7.3 The era of the Dumas Flashcards
What were the three main bodies that could veto legislation?
- Lower chamber; State Duma
- Upper chamber; State Council
- Government; Council of Ministers under the PM
What power did the LOWER chamber have?
- The State Duma’s members were elected through indirect voting by estates which was heavily weighted in favor of the nobility and peasants (Tsar’s allies)
- Deputies were to be elected for a 5 year-term
What power did the UPPER chamber have?
- The State council was half elected by the Zemstvo and half appointed by the Tsar
- Noble representatives from the major social, religious, educational and financial institutions
What was indirect voting?
Indirect; voters do not choose between candidates for an office, but elect people who then choose. Russia was divided into districts and each elected a delegate to vote in the general election on their behalf
- In Russia every man over 25 could vote
BUT only those with 400+ acres could vote directly
What was the social group weighting in Russian elections early 1900’s?
42% - peasants
31% - landowners
27% - towndwellers
What power did the GOVERNMENT have?
- Council of Ministers under the PM was appointed by the Tsar
- The government was responsible to the crown not the Duma
What were the fundamental laws (1906)?
+ Article 4
Nicholas II issued laws the reaffirmed his autocratic power. Total power from veto, declaring war, dissolution of Duma’s
+ Article 4 ‘it is ordained by God himself that the Tsar’s authority should be submitted to, not only out of fear but out of a genuine sense of duty’
When were the fundamental laws created?
23rd April 1906 - 5 days before the Duma first met
How many duma’s were there between 1905 and 1917?
4
What was the Social Democratic Worker’s part (SD) Mensheviks and Bolsheviks?
- Founded in 1898
- Committed to Marxist
- 1903 split Bolsheviks; led by Lenin; believed in discipline; centralisation; organisation; 1905 onwards favored peasant/proletariat alliance
- Mensheviks; Led by Martov; co-operation with the bourgeoisie/liberals rather than peasants; use of legal channels of opposition
What did the Bolshevik’s believe in? (Leader+4)
Founded in 1903, led by Lenin
- Believed in discipline
- Centralisation
- Organisation
- 1905 onwards favored peasant/proletariat alliance
What did the Mensheviks believe in? (Leader+2)
Founded in 1903, led by Martov
- Co-operation with the bourgeoisie/liberals rather than peasants
- Use of legal channels of opposition
What were the Socialist Revolutionaries? (Founded+Leader+2)
Founded in 1901, led by Chernov
- Favored populist ideas of redistribution of land and nationalisation
- Left of party favored terrorism to achieve aims
What were the Kadets (Constitutional democrats)?
Founded in 1905, led by Milyukov
- Central liberal party
- Constitutional monarchy
- Full civil rights
- Legal settlements of workers’ disputes
What were the Octobrists (Union of October 17)?
Founded in 1905, led by many like Guchkov
- Moderate conservative party that accepted the October manifesto
- Opposed further concessions to workers
- Supported by wealthy landowners and industrialists
What were the electoral results of the SECOND Duma?
National and religious groupings - 93
What were the electoral results of the THIRD Duma?
Octobrists - 154