The end of Romanov rule 1906-1917 Terms

Duma

This was an elected body of representatives that was promised power to hold government officials responsible for their actions and new laws could only come into force with its approval

Fundamental laws

These, reinstated in 1906, made the tsar supreme autocrat as well as power to close the Duma, call elections and create laws

bi-cameral system

a split governmental structure with the Duma, a council of elected representatives, and the imperial council, members selected by the tsar.

Tsar’s power

In 1905, Nicholas promised that this would be limited but Article 4 of the fundamental laws gave him primacy in government and article 87 allowed him to make laws without the Duma’s approval

Duma’s power

This was promised by the Tsar and the Duma could censure ministers however the Tsar alone had the power to call and dismiss ministers, laws could be made by the Tsar alone and the imperial council could veto laws put forward by the Duma.

Elected body of representatives

This was promised and the Duma was democratic however there was no mention of the bi-cameral structure nor the imperial council

Extension of voting rights

This was promised yet in March 1906 only men over 25 could vote then later it was limited further to the propertied classes. Additionally half of the government was unelected

Basic freedoms

This promise was granted by the Tsar yet there was nothing preventing their restriction and they could be suspended in emergencies

Vyborg appeal

Upon the disbandment of the first Duma, 200 Kadet and labourist deputies met in Finland to issue this appeal urging the people to defy the government mainly by refusing to pay taxes and refusing conscription. Instead of passive resistance, there was scattered violence prompting governmental retalliation. the deputies were detained and debarred from re-election

First Duma

This was dominated by Kadets and labourists who pushed for the release of political prisoners and radical land reforms. They were only given a greenhouse and laundry to discuss, the fundamental laws were issued and it was dissolved after 72 days resulting in the Vyborg appeal

Second Duma

This was also knows as the Duma of the people’s wrath as, dominated by Kadets and labourists, it was hostile against the government, organised a string attack on the organisation and deployment of the imperial army, and opposed land reforms. Nicholas II dissolves it after 6 months as a result

Third Duma

Also known as Stolypin’s duma, this was dominated by right-wing parties making it more cooperative. It allowed Stolypin to progress land reforms, questioned ministers and discussed state finance, made proposals for the army, and began some social reform (schools for poor children + national insurance for industrial workers)

Fourth Duma

This was more likely to question the government than Stolypin’s duma but less obstructive than the others. it provided the beginnings of state welfare and wanted clarification on the role of the Duma. It dissolved itself with the start of WWI

Stolypin

An aristocrat who was made prime minister, declared a state if emergency and began repressive measures. groups of 5 officers patrolled who could arrest, detain and punish at will. Atthis time, trials were held in secret lasting at most 2 days. Death sentences were carried out within 24 hours with no appeals or lawyers allowed

Durnovo

He was interior minister and sent army troops to settle countryside unrest. 15 000 were killed and 20 000 injured in 6 months. 45 000 were exiled to siberia, entire villages were burned and he aimed to terrorise the people into submission

Land reforms

Stolypin aimed to create a layer of prosperous and productive peasants who could farm independently, become wealthy, and support the tsar. rather than land being communally owned, he wanted it to be distributed amongst peasants where they could buy more land from a land bank. Initially it worked with order being restored to the countryside and a sharp increase of agricultural production. however his reforms did not address rural overpopulation or land hunger, only kulaks could afford to buy enough land to support their family, those who left the communes were viewed as Stolypin separators and attacked, and only 20% of those who left the communes actually became legal landowners.

Wager on the strong

Stolypin’s land reforms

Lena Goldfields massacre

This was a gold mine notorious for poor conditions. There was 700 accidents per 1000 workers per year, 16 hour days with poor pay, and workers strikes were common. This was started as a protest against serving rancid horse meat and developed into a strike demanding a 30% wage increase, 8 hour day and improved medical care. Troops sent to arrest strikers opened fire on 3000 unarmed marchers (160 killed and 200 injured). late 1912 c10 000 left the area and strikes increased to post bloody Sunday levels. workers were replaced by immigrants from China and Korea

Russian involvement in WWI

Russia was part of the triple entente in WWI. They were strong allies but they could not keep up with munitions orders resulting in a poor distribution of resources.

Russian army

This was less than 10% of the population with up to 25.3 million people mobilised with limited equipment. however, it was by far the largest force.

Russian leadership

Nicholas names himself commander in chief and general Polivanov reports there is no strong leadership nor plan. There was a general lack of organisation and direction resulting in food, ammunition, and medical aid shortages

Russian economy

Whilst Russia was stable by 1914 with the largest gold reserves in Europe, the gold standard was abandoned with government spending increasing from 4million to 30million rubles; wages doubled but prices quadrupled; and quantitative easing resulted in severe inflation

Russian transportation

The trans-siberian railway was never finished and all transport had frequent breakdowns and virtually collapsed in 1916. The Russian railway could not cope with wartime demands

Morale

The Russian army had the highest desertion rates which only increased after the great retreat (a string of retreats resulting in 1 million men either killed or wounded). The prohibition also caused social unrest as vodka was a cultural tradition and alternative to religion in dealing with the grimness of life

Rasputin

He was invited to the royal court and advised on curing Alexei from haemophilia. He gains political influence and was subject to scandal with the tsarina. His influence over the tsar has been exaggerated but it was clear that he was close with tsarina alexandra

Progressive bloc

Formed by Shulgin and 236 of 422 members of the Duma, this aimed to prevent revolution so that the government could end the war. Nicholas II refused to work with them

Shulgin

A conservative monarchist who helped to form the progressive bloc

zemgor

This was established by the union of zemstva and the union of municipal councils, patriotic urban and rural councils. They contributed to the war effort by manufacturing war essentials and undertaking relief efforts however Nicholas II refused to work with them.

Rodzianko

The president of the Duma. He warns Nicholas of immanent unrest. Ultimately, he led the abdication talks.

Putilov strikes

This was a full scale strike by workers from the largest and most politically active factories in Petrograd. The numbers grew and were angered by further cuts to bread supplies.

international women’s day

Thousands of women joined striking workers demanding food and an end to WWI

Petrograd soviet

This began to meet in the Tauride palace with an uneasy alliance with the provisional committee

Provisional committee

After Rodzianko’s offer the the preservation of imperial power was denied with the dissolution of the Duma, twelve members disobeyed and formed this

Growing political unrest

The growing professional middle class wanted a greater role in national government, working classes were becoming more radical after the Lena Goldfields massacre, and many became disillusioned by the tsarist government.

Role of Rasputin and Alexandra

The tsarina was hated as she was German and it was believed that she worked for the German government. Additionally, she and Rasputin dismissed competent ministers to replace with friends causing the ruling elite to lose faith in the Tsar.

Nicholas’ reluctance for reform

Nicholas never really accepted the Duma, and the fundamental laws proved that he would not part with autocratic power. He also rejected proposals by the progressive bloc and dismissed ministers who argued for reform

Impact of WWI

Most of the army were formed by peasant conscripts. 2million were killed and over 5million injured causing a workers shortage. Incompetent administration resulted in a munitions crisis (1915) and poor medical care. The rate of inflation also shattered any remaining Russian morale.