ABSTRACT
The so-called “military colonies” of Arakcheev are an institution generally maligned and abused but inadequately studied. In books dealing with the period they are usually identified with the reactionary phase in the rule of Alexander I, in line with his refutation of the liberal program of his younger days and his support of reactionary elements both at home and abroad. And, yet, even if much of the abuse heaped on the military colonies is justified, it seems that the motives behind this vast venture and the basic reasons for its failure have not been justly appraised by most historians. Upon closer investigation there emerges the fact that the settlements were designed as part of a reform movement envisaged by Alexander and that in spirit and program the entire undertaking stood closer to the earlier, more idealistic part of Alexander’s life than to the policy of repression usually identified with the second half of his reign. As such it offers an interesting side light on the mentality of Alexander and his period, and its failure is not devoid of significance for the student of social movements in general.
