Russia and its rulers-the nature of government-developments in central administration Flashcards
government under the tsars
alexander was left with a central government. from 1855-1905 things stayed the same however. the system worked however due to economic and social change, a number of political group emerged and they wanted a complete overthrow of the system and a more communist way of rule.
pressure for change
the pressure for change started to accelerate during the disastrous Russo-Japanese war. in 1905 there were assassination’s of key political figures and a massacre of a group of workers by state troops known as bloody Sunday. and overall social unrest.
the response to the 1905 events
released the October manifesto which was a blueprint for a new form of elective government that revolved around the duma.
central government institutions pre 1905-the tsar
as an autocrat, the tsar had complete control of policy making and its implementation. all of the organs of central government were accountable to the Tsar
central government institutions-pre 1905-the personal chancellery of his imperial Majesty
consisted of three sections-
-the personal secretariat
-legal advisers
-the secret police
Alexander ii replaced this system in 1861 and replaced it with the council of ministers
central government institutions pre 1905- council of ministers
chaired by the Tsar and consisted of ministers chosen by him. task was to discuss draft legislation. abandoned by Alexander iii in 1882 and its duties were shared among other organs of the government.
central government institutions pre 1905-the imperial council of the state
gave advice to the tsar on legal and financial matters. members were appointed by the tsar and he had no obligation to heed their recommendations. historians have described it as - ‘a retirement home for old government servants’
central government institutions pre 1905-the senate
acted as the supreme court in Russia.
-the final court of appeal on major legal matters
-the promoter of manifestos put together by the tsar
-the adjudicator over disagreements between landowners over boundaries
central government institutions pre 1905-the committee of Ministers
10-13 ministers who each had responsibility for a particular aspect of the administration of Russian affairs. the four main ministers were
-minister of the interior: responsible for domestic affairs , particularly those concerning law and order
-minister of war
-minister of finance
-chief procurator of the holy synod: responsible for religious affairs.
new government structure after 1905- the Tsar
despite the introduction of a democratically elected Duma, the Tsar continued to rule as an autocrat. His position was actually reinforced by the passing of the fundamental laws of 1906
new government structure after 1905-the council of ministers
became the main law making administrative body. chaired by a prime minister, elected by the tsar. consisted of officials similar to those who had served as ministers of the committee of ministers. no laws could be passed without the tsar agreeing.
new government structure after 1905-the state council
to act as a check on the activity of the dumas. (prev the imperial council of the state). they were either nominated by the tsar or as representatives of towns.
new government structure after 1905-the duma
an assembly of people elected from a variety of social groups who would meet to debate the affairs of state.it was not given authority to pass laws it could black proposed legislation. the tsar had the authority to disband the Duma.
new government structure after 1905-the senate
the make-up and role of the Senate were pretty much as they were before the issuing of the fundamental laws.
the first duma- april to july 1906
members participated in debates over matters such as the polish question but the most important was land distribution. government made a statement that compulsory land distribution was not an option. duma did not agree and their more radical option got press coverage and in response Nicholas disband it for 2 months.
the second duma feb to june 1907
greatly effected by Stolypin’s policies. fewer Kadets and labourists, more social democrats, socialist revolutionaries,, octoberists and the far right. stylopin andthe tsar continued to mistrust the duma. social democrat member was framed for attempting to arrange an army mutiny, the tsar proclaimed the Duma were subversive, dissolved it, and overhauled the electoral system
the third duma nov 1907-june1912
consisted of people loyal to the crown, such as wealthy property owners from the countryside and cities. there was a reduction in nationalist members from non-rRussian parts of the empire. but were still affective, made great reforms strengthening the army and the navy.- justice of the peace and abolition of land captains.
polish question
The question as to weather the poles would be allowed self-rule
kadets
the constitutional democrats, a liberal political group founded in 1905
labourists
those who were specifically interested in improving the working conditions of the proletariat.
vyborg manifesto
a set of demands from militant Duma MP’s asking the people of Finland not to pay taxes or serve in the armed forces until the duma was restored
justices of the peace
landowners appointed as officials to maintain law and order at a local level. they worked in conjunction with the police.
