22. The Imposter Who Claimed to be Russia’s Dead Tsar
Posing as “Tsar Peter”, Pugachev promised to repeal unpopular poll taxes and forced labor. Thousands flocked to his side, and before long, he had gathered a large army of Cossacks, peasants, and non-Russians. In their first battle in 1773, Pugachev’s rebels defeated a Tsarist army sent to disperse them. They then advanced into Russia’s heartland, promising the masses an end to oppression. The rebels formed an alternate government that emphasized freedom from the nobility. Yemelyan Pugachev, as “Tsar Peter”, held court to punish abusive landlords and officials who fell into rebel hands.
The rebellion gathered momentum and grew, and at its height, the rebels controlled vast tracts of Russia. However, in April, 1774, the rebels suffered a defeat, and their leader fled to the southern Urals. There, Pugachev revived the revolt by raising a new army and returning to the fight. The rebels fought a series of battles on the Steppe, particularly around the city of Kazan, which was put to the torch. After further defeats, the rebels were forced back to the Volga River, where they were decisively defeated. Pugachev was then betrayed by the authorities, and the Cossack Rebellion ended with the capture of its leader. He was executed on January 21st, 1775, as a warning against future unrest.
