Government Flashcards
What were Catherine’s aims?
Centralised system of gov. to assimilate all varied faiths
adminstarion and reformity
Why was legal codification desirable?
equality before law
remove conflict law= less confusion and quick justice
what was legal codification?
one uniform legal system
what was Catherine opinion on torture?
condemned it
dislike the knout (form of whipping)
1773 opposed indiscriminate executions
why was progress slow for codification?
law depend of will of autocrat
when was great commission?
dec 1766
what was the great commission?
creation of a legislative commission to codify the laws
what did committee consist of?
assembly respective of department of state
social classesCossack communities
what was important about the role of deputies?
paid salary
granted immunity for capital/corporal punishment
what were the other laws about deputies?
forbidden to voice public grievances or lobby on behalf of thier districts
when resigned could choose replacement
what was the role of the committees ?
provide empress with advice
what was the nakaz?
(1765) instruction for commission
what was the idea of nakaz?
from Enlightenment writers
would’ve liked to abolish serfdom but couldnt to remain on the throne
Who wanted to limit Catherines power?
Nikita Panin –> anxious but wanted to limit power of Orlovs as well
How did Panin limit Catherines powers?
(1762) put forward a plan for a supreme policy-making body, an imperial council and a senate confined to admin.
Catherines reaction and outcome of Panins attempt at reform?
She saw the need for reform but didn’t want authority restrained by the council
(1763) concluded Panin was a minority view
–> dropped council idea and reformed state instead
What was Catherines view of the Senate?
too often strayed from its proper admin. role into realms of legislation and policy
–> taking over sovereigns prerogative
Irritated by internal squabbles
–> Centralised bureaucracy vs for aristocratic interests
What was Catherines reform to the senate?
(1763) divided into 6 departments
–> first 2 covering bulk of admin and judicial matters
–> consider matters allowed by exisiting law and had to reach unanimous desicion (if not go back to full session of senate)
–> if not unanimous goes to Empress
What was effect of senate reform?
releive monarch of routine desicions on minor matters
How was Catherine ensured still in control of senate?
Role of Procurator General made hea of first department and supervised other 5 generalsa
–> replaced Bestuzhev with Panin from College of Froeign affairs
Overall central gov. in Catherine?
a system capable of routine business without the monarch’s direct intervention but ensuring she would have real political power
What did Catherine initial aim for local gov.?
(1763) establishing more personal grip on local admin. while dealing with inflexibility and peculation
How did CAtherine intro. greater uniformity and tackle corruption in local gov.?
(Dec 1763) definining precise duties of each grade of offical
–> raised salaries
What was Catherines principal aim for local gov?
–> greater control over local gov. and further downgrade of power of the senate
–> (April 1764) governors more freedom to act independently and encouraged them to deal with Senate directly
