1. What saves the Tsar?

2. 1.The Tsar’s October Manifesto
Promised a popularly elected Duma/Bicameral Legislature
Freedom of Speech, religion, and assembly
Tsar had absolute Veto
Sergei Witte convinced Tsar this was the only way to stop the onslaught of revolution because the military was away
October 30, 1905

3. 2.The Opening of the Duma: Possible Reforms?
1906
The first two tries were too radical.
The third duma was elected by the richest people in Russia in Thanks to Stolypin!

4. The Russian Constitution of 1906
Known as the Fundamental Laws [April 23, 1906].
The autocracy of the Russian Tsar was declared.
The Tsar was supreme over the law, the church, and the Duma.
It confirmed the basic human rights granted by the October Manifesto, BUT made them subordinate to the supremacy of the law.
“Let it be known to all that I…shall maintain the principles of AUTOCRACY just as firmly and unflinchingly as did my unforgettable dead father” Nicholas II to the Duma

5. http://ww2. ecclesbourne. derbyshire. sch
Witte vs Stolypin

6. Sergei Witte’s Policies 1903-06
Accomplishments in Industry:
State sponsored development of heavy industry
Took foreign loans, investment, and expertise
To create a strong ruble, adopted the gold standard
Place high tariffs on foreign industrial goods
Finance Minister
Prime Minister
Architect of Russian Industrialization
Major accomplishment is Trans-Siberian Railway
Promoted Rapid Industrialization of Heavy Industry
Raised taxes, which affected almost all Russians

7. Criticisms of Witte’s Industrial Plan (from the Government’s Perspective)
Spread of technical education (an educated society is more likely to revolt)
Growth of the middle class
New urban working class angry over living and working conditions
Squeezing peasant and urban workers with higher taxes and low wages
Neglect of light industry and agriculture; made these goods more expensive to buy
Why was Witte dismissed?
Witte’s economic policies helped create the problems of Bloody Sunday
The Tsar’s advisors lost confidence in Witte, especially after Witte encourages the Tsar to issue the October Manifesto
Witte is also the mastermind behind the creation of the Duma, which was considered by some a direct threat to autocracy
However if the Tsar had not issued the Manifesto, he would have lost control of Russian long before 1917

8. Russian Revolutionary Parties after the 1905 Revolution

9. Pytor Stolypin
Treatment of the Peasants
Believed peasants were natural conservatives and would be loyal to the Tsar
He forgives peasants’ land debts; essentially making them land owners
Creates a “land bank” that allows peasants to take out loans for needed equipment and materials
After Witte’s dismissal Stolypin becomes the Tsar’s Prime Minister
He sought to fight the revolutionary movement with both severe repression and social reform
The first two Dumas were dismissed by the Tsar; however Stolypin was able to manipulate voting rights for only the rich, thus ensuring a Duma more willing to work with the Tsar

10. Radicals/Political Opposition
In order to create a Duma that will be loyal to the Tsar, Stolypin must change voting rights
1907 he changes voting requirements, by taking voting rights away from peasants
“Carrot and whip”
Radicals/Political Opposition
Instituted court- martials in 1906
Goal was to rid Russia of the radical revolutionaries and political opposition to the Tsar
“Hangman in-chief”- Lenin’s name for Stolypin
Stolypin’s Neckties (hangman’s noose)