Duma Facts & Worksheets

Duma facts and information plus worksheet packs and fact file. Includes 5 activities aimed at students 11-14 years old (KS3) & 5 activities aimed at students 14-16 years old (GCSE). Great for home study or to use within the classroom environment.

School History > Modern World > Duma Facts & Worksheets

Duma Worksheets

Do you want to save dozens of hours in time? Get your evenings and weekends back? Be able to teach about the Duma to your students?

Our worksheet bundle includes a fact file and printable worksheets and student activities. Perfect for both the classroom and homeschooling!

Subscribe to Download →

Download free samples

sh-study

Resource Examples

Click any of the example images below to view a larger version.

Fact File

Duma Resource 1
Duma Resource 2

Student Activities

Duma Activity & Answer Guide 1
Duma Activity & Answer Guide 2
Duma Activity & Answer Guide 3
Duma Activity & Answer Guide 4
Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

    Summary

    • Historical Background of the Duma
    • State Dumas
      • First to Fourth State Duma of the Russian Empire
    • Legislative Process After 1917
    • Legislative Process Since 1991

    Key Facts And Information

    Let’s find out more about the Duma!

    A duma was an advisory council with legislative functions in Russia. Between the 10th and 17th centuries, the boyar duma refers to the council of boyars, who served as advisors to the prince on state matters. From ten to twelve boyars, the number increased to 50 by the mid-17th century. The most popular duma was the Imperial Duma or State Duma, which convened between 1906 and 1917 during the rule of the last Russian tsar, Nicholas II. 

     

     

    Tsar Nicholas II's opening speech before the two chambers in the Winter Palace (1906)
    Tsar Nicholas II's opening speech before the two chambers in the Winter Palace (1906)

    Historical Background of the Duma

    • From the earlier use of boyar duma until the 17th century, Peter the Great transferred its advisory functions to the Governing Senate. The Governing Senate was initially established in Peter the Great's absence and later made permanent upon his return. 
    • During the reign of Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great, city dumas were created. Based on a decree issued on 21 April 1785, Empress Catherine II created city dumas with a general duma, a mayor, and six councillors. City dumas were first established in St. Petersburg in 1846 and followed by Moscow and Odessa in 1862. 
    • Under Alexander II, the duma was replaced by another local political body known as zemstvos. Categorised based on wealth, homeowners, tax-paying merchants, and workmen had the privilege of electing delegates to the municipal duma. This reformed local government was set up as part of Alexander II’s emancipation reform in 1861. 
    • As an elected body, zemstvo met once a year to address issues. First instituted in 1864, 33 provincial zemstvos were created. Under the law, a zemstvo had 14 objectives to accomplish:
      1. Self management of zemstvo property and revenue
      2. Self maintenance of zemstvo property
      3. Public food security
      4. Management of philanthropy, public welfare, and church building maintenance
      5. Mutual property insurance
      6. Oversee development of trade and industry
      7. Economic participation of public education, public health, and prison systems
      8. Cooperation on the prevention of bovine disease and crop plagues
      9. Fulfillment of civil, military, and postal demands
      10. Distribution of state tax funds assigned to the zemstvo
      11. Setting, collecting, and allocating local taxes
      12. Notify the public of local welfare opportunities and civil rights
      13. Hold elections
      14. Special charters
    • The representative council of the zemstvo was comprised of five classes of members, including large landed proprietors and proxies of small landowners, wealthier townsmen, less wealthy urban classes, and peasants. The election was limited to persons above 25 years of age, people without criminal records, and were not foreigners.

    State Dumas

    • During Tsar Nicholas II's rule, Sergei Witte, chairman of the Council of Ministers, brought about the Duma's convocation. On 6 August 1905, Nicholas II issued the October Manifesto under the pressure of the Russian Revolution. 
    • In the manifesto, Nicholas II promised the introduction of basic civil liberties, participation in and granting of legislative powers to the State Duma. However, following the creation of the Duma in May 1906, Nicholas II issued the Fundamental Laws, which secured his autocratic power. The laws ensured the Tsar’s ministers were under his authority, not the Duma. Furthermore, it also stipulated the absolute power of the Tsar over the Duma, in which he could dismiss the body and announce new elections. 

    First to Fourth State Duma of the Russian Empire

    • On 27 April 1906, the First State Duma of the Russian Empire opened in Tauride Palace in Saint-Petersburg. There was no universal, equal, and direct voting at this time. Like zemstvo, young people under 25, foreigners, military people, and women could not participate. Despite its electoral nature, the First State Duma had limited powers. Under the Code of Main State Laws issued on 23 April 1906, Nicholas II had the power to appoint ministers, declare a state of emergency, and issue foreign policy. 
    Constitutional Democrats members of the First Duma
    Constitutional Democrats members of the First Duma
    • While the members of the First Duma attempted to introduce political reforms, particularly on land issues, they largely failed and eventually dissolved on 8 July 1906, after only 73 days of existence. 
    • The Second Duma was convened on 20 February 1907, and like the first one, it only lasted for months until it was dissolved again by Nicholas II on 3 June 1907. After the delegates’ attempt to expand the Duma’s authority, 55 were accused of plotting against the Romanovs. Nicholas II’s government accused the delegates, particularly the Social Democrats, of scheming a coup. Another result was the publication of new regulations on elections. 
    • On 1 November 1907, the Third Duma was convened. Among the new election regulations was the restriction of the rights of peasants and workers, which resulted in a decreased number of representatives from remote areas. 
    • The Third Duma was successful in supporting reforms that improved Russia’s military capabilities, land issues, and basic social welfare. Unlike the two short-lived Dumas, the Third Duma completed its five-year term in 1912 before the Fourth Duma replaced it. 

