The Duma or how to make the interesting lessons of history utterly boring. Athough Stolypin instituted some progressive economic reforms, the regime’s political policies were reactionary and destructive. “Curse the Duma…it is all Witte’s doing” - Nicholas II, 1906

Elections to the First Two Dumas: The Fundamental Laws The October Manifesto implied representative government with shared powers. The “Fundamentals Laws” stepped back and kept the Tsar’s autocratic power intact The October Manifesto implied representative government with shared powers. The “Fundamentals Laws” stepped back and kept the Tsar’s autocratic power intact The Duma would only be called when the Tsar wanted The Duma would only be called when the Tsar wanted The Duma was dissolved when the Tsar wanted The Duma was dissolved when the Tsar wanted The Duma could only advise the Tsarand offer opinions on current policies The Duma could only advise the Tsarand offer opinions on current policies The Duma could not initiate legislation The Duma could not initiate legislation

The First Duma May - July 1906 May - July 1906 Designed to be complex and allow pro-tsarist elements more say in elections Designed to be complex and allow pro-tsarist elements more say in elections 1/2 of the reps were appointed by the Tsar, the other half elected by the Zemstva (upper-house) 1/2 of the reps were appointed by the Tsar, the other half elected by the Zemstva (upper-house) Characterized by the majority of Kadets involved who wanted constitutional monarchy (pgs 66-69) Characterized by the majority of Kadets involved who wanted constitutional monarchy (pgs 66-69) Reaction: The Tsar dissolved the Duma and authorized Stolpyn to initiate more repressive acts Reaction: The Tsar dissolved the Duma and authorized Stolpyn to initiate more repressive acts

Duma Two: electric bugaloo March - June 1907 March - June 1907 Witte, known for his progressive reform tendencies, quits and is replaced by a much more conservative Goremykin Witte, known for his progressive reform tendencies, quits and is replaced by a much more conservative Goremykin During elections, the police intimidated many Kadets away from voting. During elections, the police intimidated many Kadets away from voting. Instead, Social Democrats became the majority which was even worse. Instead, Social Democrats became the majority which was even worse. The Tsar the dissolved this Duma too The Tsar the dissolved this Duma too

Duma Three In 3-D!!! Monarchists are the majority Monarchists are the majority In June 1907, Stolpyn passes voting reform that becomes even more biased favoring conservative, landowning nobility. Workers vote is reduced to 20 times weaker than landowners In June 1907, Stolpyn passes voting reform that becomes even more biased favoring conservative, landowning nobility. Workers vote is reduced to 20 times weaker than landowners Flooded with moderates and status-quo Flooded with moderates and status-quo Opposition begins to grow from below, the masses begin feeling ignored and frutrated Opposition begins to grow from below, the masses begin feeling ignored and frutrated Tsar had no knowledge or belief that the peasentry would turn on him Tsar had no knowledge or belief that the peasentry would turn on him

The Duma Four: Revenge of the Syth (Stolpyn) Oktobrists and monarchists are majority Oktobrists and monarchists are majority Opposition comes from above and below Opposition comes from above and below All members of Duma grow resentful All members of Duma grow resentful Tsar reacts by giving NO important legislation to debate, and they are still unable to introduce legislation Tsar reacts by giving NO important legislation to debate, and they are still unable to introduce legislation