4. The dumas and stolypin The attitude of nicholas to the first four dumas Stolypin’s policy of repression and land reform The lena goldfield strike

Create a grid detailing the 4 dumas: When: Who: Nicholas’ reaction: How did it end?

The Dumas Four Dumas were held between 1906 and 1914 The Dumas Four Dumas were held between 1906 and 1914. The first two featured strong opposition to Tsarism and quickly dissolved. The next two were less radical and more flexible as a result of changes to the voting system. The first Duma The first Duma was established in May 1906, after the announcement of the Fundamental Laws. It consisted mainly of Kadets and SRs. Hence, it demanded further political reform, including land reform and the release of political prisoners. This was denied by the Tsar. It lasted for just over two months before it was dissolved for passing a vote of ‘no confidence’ in Prime Minister Ivan Goremykin. The second Duma The second Duma was established in February 1907. Following the dissolving of the first Duma, many Kadets were involved in writing the Vyborg Appeal. This criticised the government and demanded the non-payment of taxes. In response, these Kadets were made inelegible to vote. This greatly reduced the power of the Kadets. Liberal Octoberists (those who agreed with the October Manifesto) had more influence as did SRs, Bolsheviks and Mensheviks. The second Duma lasted for five months. It was dissolved when members began promoting revolutionary organisations within the army. The third Duma Established in 1907, this Duma was intended to be much more supportive of the Tsar. Arrangements had been made for landowners to have more voting power. This meant only the most affluent third of the population were able to vote in the election. The resulting Duma was less radical and more favourable to the government. Prime Minister, Pyotr Stolypin was able to pass considerable land reform. It lasted until mid-1912. The fourth Duma Established in November 1912, the fourth Duma comprised mainly Octoberists on one side and socialists on the other, This made decision-making increasingly difficult. Both groups found it impossible to unite in order to make progress. The Duma was suspended in 1915, by which time Russia was committed to fighting the Austrians and Germans in World War One.

There were FOUR Dumas between 1906-1914: The first Duma (April- June 1906) was shut down on the Tsar’s orders because many Deputies wanted further reforms The second Duma (Feb-June 1907) was no more successful than the first. SR and SD Deputies opposed most of the plans proposed The third Duma (1907-1912) was more successful but not very democratic. The voting rules were altered so that only the richest could vote (so they would support the Tsar). This meant decisions could be passed as the Tsar agreed with them. They modernised the army and expanded national insurance schemes for workers and improvements were seen in education The fourth Duma (1912-1914) was not as successful as the third, because Stolypin was assassinated in 1911 and the new prime minsters were not as good. Many strikes broke out.

PUT IN THE CORRECT ORDER WHAT WHEN WHO END? First Duma 1907-1912 Prime Minister, Pyotr Stolypin - liberal Dissolved after SR & SDs couldn’t agree Second Duma 1912-1914 comprised mainly Octoberists on one side and socialists on the other Stolypin was assassinated Third Duma April- June 1906 Liberal Octoberists (those who agreed with the October Manifesto) had more influence as did SRs, Bolsheviks and Mensheviks Dissolved by the Tsar Fourth Duma Feb-June 1907 consisted mainly of Kadets and SRs Voting rules favoured the Tsar so was quite successful PUT IN THE CORRECT ORDER

WHAT WHEN WHO END? First Duma April- June 1906 consisted mainly of Kadets and SRs Dissolved by the Tsar Second Duma Feb-June 1907 Liberal Octoberists (those who agreed with the October Manifesto) had more influence as did SRs, Bolsheviks and Mensheviks Dissolved after SR & SDs couldn’t agree Third Duma 1907-1912 Prime Minister, Pyotr Stolypin - liberal Voting rules favoured the Tsar so was quite successful Fourth Duma 1912-1914 comprised mainly Octoberists on one side and socialists on the other Stolypin was assassinated

Got to stop the SRs…repression here we go… Read the information about Stolypin and fill out his facebook page detailing his policy of repression and land reform

Reforms of Stolypin Agrarian reforms Why was reform introduced? Stolypin wanted to reform agriculture in order to modernise Russia and make it more competitive with other European powers. He hoped that reorganising the land would increase support for the Tsar among unskilled farmhands. This would reduce the threat of the Social Revolutionaries. Stolypin believed the key to success was to increase the number of peasant landowners, which would result in a more invested peasantry. What changed? Redemption Payments (loans from the state) were abolished. Loans for peasants to buy land became available with the introduction of Peasants' Land Banks. Mirs (communities of peasant farmers) could no longer stop individuals from leaving to buy private land. Mirs that did not cooperate were to be dissolved. Peasants were also given financial incentives to move to remote areas of Siberia in an attempt to open up the countryside. What were the results of agrarian reform? Agricultural output increased by a third, while peasant land ownership increased by 30 per cent. The number of Kadets increased dramatically and they were increasingly supportive of the Tsar.

Reforms of Stolypin Industrial progress It was hoped that agrarian reform would reduce demand for labour in the countryside, hence increasing urbanisation as people flooded into the towns and cities looking for work. Increased output Heavy industry increased considerably. The production of iron and steel rose by 50 per cent and by the outbreak of World War One, Russia was the fourth largest producer of steel, coal and iron. Improved conditions Cavalry police and large crowd of demonstators on a Russian street Protesters in St Petersburg demonstrate against the Lena massacre The formation of trade unions had been made legal in 1905. In 1912, safety inspectors were introduced into factories. Workers began to benefit from employee insurance schemes which provided protection against accidents and illness. However, a strike at the Lena gold fields in 1912 emphasised that there was still a great deal of discontent. Hundreds of the protesters were killed by army and police. It was clear that opposition to the Tsarist state was again on the increase.

Pastpaper questions (b) Choose either: Stolypin appointed prime minister or The second duma Explain one effect on Russia of the event you have chosen. (4) (c) Why did the dumas achieve little in the years 1906–14? Explain your answer. (8)

Lena goldfield strike The Lena Goldfields Massacre of April 4, 1912, shook Russian society and rekindled the revolutionary and workers' movements after the post–1905 repression. 1. The Lena River goldfields were located in remote Siberia and funded by wealthy Russian and English investors. 2. Miners at Lena River endured long working hours, unsafe conditions, company fines and over-priced supplies. 3. In 1912 around 6,000 miners went on strike after being supplied with rotten horse meat in the company canteen. 4. Their demands for improved conditions were rejected by the company, which called in government troops. 5. The arrest of strike leaders triggered more unrest and led to the killing of around 250 miners by the troops. The Lena River massacre reignited anti- tsarist tensions and led to a wave of strikes, particularly in St Petersburg. http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/lena-river-massacre/