     

    • Following the outbreak of the First World War, the series of Russian defeats in the war, and Nicholas II’s unpopularity, the Fourth Duma was in constant conflict with the tsar. Displeased with the tsar’s military control, half of the deputies formed a Progressive Bloc, which later became the focal point of political resistance against the Romanovs. Besides Nicholas II’s failure to lead the army, the resistance was alarmed by Grigori Rasputin’s influence on the court, especially Tsarina Alexandra. 
    • The Octobrists and the Kadets were particularly vigilant about the role and influence of Rasputin in the Russian court and the Duma. In Nicholas II’s attempt to impose autocracy, Nicholas II issued a decree suspending the Fourth Duma on 25 February 1917. However, the Duma considered its sessions privately. Two after its suspension, the Duma formed the Provisional Committee of the State Duma. The arrest of ex-ministers and senior officials soon followed. 
    • The political instability was heightened by the “Tsarina’s rule” for 17 months (from September 1915 to February 1917), which saw the failures of 4 prime ministers, 5 ministers of the interior, 3 ministers of transport and 4 ministers of agriculture. The Provisional Government believed this “ministerial leapfrog” disorganised Russia's overall governance and functioning. 
    • Following the Kornilov Affair and the proclamation of the republic, the State Duma was dissolved on 6 October 1917. Instead, a provisional parliament convened on 20 October 1917. 

    Legislative Process After 1917

    • After the 1917 February Revolution, Nicholas II abdicated the throne and became the last tsar; Russia was under the Provisional Government. However, political rivalry ensued, leading to the October Revolution led by the Bolshevik Vladimir Lenin. Under the Soviets, the All-Russian Congress of Soviets served as the highest legislative authority. At the same time, the Sovnarkom, or the Council of People’s Commissars, acted as the executive body issuing decrees. Among the most popular decrees initially issued by Lenin were the Decree on Land and the Decree on Peace, which redistributed land and withdrew Russia from the First World War. 

     

    Vladimir Lenin in 1920
    Vladimir Lenin in 1920
    • By 1922, Lenin formed the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) with the All-Union Congress of Soviets as its supreme legislative body. Meanwhile, the Central Executive Committee of the Soviet Union, or CEC, carried out legislative functions between congresses from 1922 until 1938. 
    • By 1936, the All-Union Congress of Soviets was replaced by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR under Joseph Stalin. Then, the highest legislative body consisted of two chambers: the Soviet of the Union and the Soviet of Nationalities. Despite this, the highest and real authority remained with the Communist Party and its Politburo.
    • Despite the de-Stalinisation under Nikita Khrushchev, the Supreme Soviet remained the formal legislative body, while the party maintained its control over legislation. 
    • Mikhail Gorbachev led the democratisation of the Soviet legislative process when he introduced the 1988 reforms. The Congress of People’s Deputies was created as the supreme legislative body. 

    Legislative Process Since 1991

    • The international community applauded and recognised Gorbachev for introducing reforms in the USSR. However, his policies were criticised at home, specifically by the party, which later led to his destabilisation. The collapse of the USSR led to the emergence of the Russian Federation. 
    • By 1993, the Constitution of Russia established the Federal Assembly composed of two chambers: the State Duma (or the lower house), which drafts and debates law, and the Federation Council (or the upper house), which reviews and approves legislation. Meanwhile, the President of Russia had significant influence over the legislative process, including veto authority. 
    • Under the 1993 Russian constitution, the State Duma has 450 deputies, each elected to a term of four years (later amended to five years in 2008) through proportional representation. All Russian citizens at least 21 years old can run for the Duma. 
    • Today, the State Duma and the Federation Council usually meet separately. Joint sessions are typically held during the annual address to the assembly of the President, a hearing of the address of the Constitutional Court of Russia, and the speeches of leaders of foreign states. 

    Image Sources

    Frequently Asked Questions About The Duma

    • What is the Duma?

      The Duma is a legislative body in Russia. Historically, it refers to the parliament established during the Russian Empire in 1906. Today, it generally refers to the State Duma, the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia.

    • Why was the Duma created?

      The Duma was created to address widespread social unrest and political demands for reform and to introduce limited constitutional monarchy principles in the Russian Empire.

    • What powers did the first Duma have?

      The first Duma had limited legislative powers. It could propose laws, approve budgets, and discuss political issues, but Tsar Nicholas II retained veto power and the authority to dissolve the Duma.