Dumas

Question 1

Fundamental Laws
23rd April 1906

Answer 1

Reasserted autocratic power & rights to:
> Veto legislation
> Dissolve Duma
> Command Russia’s army & navy
> Overturn court verdicts
> Direct foreign relations & declare
> Rule by decree in an emergency/when Duma not in session

Question 2

First Duma
May-July 1906

Answer 2

> Boycotted by Bolsheviks, SRs & extreme right
Mostly radical-liberal; a 1/3rd peasant
Requested radical reforms; when refused, passed “vote of no confidence”
Dissolved July, Stolypin became PM
Sent 200 delegates to Vyborg & tried to organise protest. Failed & leaders imprisoned

Question 3

Second Duma
Feb-June 1907

Answer 3

> More left-wing, because Bolsheviks, Mensheviks & SRs participated
Opposed the gov
Dissolved after refusing to support Stolypin’s agrarian reform, some delegates arrested & exiled
Changes in composition when Stolypin (illegally) increased the representation of the gentry

Question 4

Third Duma
Nov 1907 - June 1912

Answer 4

> Agreed to majority of gov proposals but disputed some reforms
Suspended twice in 1911

Question 5

Fourth Duma
Nov 1912-1917

Answer 5

> Largely ignored by the gov

Question 6

Recovery of Autocracy by 1914

Answer 6

> Stolypin had ruthlessly restored order in countryside
Reform of agriculture improved situation
Dumas’ influence was almost non-existent
Revolutionary groups had been weakened, due to repression & own arguments
Patriotism revived

Question 7

Remaining Problems by 1914

Answer 7

> Labour troubles resurfaced 1912
Influence of Rasputin damaged Nicholas’ reputation

Question 8

Nicholas II

Answer 8

> Believed in God-given right to rule
Tutored by Pobedonostsev
Aimed to maintain autocracy, continue Russification & suppress demands for reform

Question 9

Demands for Change & Gov Reaction

Answer 9

1894+ serious unrest:
> Support for reform broadened due to gov failure to deal with 1891-2 famine
> Trouble’s in unis crushed by Okhrana
> 1902-7 widespread disturbances in towns & country, suppressed by Stolypin
> Industrial strikes escalated
> 1904 Father Gapon formed an officially approved trade union, “The Assembly of St Petersburg Factory Workers”

Question 10

Russo-Japanese War
Jan 1904

Answer 10

> Japanese attacked Russian naval base at Port Arthur
Plehve (Min of Internal Affairs 1902-4) encouraged Tsar to act to divert attention at home
Initial burst of Patriotism, but defeats led to increased opposition
June 1905 Potemkin Mutiny
Aug 1905 Treaty of Portsmouth

Question 11

Actions of Opposition Following Russo-Japanese War

Answer 11

> July 1904 Plehve assassinated
Nov 1904 renewed calls for Duma
Mirsky (Min of Internal Affairs) invited zemstvo representatives for discussion, but Nicholas II only agreed to expansion of zemstvo’s rights

Question 12

Bloody Sunday
Jan 1905

Answer 12

> Father Gapon led peaceful march to Winter Palace to petition Tsar for reform
Broken up by military force

Question 13

Actions of Opposition Following Bloody Sunday

Answer 13

> Sept 1905 Zemstvo Conference = Duma elected by universal suffrage
Oct 1905 St Petersburg Soviet set up
Tsar signed “October Manifesto”
Unrest repressed & leaders of St P. Soviet exiled to Siberia

Question 14

New Constitution Following October Manifesto

Answer 14

> Two Houses had equal legislative power & all legislation had to be Tsar approved
Lower Chamber (State Duma):
Deputies elected through indirect voting (in favour of nobles & peasants)
Deputies elected for 5 years
Upper Chamber (State Council):
Deputies 1/2 zemstvo elected, 1/2 Tsar
Reps of nobility from major institutions
Gov (Council of Ministers under PM):
Tsar appointed &responsible to crown