The Octobrist Party

Who were the Octobrists?

The Octobrist Party was a Russian political party with socially conservative, but constitutionally liberal views. It was created in November 1905.

When was the Octobrist Party set up?

The Octobrist Party existed from 1905 to 1917, when they were made illegal by the Bolshevik Party.

Why was the Octobrist Party set up?

The Octobrist Party was set up after Tsar Nicholas II issued his October Manifesto to support the implementation of the changes the October Manifesto.

What were the views of the Octobrist Party?

The Octobrists had 2 key views:

• ❖ They believed in a limited constitutional monarchy in which the State Duma passed laws but the tsar kept his authority.
• ❖ They initially supported Stolypin's economic policies but became more critical because of his repressive policies.

What was the role of the Octobrist Party in the Duma?

The Octobrists played 4 main roles in the State Dumas:

• ❖ The Octobrists became the largest group in the third Duma because Stolypin changed the voting laws in 1907.
• ❖ They supported Russia's entry into the First World War in 1914.
• ❖ They joined the Progressive Bloc in 1915 with the Kadets, or Constitutional Democratic Party, which wanted more representative leadership and reform.
• ❖ They held several positions in the government during the First World War and the Dual Power of the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet in 1917.