Boris
Sturmer was born in Russia in 1848. A member
of the Russian civil service, Sturmer became Governor of Yaroslavl.
In February, 1916, Sturmer was surprisingly appointed by Nicholas
II to replace Ivan Goremykin as
prime minister.
A
well-known opponent of democratic government, Sturmer was much hated
by the Duma. The following month he also
became Minister of the Interior and in July, 1916, replaced Sergei
Sazonov at the foreign
office.
In
poor health, Sturmer was an incompetent minister and rumours circulated
that along with Alexandra
and Gregory Rasputin, was involved in
negotiating a peace agreement with Germany
and Austria-Hungary.
Nicholas
II
came under considerable pressure from the Duma
concerning Sturmer and in November, 1916, he was removed Sturmer from
office. After the February Revolution,
the Provisional Government had Sturmer
arrested. Boris
Sturmer
died
in prison on 2nd September, 1917.
(1)
Bernard Pares, a British academic, met
several of the leading political figures in Russia during the summer
of 1914.
Sturmer was a shallow and dishonest creature, without
even the merit of courage. Sturmer was prepared to pose as a semi-liberal
and to try in this way to keep the Duma quiet. Rasputin backed Sturmer,
and also the Empress, and he was suddenly appointed Prime Minister
on February 2nd and to the surprise of everyone, and most of all Goremykin,
who, as was usual with the Emperor, had never been given the idea
that he was even in danger.
(2)
Alexander Kerensky, Russia and History's
Turning Point (1965)
On January 19, Goremykin was replaced by Sturmer, an extreme
reactionary who hated the very idea of any form of popular representation
or local self-government. Even more important, he was undoubtedly
a believer in the need for an immediate cessation of the war with
Germany.
During
his first few months in office, Sturmer was also Minister of Interior,
but the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs was still held by Sazonov,
who firmly advocated honouring the alliance with Britain and France
and carrying on the war to the bitter end, and who recognized the
Cabinet's obligation to pursue a policy in tune with the sentiments
of the majority in the Duma.
On August
9, however, Sazonov was suddenly dismissed. His portfolio was taken
over by Sturmer, and on September 16, Protopopov was appointed acting
Minister of the Interior. The official government of the Russian Empire
was now entirely in the hands of the Tsarina and her advisers.
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