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October Manifesto
(in English)

Ilya Repin 17 October 1905

The October Manifesto (Russian: Октябрьский Манифест, Манифест 17 октября) was issued on October 17, 1905; October 30 in the Gregorian calendar) by Emperor Nicholas II of Russia under the influence of Count Sergei Witte as a response to the Russian Revolution of 1905. The official name of the document is The Manifesto on the Improvement of the State Order (Манифест об усовершенствовании государственного порядка). The Manifesto addressed the unrest in Russia and pledged to grant civil liberties to the people: including personal immunity, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association; a broad participation in the Duma; introduction of universal suffrage; and a decree that no law should come into force without the consent of the state Duma. Image File history File links Wikisource-logo. ... The original Wikisource logo. ... Image File history File links Repin_17October. ... Image File history File links Repin_17October. ... Ilyá Yefímovich Répin (Илья́ Ефи́мович Ре́пин) (August 5, 1844 (Julian calendar: July 24) – September 29, 1930) was a leading Russian painter and sculptor of the Peredvizhniki artistic... October 17 is the 290th (in leap years the 291st) day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. ... 1905 (MCMV) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... October 30 is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 62 days remaining. ... The Gregorian calendar is the calendar that is used nearly everywhere in the world. ... Nicholas II of Russia (May 6 (O.S.)/May 18 (N.S.) 1868–July 17, 1918) (Russian: , Nikolay II) was the last Emperor of Russia, King of Poland, and Grand Duke of Finland. ... Sergei Witte Count Sergei Yulyevich Witte (Серге́й Ю́льевич Ви́тте) (June 29, 1849 – March 13, 1915), also known as Sergius Witte, was a highly influential policy-maker who presided over extensive industrialization within the Russian Empire. ... The Russian Revolution of 1905 was an empire-wide spasm of both anti-government and undirected violence. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... It has been suggested that Religious toleration be merged into this article or section. ... A public anti-war demonstration in Liverpool, England Freedom of speech is the concept of being able to speak freely without censorship. ... Freedom of assembly is the freedom to associate with, or organize any groups, gatherings, clubs, or organizations that one wishes. ... Freedom of association is the right enjoyed by free adults to mutually choose their associates for whatever purposes they see fit. ... A Duma (Ду́ма in Russian) is any of various representative assemblies in modern Russia and Russian history. ... Universal suffrage (also general suffrage or common suffrage) consists of the extension of suffrage to all adults, without distinction as to race, sex, belief, or social status. ...

The manifesto was a precursor of the first ever Russian Constitution. The first Russian constitution, known as the Fundamental Laws was enacted on April 23, 1906, on the eve of the opening of the first State Duma. ...

In reality, the Manifesto (and the Constitution) did not result in a significant increase in freedom or government representation for the average Russian. The Tsar continued to exercise veto power over the Duma, and he dissolved and reformed it several times. Monomakhs Cap symbol of Russian autocracy, the crown of Russian grand princes and tsars Czar and tzar redirect here. ... The word veto comes from Latin and literally means I forbid. ...

Opposition

The opposition to Tsar Nicholas II was divided by the October Manifesto. The Kadets were appeased by the idea of having freedom of speech and a truly representative government. However, The liberal Marxists maintained that Nicholas had really only made a small concession. The Duma was only a shell of democracy, as it could not pass laws without the approval of the Tsar, and freedom of speech was heavily regulated. The Dissmissal of the first and second Duma also showed that Nicholas II maintained his absloute power Representative democracy is a form of democracy founded on the exercise of popular sovereignty by the peoples representatives. ...

References

• The Memoirs Of Count Witte
  • New York & Toronto (1921),
  • Armonk, New York (1990). ISBN 0-87332-571-0