further her education though her father had opposed it. Also, she ventures into a field reserved for men and works hard to eliminate the discrimination. Still on the same point, it clear that the two had iron wills to achieve their set targets. This is evidenced by the way they serve long sentences in jail yet either are released and goes back to revolutionization or escapes from jail and runs back to revolutionization (Barbara 1975).
References
Barbara A, (1975). The Five Sisters: Women Against Tsar. Harper Collins Publishers.
