The Duma was created in 1906 to appease liberals after the 1905 revolution, but the tsar limited its power through laws that required the Duma's approval and allowed him to appoint most members. When reformist parties protested this weak Duma, it was dissolved. Deputies then issued an appeal urging tax resistance and draft dodging, but the people responded with violence instead. In response, the government arrested the deputies and increased repression under Stolypin, eventually proclaiming martial law and giving the military authority over the population. This oppressive silencing of dissent became a long-term cause of the 1917 revolution.
2. The objective of the Duma was to appease the liberals
after the 1905 Revolution. However the hope of the
liberals to have a constitutional advanced vanished
from the begining.
The tsar managed to keep with all the power, by
creating the Fundamental Laws, which limited the
influence of the Duma. It stated that the Duma would
bi-cameral, the majority of the members would be
appointed by the tsar.
All the laws had to be aproved by the Tsar, so this
deprived the Duma of any real power.
3. When the reformist parties showed their anger towards the
reduced power of the Duma, the Tsar dissolved it. This led
the Kadet and Labourist deputies at Vyborg (Finland) to
drew up an Appeal urging the Russians to make a passive
disobidience by:
- refusing to pay taxes
- Disobeying conscription orders
Instead, the Russian people acted with violence, which gave
the government an excuse for repression. The deputies at
Vyborg were arrested and prohibited to be re-elected. And
Nicholas II appointed Stolypin as the Chief Minister. From
Stolypin onwards, fierce repression measures were used.
4. After Stolypin and his fierce repressive measures, the
Martial Law was proclaimed. This law meant that the
whole population was under the military authority.
The violent and oppressive actions the government
took to silence the discontent of the people, became a
long term cause for the 1917 Revolution.
