The nature of Tsarist government and royal power in 1914

Question 1

What are the arguments that autocracy in Russia had been more or less fully re-established?

Answer 1

• The Fundamental Laws (1906)
• Nicholas II and his ministers silenced the Duma in 1906 and 1907
• The rule of law was not present in Russia in 1914, which is characteristically absent in autocratic states - government not subject to law

Question 2

Rather than an a fully autocratic state by 1914, it could be more accurate to describe Russia as a…

Answer 2

largely autocratic state.

Question 3

What are the arguments that Russia had some democratic features?

Answer 3

• The Duma may by 1914, have been reduced to a talking shop but it was an elected national legislative body, something which Russia did not have before 1906
• In 1914, political parties were within limits free to criticise the regime - this had not been the case before 1906
• Relatively free press in 1914