Structure of government under the later Tsars- Post 1905 Flashcards
What did the structure of government look like post 1905?
- Tsar
2.The Council of ministers
3.The State Council
4.The Duma
5.The senate
What caused this structure change?
The fundamental laws.
What happened to the role of the senate?
-Stayed the same.
What was the Duma? (the elected lower chamber)
-assembly of people elected from different social groups- debate.
-no authority to pass laws but could block legislation
What was the state council? (nominated and elected upper chamber)
-check the activity of Dumas.
-had to agree with Duma for suggestions to go to the Tsar.
Who chose the people ‘elected’ for the state council?
-Tsars, elected reps of towns, church, uni’s, Zemstvos, nobility.
What happened to the role of the council of ministers?
-became the law making and administrative body
-chaired by PM (witte at start) and cabinet.
-made up of those who served in the committee of ministers.
-provided materials for upper and lower chambers to debate
What was the problem with the election process in the Duma? (although not necessarily always true).
-it was made deliberately complex.
-discriminated against workers and peasants.
What was the election process in the Duma?
-‘voting for others’ who would then choose representatives from political parties to sit in the chambers. (EC)
What did the Tsar have the power to do in terms of the Duma?
-shut it down at will.
What years did Nicholas shut down the duma’s?
-1906
-1907
-1917.
What should have been happening in terms of the council of ministers which was not?
-discussions should have been reported to Tsar.
-Ministers were just going to the Tsar directly because of the fundamental laws.
When was the first duma?
April-July 1906
When was the second duma?
February- June 1907
When was the third duma?
November 1907- June 1912
When was the fourth duma?
November 1912- February 1917
Main points of debate in the first duma?
-The Polish question
-Land distribution
Why did the first duma get disbanded?
-Government issued a statement saying compulsory redistribution not an option which angered duma.
-Nicholas claimed actions illegal and disbanded it.
What happened in between the first and second duma?
-Harsher trials and imprisonment of dissidents
-imprisonment of Kadet and Labourist party members who signed the Vyborg manifesto.
-Stolypin- harsh trial system and ‘necktie’
Main points of debate of the second Duma?
-land distribution
-management of the Russian army
Why did the second Duma get disbanded?
-A SD member accused of trying to arrange army mutiny
Main points of debate in the third duma?
-reforms to strengthen army +navy
-justice system reforms- JPs and no land captains.
What happened at the end of third duma?
-Stolypin tried to destable by manipulating article 87 (autocracy)
-Failed and served full term.
Main points of debate in the fourth duma?
-repression of civil disorder
-pressure on Tsar to abdicate
What brutal act of repression occurred during the fourth duma?
-The state police killing striking members of Lena Goldfield strikes in 1912.
-liberal members outraged.
Why did the fourth duma get disbanded?
-progressive block of duma demanded they get put in charge of war effort
-Nicholas disbanded and took personal control of the army.
Composition of first duma?
-more radical- Trudovicks and Kadets
Composition of second duma?
-Heavily influenced by Stolypin
-more far rights
Composition of third duma?
-mainly people loyal to the crown
-wealthy landowners
Composition of fourth duma?
-dominated by politicians from the far right.
