Change and continuity in government Flashcards
Following the 1905 Revolution, the Tsar was forced to…
embrace some limited reform.
What did the Tsar do in April 1906?
Attempt to reassert his authority by promulgating the Fundamental Laws - a new constitution - which re-emphasised the autocratic nature of Russian government.
Why was the Tsar in a stronger position in April 1906 than in October 1905?
- His opponents were divided
- The workers had been crushed
What powers did the Fundamental Laws give to the Tsar?
1 - Article 4 stated that the Tsar had absolute, God-given autocratic power
2 - The Tsar retained sole authority over command of the army and dealings with foreign nations
3 - Article 87 set out the nature of the Tsar’s relationship with the new Duma. The Tsar retained ‘supreme sovereign power’ - Nicholas could make laws without consultation with the Duma - the Duma was given the right to ratify to Tsar’s laws
4 - The Tsar was given the right to dissolve the Duma and call new elections at any time
How did the 1906 constitution alter the nature of Russian government?
1 - Created a bicameral Duma
2 - Lower house was elected by an electorate made up of most male Russians
3 - Upper house, known as the ‘Council of State’, was partially appointed by the Tsar. Other half appointed by institutions such as the Orthodox Church
4 - Upper house had the right to veto laws proposed by the lower house
5 - It guaranteed individuals rights to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of conscience, the right to form political parties and unions, as well as freedom of the press
Why did the 1906 constitution fail to satisfy liberals?
- The limited powers of the Duma did not fulfil the demands of liberals as the elected lower house didn’t have ultimate law-making power
- Liberals recognised that the promise of individual rights was largely meaningless
Why did the 1906 constitution fail to satisfy socialists?
- They argued that it failed to address Russia’s underlying problems
- The SRs argued that it did nothing to satisfy the peasants’ desire for land
- Lenin argued that they wouldn’t limit the oppression of the working class
What was the make up of the First Duma, and when was it elected?
Elected in 1906:
- Largely conservative Octoberists
- Liberal Kadets
- Troudoviks
Which parties boycotted the election for the first Duma?
- SRs
- RSDLP
Who are Octoberists?
Name given to those Russian politicians who had supported the introduction of the October Manifesto after the 1905 Russian Revolution.
Who are Troudoviks?
A group of moderate socialists who stood for election to the Duma.
What radical demands did the first Duma make, when elected?
1 - Creation of universal suffrage
2 - Land reform
3 - Freedom for political prisoners
How long did the First Duma last, before the Tsar dissolved it? Why?
73 days - because they were making too many radical demands.
Where did radicals from the First Duma flee to? Why?
The Finnish town of Vyborg - Kadets assumed that they would be safe from persecution while in Finland as the Tsar had promised to respect the traditional rights of the Finns.
What is ‘the Vyborg Manifesto’?
An open letter, issued by radical Kadets, which called on the Russian people to refuse to pay tax until the Duma was re-established.
