Открытие I Государственной думы - 27 апреля 1906 г./ Opening of First State Duma - April 27, 1906

Открытие I Государственной думы - 27 апреля 1906 г. Opening of the First State Duma - April 27, 1906 Music: “Bolero“ by M. Glinka Coming under pressure from the Russian Revolution of 1905, Sergei Witte, the then Prime Minister, issued a manifesto about the convocation of a State Duma. On April 27, 1906, Emperor Nicholas II formally opened the first State Duma with around 500 deputies attending. Here I present the photographs from that opening day.... The Duma, itself, ran for 73 days and achieved little success. The Emperor was determined to retain his autocratic powers and had issued the Fundamental laws, which gave him the title of “Supreme autocrat“. Although no law could be made without the Duma’s assent, neither could the Duma pass laws without the approval of the noble-dominated State Council (half of which was to be appointed directly by the Tsar), and the Tsar himself retained a veto.........