Central Government Reforms Flashcards
How was Central Government Reformed under Alexander II?
The systems of Government stayed largely the same under Alexander II. In 1861, he introduced the Committee of Ministers, but this was his only real change to central government.
What was the Loris-Melikov Plan?
A plan which envisaged two national legislative commissions including elected representatives, which might have been the first towards a constitutional monarchy. However, on the day Alexander agreed to the plan he was assassinated, and Alexander III scrapped the plan.
How did Central Government change under Alexander III?
It mostly remaind the same, he was a conservative keen to undo his father’s reforms. Upon his succession, many of the reforming ministers, e.g. Melikov, resigned and were replaced with conservatives, e.g. Pobedonostev.
How did central government change under Nicholas II in the first ten years of his reign?
Nicholas had no interest in reform and continued the conservative policies of his father.
4 points
When did the pressure for change begin to strengthen?
- 1905
- The need for change started to be seen during the Russo-Japanese war (1904-5).
- During 1905, there were also assassinations of key political figures and a naval mutiny of the battle ship Potemkin.
- The Bloody Sunday, also happened (Jan 9). This was demonstrators marching on the Winter Palace were massacred by soldiers (200 dead, 800 injured).
How did Nicholas II respond to the events of 1905?
1905 convinced him of the necessity for change. He released the October Manifesto, and followed it with the Fundamental Laws in 1906, creating a new kind of political structure.
3 points
Give evidence that the Fundamental Laws changed central government
- The Council of Ministers - They became the primary law-making and administrative body, providing material for the upper and lower houses to debate. They were chaired by a PM, similar to a western style cabinet.
- The State Council (nominated and elected upper chamber) - acted as a check on the Duma, they had to agree with the Duma before any reform could be passed. Members were either nominated by the Tsar or elected representatives of towns, the church, guilds, universities, Zemstva and the nobility
- The Duma - an assembly of people elected from different social groups who met to debate affairs of state. They could not pass laws but could block proposed legislation.
Give evidence that the Fundamental Laws did not change central Government
- The Tsar - The Tsar still remained an autocrat, the fundamental laws acutally strengthened this position. The Tsar could bypass both the State Council and the Duma (especially since the Fundamental Laws allowed ministers to report to him while the houses were in recess). When the Tsar gave something his stamp of approval, there was nothing the houses could do to undo it.
- The Duma - the election process was long and complicated, and favoured those with property whilst disadvantaging peasants. The Tsar could disband them at any time.
How many Dumas were there?
Between 1906 and 1917, four Dumas were elected, whose composition, duration and impact varied considerably. Duma politicians on the left were largely ignored by the government, and the majority in the lower chamber remained loyal to the principal of autocracy.
How successful was the first Duma, April - July 1906?
Most significant discussion around land distribution. The govt. made a statement that compulsory redistribution was not an option. This angered the first Duma, whose more radical solution quickly gained press coverage. In response, Nicholas II claimed that the actions of the lower chamber were illegal and disbanded it after two months.
How Successful were the 3rd and 4th Dumas?
- The third Duma was filled with people loyal to the crown. Because of this they were able to implement a series of reforms (judicial system was further improved with the reinstatement of justices of the peace and the abolition of land captains), and served thier full term.
- The 4rth Duma was also filled with right-wing politicians. They became infamous for putting pressure on the Tsar to abdicate and then formed the backbone of the provisional government.
3 points
What was the Provisional Government?
- It was established following the abdication of Nicholas II and comprised of members of the 4th Duma.
- It was meant to be an interim government which would go on to hold elections.
- It was committed to Western style freedoms: freedom of speach, amnesty for prisoners, all adults to vote in elections.
3 points
Why did the Provisional Government Fail?
- Lack of Legitimacy - The Provisional Government had no claim to legitimacy; it was unelected, did not represent the people and could not claim to rule via divine right.
- Dual Power - The Provisional Government shared power with the Petrograd Soviet, an elected body of workers’ and soldiers’ representatives. The Soviet was more powerful e.g. it claimed control over the army.
- Policies - The Provisional Government undermined itself through its policies e.g. continuation of the war, an unwillingness to embark on immediate land reform, granting of political freedoms.
3 points
How did Lenin establish control of the Government following the October Revolution?
- 27th October 1917: Other revolutionary groups e.g., the SRs, the Mensheviks, walked out of the Second All Russian Congress of Soviets in protest at the Bolshevik takeover. Left the Bolsheviks with a majority in the body; Lenin could use it to claim a mandate for his policies.
- The Constituent Assembly: Lenin allowed elections to the Constituent Assembly (planned by the Provisional Government). Bolsheviks came second, with 23% of the vote, elections won by the SRs, with 43% of the vote. Lenin shut the body down after one day in January 1918: claimed it was “an expression of the old regime when the authority belonged to the bourgeoise”.
- Parallel: Nicholas II with Lenin shutting down opposition.
3 points
How did Central Government work under Lenin?
- The All Russian Congress of Soviets: Supreme governing body of the country, made up of representatives of the Soviets. Had law making powers and made important decisions on the running of the country e.g. peace, land reform. Elected the Central Executive Committee.
- The Central Executive Committee: Responsible for administration and running of the country. Dominated by a small, elite group of Bolsheviks who decided policy and ran the country and the party. Members included Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin. Usually, Lenin made decisions but was sometimes challenged by others e.g. on peace.
- Sovnarkom (Council of People’s Commissars): Consisted of ministers (commissars) who ran the major government departments e.g. Stalin was in charge of nationalities. Lenin served as chairman (in effect Prime Minister).
3 points
What changes did Stalin make to central Government?
- In 1936 Stalin introduced a new constitution for the Soviet Union, which he described as “the only thoroughly democratic constitution in the world.” Voting was by secret ballot, and all men and women over the age of 18 were allowed to vote.
- The Congress of Soviets was replaced by the Supreme Soviet, constituting of two houses (The Soviet of the Union and the Soviet of Nationalities). It had the sole power to make laws for the whole union.
- The Central Executive Committee was replaced by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet; like the Central Executive Committee, it was responsible for the administration of the country and was dominated by the senior figures in the Communist Party.
4 points
What were the Problems of Stalin’s constitution?
- On paper the constitution was v. democratic e.g. it introduced universal suffrage, abolished the old ‘lishentsy’ system which had banned certain people from voting e.g. priests, business people, capitalists (so called “enemies of the working people”).
- It also guaranteed rights e.g. freedom of speech, freedom of the press, social and economic rights.
- BUT: in reality the Communist Party continued to control all aspects of Russian life; impossible for citizens to exercise their political rights.
The party controlled Russia, Stalin controlled the Party.
How did Kruschev change the structure of central government.
Kruschev did not change the structure of central government.
