Duma

The Emperor retained an absolute veto and could dismiss the State Duma at any time for a suitable reason.

Compare Ancient Greek θῡμός (thūmós, “soul, emotion”), occasionally also “thought, mind”.

Machek: From an inversion of root *mewHdʰ-, otherwise yielding Proto-Slavic *myslь (“thought”), Ancient Greek μῦθος (mûthos, “word, fable”).

[5] All owners of houses, tax-paying merchants and workmen are enrolled on lists in a descending order according to their assessed wealth.

Under Alexander III, however, by laws promulgated in 1892 and 1894, the municipal dumas were subordinated to the governors in the same way as the zemstvos.

In 1894 municipal institutions, with still more restricted powers, were granted to several towns in Siberia, and in 1895 to some in Caucasia.

Under the pressure of the Russian Revolution of 1905, on 6 August 1905, Sergei Witte issued a manifesto about the convocation of the Duma, initially thought to be an advisory organ.

In the subsequent October Manifesto, Nicholas II pledged to introduce basic civil liberties, provide for broad participation in the State Duma, and endow the Duma with legislative and oversight powers.

At this first meeting of the Duma members proposed that political prisoners should be released, trade unions given rights and land reform be introduced.