What was'Duma'?How far was it successful
Answers
It was created by the ruling Tsarist regime in 1905, when the government was desperate to divide opposition during an uprising.
After the announcement, hopes were high that the Duma would bring democracy, but it was soon revealed that the Duma would have two chambers, only one of which was elected by the Russian people. The other was appointed by the Tsar and held a veto over any actions.
In addition, the Tsar retained ‘Supreme Autocratic Power’. In effect, the Duma was neutered right from the start, and people knew it.
The Four Dumas
There were four Dumas during the institution’s lifetime: 1906, 1907, 1907 – 12 and 1912 – 17. The first Duma was comprised of deputies angry at the Tsar and what they perceived as backtracking on his promises, and the Tsar dissolved the body after only two months when the government felt the Duma complained too much and was intractable.
End of the Duma
During the First World War, the members of the fourth Duma grew increasingly critical of the inept Russian government, and in 1917 joined with the army to send a delegation to the Tsar, asking him to abdicate. When he did so, the Duma transformed into part of the Provisional Government; this tried to run Russia in conjunction with the Soviets while a constitution was drawn up, but was washed away in the October Revolution. The Duma has to be considered a great failure for the Russian people, and a lot for the Tsar really, being neither a representative body or a complete puppet. On the other hand, compared to what followed after October 1917, it had a lot to recommend it.