October Manifesto and the Duma

On October 30, 1905, The October Manifesto is the document that proceeded the Russian Empire's first constitution, which would be adopted the next year. The Manifesto was issued by Emperor Nicholas II, as a response to the Russian Revolution of 1905.

The Duma was a group of council assemblies created by the Tsar of Russia. The Tsar is similar to a king or queen. Simply, it is a Russian governmental institution that was formed during the reign of the last Tsar, Nicholas II. The Duma was created as an advisory board, but since Nicholas II wanted to introduce basic civil liberties, the Duma was given legislative and oversight powers.

However, Tsar Nicholas II was determined to retain his total power. Just before the creation of the Duma in May of 1906, the Tsar issued the Fundamental Laws. This stated that the ministers of Tsar were not determined by or did not answer to the Duma. And the Tsar can dismiss the Duma and announce new elections whenever he wished. Between 1905 and 1912, the Duma was elected four separate times.

Primary Source document: Tsar Nicholas II’s diary entry on the issue of the October Manifesto (19th October, 1905)

"There were only two ways open; to find an energetic soldier and crush the rebellion by sheer force. That would mean rivers of blood, and in the end we would be where had started. The other way out would be to give to the people their civil rights, freedom of speech and press, also to have laws conformed by a State Duma - that of course would be a constitution…in the end, invoking God's help I signed. This terrible decision which, nevertheless I took quite consciously…"

What does the October Manifesto remind you of?

The Russian government attempted to implement democratic principles, but since the Duma did not have any real control over law-making, democracy failed. Therefore, the Russian government was totally controlled by the czar. The ideas of democracy fought for in the October Manifesto were abolished.

Think back to the French Revolution? How is this similar or different to the French Revolution?