The publication of the manifesto “On the nobility of liberty” is a short decree of Peter III. This happened in the second half of the 18th century.
Background to the document and publication of the manifesto “On the nobility of liberty”
In the Russian Empire, the formation of new relations in the system of power and the regrouping of aristocratic estates were in full swing. The boyars, which in medieval Russia was the closest group to the rulers, increasingly lost their own positions over the years. The struggle with the nobles lasted several centuries. By the middle of the XVIII century, it became very clear that the nobles (former servants of the boyars' yards) had more and more finally established themselves in a privileged position and legislative consolidation of this fact was necessary. The manifesto “On the nobility of liberty” (year 1762) released the nobles from the obligation to perform public military service. They were allowed to leave the country freely. Although there was a clause that in wartime such a duty still remains. Aristocrats who went abroad during the hostilities in which Russia participated were forced to return and participate in campaigns.
Publication of the manifesto “On the nobility of liberty” and its consequences
The consolidation of the nobility and its final formation as the highest aristocratic stratum of society began even under Peter I. In essence, the publication of the manifesto “On the nobility of liberty” finally completed their respective
legal status. Now the nobility replaced the medieval nobility. The manifesto “On the nobility of liberty” was supplemented during the
reign of Catherine II, when the so-called “Letter of Merit to the Russian Nobility” was published, which further expanded the freedoms and powers of the latter. Now all the noble rights were assigned to them for life and forever and were inherited. All representatives of the estate were equalized among themselves in rights, regardless of the antiquity of the clan and acquired titles. However, these same salaries tied the nobles to tsarist power, made them dependent on it, which, in general, was quite consistent with the processes of absolutism of monarchical power that took place throughout the European continent.
Nobles literally turned
in government officials, filling the bureaucratic apparatus. In addition to the provisions on military service, this document also contained other points. He also enshrined the full and immutable rights of the aristocratic estate on real estate: land plots and estates. Nobles were exempted from any kind of
corporal punishment and any taxes. Formally, the corporate structure of the estate was fixed: noble assemblies were created that had official status in the face of the state. The whole complex of these measures predetermined the main consequence - the formation and strengthening of the estate-representative monarchy in Russia, which at that time was an advanced political device for Europe.