The Duma & Political Stalemate
History: KS3, topic 17.2.5
The Government and the Duma
Tsar Nicholas II and Peter Stolypin struggled to keep a good relationship with the Duma (the Russian parliament).
First and second Dumas
- The October Manifesto introduced the Duma to pacify the people.
- But on the 8th of July 1906, after the Duma had been running for 2 months, the tsar quickly dissolved the Duma because it was too radical.
- On the 21st of July 1906, the tsar made Stolypin the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, effectively replacing the Duma.
- The second Duma was opened in 1907 but was abandoned after 3 months.
'Duma of national anger'
- The second Duma was more radical than the first because the Socialists, Bolsheviks, and Mensheviks all decided to stand for election.
- There were twice as many radicals in the Duma as moderates, making law-making hard.
- Stolypin & Tsar Nicholas tried to prosecute members of the Duma, thinking that they were encouraging a mutiny among Russia's military and naval forces.
Reforming the Duma and election process
- With the second Duma being made up of very radical socialists, Stolypin changed Russian law to try to get a more moderate Duma.
- Peasants' and workers' votes were downgraded so that peasants and workers were less represented (they had been voting for the extreme socialists).
- Instead, the aristocracy, landowners and wealthy had more of a say in who became a representative in the Duma.
Test yourself on The Duma & Political Stalemate
What year was the second Duma formed?
Describe the 'Duma of national anger'