Russian October Manifesto

Lesson Snapshot:

With the country paralysed and the threat of revolution growing in 1905, Nicholas turned to Sergei Witte for advice. Witte persuaded the Tsar that in order to prevent the outbreak of revolution, and possible civil war, he would have to give in to the demands of the Constitutional Democrats and agree to share power with elected representatives of the people. Nicholas reluctantly followed Witte’s advice.

On the 30th October 1905, the Tsar issued an Imperial Manifesto. Its main concession was a promise to introduce a parliament elected by the people. The elected parliament would be known as the Duma. The Duma’s consent would be needed to pass new laws although the Tsar retained the power to pass laws without the Duma when it was not sitting. Not everybody would be able to vote for the representatives of the Duma, the Ownership of quite a lot of property was one of the qualifications needed to vote. However, the Liberals greeted the
October Manifesto with enthusiasm, seeing it as the end of autocracy. In addition to creating parliament the Manifesto also introduced such civil liberties as freedom of speech and the right to join unions.

The October Manifesto promised:
• an elected Dumas (parliament)
• the right to vote to all Russian men
• that all new laws had to be approved by the Dumas
• that Russians would have the right to form political parties, join trade unions, and have freedom of speech.

Worksheet Lesson Plan:

• Aimed at Students studying across UK Year 7,8 & 9 or equivalent
• Premium resource
• Use as you wish in the classroom or home environment
• Lesson plan on the Russian October Manifesto.
• Contains questions throughout the study worksheet.