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The Dumas (Dumas 3 and 4: Rigging the Duma (after 1907, the Tsar and…
The Dumas
Constitution of 1906 (Fundamental Laws of 1906)
liberal promises in October Manifest (1905) were withdrawn
Fundamental Laws of 1906 re-asserted the supreme power of the Tsar
'the Emperor of All Russia had supreme autocratic power'
Fundamental Laws:
limited the power of the Duma
Tsar could appoint ministers instead of the Duma
Tsar would conduct foreign affairs instead of the Duma
Tsar could rule by decree when the assembly was not in session
Duma could not pass laws without the consent of the Tsar
Duma 1 (1906)
mainly liberal and centrists (Kadets and Octobrists)
left-wing groups refused to participate
Duma was hostile to the government
made major demands in terms of land reforms and the release of political prisoners
Tsar dissolved it after 73 days
Duma 2 (1097)
more representative
included members from both sides of the political spectrum
extremists began using the Duma for propaganda - rendering sessions loud and unproductive
closed down just after 3 and a half months
Dumas 3 and 4: Rigging the Duma
after 1907, the Tsar and Stolypin had recovered enough from the 1905 revolution
they were prepared to retreat further from the October Manifesto
electoral laws released in 1907
they rigged the electoral system in favour of conservative groups and landowners - at the expense of the industrial workers
3rd Duma: landowners had 50% of the vote, workers had 2%
4th Duma very similar
therefore, these Duma's represented the propertied and middle classes
Nichlas II reluctant to cooperate with the Duma
but they still achieved some successes in terms of social reform
during WWI, Nicholas II refused to let the Duma pursue an active role in the war
led to the Duma plot to overthrow the Tsar
Were the Dumas a Step Forward?
No
Nicholas did not allow a truly representative body to be formed
Nicholas regarded Duma with content and inferior to his rule
Tsar retained supreme autocratic power - he could block all the Duma's proposed policies by the way or the fundamental laws
Russia's middle and upper classes held most of the control over who was in the Duma (electoral laws)
Yes
political parties were established for the first time in Russian history
provided a forum for open political debate
political debate printed in the press
Did the Dumas Strengthen or Weaken Tsarist Autocracy?
Strengthen
helped put the Tsar in a stronger position by meeting demands
provided a location for the political parties to battle each other rather than the Tsar
Nicholas II still had a strong degree of control over the Duma
Weaken
the Dumas still criticised Duma - failure in Tsar-Duma co-operation
Nicholas stubborn to give them power - led to greater hatred towards him