The October Manifesto

Concession - Agreeing on something that would not usually be allowed.

Trade Union - An organization of workers that can bargain on workers behalf with employers for better pay and working conditions 

• The pressure of the general strike and increasingly worrying mutinies in the army led to Nicholas' advisors advising him to make concessions 
• The ministers knew that something had to be done o restore order. They came up with the October manifesto 

• The October manifesto was published on 17th October 2905 
• In the October Manifesto, the Tsar granted:
  • Freedom of speech and religion, the right to form political parties, and the right to form trade unions 
  • A parliament, also known as "Duma", with representatives elected in a general election 
  • Any new laws would have to be approved by the state duma 
  • Government actions would be supervised by the elected representatives of the people

• The October Manifesto delighted the liberal middle classes. The General strike was called off. There were widespread celebrations 
• However, The October Manifesto did not do anything to improve the conditions for the peasants or those suffering in the harsh conditions of the army 
• The social democrats were very critical of the October Manifesto and of the middle classes for abandoning the worker