Structure of government under the Tsars- pre-1905

Question 1

What was the only significant but temporary structure change under the Tsars?

Answer 1

The Committee of ministers.

Question 2

What gave rise to a more constitutional form of government?

Answer 2

-Emergence of a number of political groups.

Question 3

When did the pressure for change begin under the Tsars?

Answer 3

-During the Russo-Japanese war 1904-1905
-The year of revolution (assassinations, massacre, strikes, naval mutiny).

Question 4

How did Nicholas II respond to the events of 1905?

Answer 4

-Released the October Manifesto.

Question 5

What did the October manifesto under Nicholas II confirm?

Answer 5

-A more representative form of the government would be established.
-DUMA + FUNDAMENTAL LAWS.

Question 6

What did the central government institution look like between 1855 and 1905?

Answer 6

-Tsar (the top and everyone else in no particular order)
-The council of ministers- axed by alex 3
-the personal chancery of his imperial majesty. -axed by alex 2
-The imperial council of the state
-The senate
-The Committee of ministers.

Question 7

What was the personal chancery of his imperial majesty?

Answer 7

-personal secretaries of the tsar
-legal advisers
-secret police
-REPLACED BY COUNCIL OF MINISTERS (ALEX II)

Question 8

What was the senate?

Answer 8

-Russia’s supreme court.
-Highest judicial branch
-Would confirm the titles of the nobility.

Question 9

What was the imperial council of the state?

Answer 9

-Advise the Tsar on finance and law
-Usually retired people from government giving their advice.

Question 10

What was the council of ministers?

Answer 10

-chaired and nominated by Tsars.
-discuss draft legislation and whether it should go to committee of ministers to discuss.
-SCRAPPED BY ALEX III and responsibilities ‘shared’

Question 11

What was the committee of ministers?

Answer 11

-initially 13 ministers that had a responsibility for something different.
-each ministry connected to very specific departments.

Question 12

Which government institutions still around post- Alexander III?

Answer 12

-Senate
-imperial council of the state
-the committee of ministers.

Question 13

What institution did Alexander III scrap?

Answer 13

The council of ministers.

Question 14

What institution did Alexander II scrap?

Answer 14

The personally chancellery of his imperial majesty.

Question 15

Under the council of ministers what were the 4 most important ministerial posts?

Answer 15

-minister for the interior
-minister for war
-minister of finance
-the chief procurator of the holy Synod.

Question 16

What was the issue with the council of ministers?

Answer 16

-ministers had an administrative not policy making role
-didn’t consult each other and persuaded conflicting policies. (minister of finance wants cuts, everyone else wants to spend).
-SCRAPPED IN 1906.