(1905-1906) Ivan Logginovich Goremykin (1906) Pyotr Arkadyevich Stolypin (1906-1911) Vladimir Nikolayevich Kokovtsov (1911-1914) Ivan Logginovich Goremykin (1914-1916) Boris Vladimirovich Shtyurmer (1916) Alexander Fyodorovich Trepov (1916) Nikolay Dmitriyevich Golitsyn (1916-1917) Nicholas's hostility to parliamentarism emerged at the very beginning of his reign in 1894; to him, it would cause Russia to disintegrate. According to S. Kulikov: "Nicholas was pursuing the entirely specific idea of gradually replacing absolutism with dualism, rather than with parliamentarism." On July 1, 1914, the Tsar suggested that the Duma - half of the deputies were nobles - should be reduced to merely a consultative body. On 24 August 1915 the Progressive Bloc, including the entire membership of the Duma, except the extreme right and the extreme left, was formed. It had the support of the press, the public opinion and, to a considerable extent, most of the Council of Ministers as well. The deputies tried to bring the Council "uninterested in reform" under control of the Duma, but their demands for a "ministry of confidence" were not received by the Tsar." In late 1915, there was a shortage of food and of coal in the big cities; Alexander Trepov was appointed as crisis manager in the Minister of Railways. Five key ministries would gather on a more regular basis to solve the transport question. In November 1915 Rasputin told Goremykin (or the obstinate Tsar) it was not right not to convene the Duma as all were trying to cooperate; one must show them a little confidence. In January 1916, Rasputin was opposed to the plan to send the old Goremykin away. who had persuaded the Tsar to reject the proposals of the Progressive Bloc for a government of confidence. On 20 January 1916 Boris Stürmer was appointed as Prime Minister "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." According to B. Pares, Stürmer was prepared to pose as a semi-liberal and would try in this way to keep the Duma quiet. The new chairman of the Council was not opposed to the convening of the Duma, as Goremykin had been, and he would launch a more liberal and conciliatory politic. The Duma gathered on 9 February, on the condition not to mention Rasputin. The deputies were disappointed when Stürmer made his indistinct speech. For the first