Overview of the impact of Stolypin's electoral reforms and conclusions about the 3rd and 4th Dumas

Question 1

How did Stolypin’s electoral reform between the second and third Duma vastly over-represent the aristocracy and middle class?

Answer 1

• The wealthiest 1% controlled 66% of seats
• Peasant and worker representation cut in half
• Non-Russian groups cut from 94 to 11 representatives

Question 2

What did Stolypin’s electoral reforms produce as a result?

Answer 2

Reliably conservative Dumas that did not demand major reforms and broadly supported the government.

Question 3

What did the Third Duma become known as?

Answer 3

The ‘Stolypin Duma’ or the ‘Duma of the Lords and Lackeys’

Question 4

Both the third and fourth Dumas lasted…

Answer 4

the full 5 year terms stated in the Fundamental Laws

Question 5

What was the significance of Stolypin’s electoral reforms? (3)

Answer 5

1 - Opponents of this reform were weak - a repeat of the Vyborg tactic came to nothing as the political parties only had shallow support
2 - Despite the anti-democratic nature of the reform it was not a return to autocracy - this showed the governments either unwillingness or inability to reimpose authority
3 - Government or Tsar still unable to control the election results and did not have an official government party as they feared it may not gain control

Question 6

How did Stolypin take the Dumas seriously and seek to work with them?

Answer 6

• He allowed them to debate before the passing of his reforms
• He appeared to abandon attempts to return to autocratic style
• While still in the pocket of the government it did represent Russia with a workable constitutional monarchy