<P> Tsar Nicholas II agreed on 18 February (O.S. 5 February) to the creation of a State Duma of the Russian Empire but with consultative powers only . When its slight powers and limits on the electorate were revealed, unrest redoubled . The Saint Petersburg Soviet was formed and called for a general strike in October, refusal to pay taxes, and the withdrawal of bank deposits . </P> <P> In June and July 1905, there were many peasant uprisings in which peasants seized land and tools . Disturbances in the Russian - controlled Congress Poland culminated in June 1905 in the Łódź insurrection . Surprisingly, only one landlord was recorded as killed . Far more violence was inflicted on peasants outside the commune: 50 deaths were recorded . </P> <P> The October Manifesto, written by Sergei Witte and Alexis Obolenskii, was presented to the Tsar on 14 October (O.S. 1 October). It closely followed the demands of the Zemstvo Congress in September, granting basic civil rights, allowing the formation of political parties, extending the franchise towards universal suffrage, and establishing the Duma as the central legislative body . The Tsar waited and argued for three days, but finally signed the manifesto on 30 October (O.S. 17 October) 1905, citing his desire to avoid a massacre and his realisation that there was insufficient military force available to pursue alternate options . He regretted signing the document, saying that he felt "sick with shame at this betrayal of the dynasty...the betrayal was complete". </P> <P> When the manifesto was proclaimed, there were spontaneous demonstrations of support in all the major cities . The strikes in Saint Petersburg and elsewhere officially ended or quickly collapsed . A political amnesty was also offered . The concessions came hand - in - hand with renewed, and brutal, action against the unrest . There was also a backlash from the conservative elements of society, with right - wing attacks on strikers, left - wingers, and Jews . </P>

Describe the four major demands of the russian revolutionaries before the russian revolution of 1917