In 1816, at the initiative of Alexander Muravyov [ru], a group of young officers of the Russian army founded the Union of Salvation (UoS).

The UoS aimed at the abolition of serfdom and at the introduction of constitutional monarchy by means of armed revolt at the time of next emperor's succession to the throne.

While preparing for the seizure of power, the UoS members had to try and expand the society's influence, secure key military and civil posts in government structures, and form public opinion.

UoS members came up with a number of regicide projects, but they were turned down due to the lack of funding and society's general unpreparedness for decisive action.

They first created a transitional organization called Military Society ("Военное общество", or Voyennoye obshchestvo) and then in 1818 – the Union of Prosperity (Russian: Союз благоденствия, romanized: Soyuz blagodenstviya).