In the Russian Republic and the Russian Empire, it also indicates the ratio of seniority of various ranks and the sequence in which ranks are promoted.
It was approved by Peter I in January 1722 and existed until November 1917 with numerous changes. In some territories controlled by the Cossack and White governments, its effect remained until October 1922. There is no law “Table of Ranks” in the Russian Federation.
History of creation
Tsar Peter actively participated in the creation and editing of this law, which was based on borrowings from the list of ranks of the Prussian, French, Danish and Swedish kingdoms. Peter, having personally amended the draft draft, signed it in 1721, but before publication he ordered that this law be submitted for consideration by the Senate.
The contents of the "Table of Ranks" of Tsarist Russia, in addition to the Senate, were also considered in the Admiralty and Military Collegiums, where a number of comments were made on how to place ranks by rank, on salaries, as well as on the introduction of ancient Russian ranks into the table and about eliminating the clause on penalties for occupying a place that was higher than the corresponding rank in the church. All these points were, however, left without further consideration in the law “Table of Ranks” (Russian Empire). Members of the Senate Bruce and Golovkin, as well as Dmitriev-Mamonov and Matyushkin, major generals, took part in drawing up the final version.
"Table of Ranks": how they served the state in Tsarist Russia
On January 24, 1722, the tsar approved the document. All ranks were now divided into the following three types: civil, military and courtiers. They were also included in 14 different classes.
The “Table of Ranks” in Tsarist Russia numbered a total of 263 positions, but then some of them were abolished, and at the end of the 18th century they disappeared completely.
Hereditary nobility
The 14th class (Fendrik, and later, from 1730, ensign) gave a person the right to hereditary nobility, which in the civil service was acquired upon reaching the eighth class (the rank of collegiate assessor), and the 14th (that is, collegiate registrar) gave the right only to the nobility of its bearer.
According to the Manifesto issued on June 11, 1845, hereditary nobility was acquired along with promotion to the 8th class (which corresponded to the rank of staff officer). Born before their fathers received it, children represented a special category. They were called chief officer's children. Moreover, one of them could be granted hereditary nobility at the request of the father.
Changes that occurred later in the "Table of Ranks"
In December 1856, Alexander II, by his decree, limited the subjects of the hereditary nobility to the rank of colonel (this is the 6th class), and in the civil service - the 4th class.
As you can see, the original version that the “Table of Ranks” had in Tsarist Russia changed as a result of reforms over almost two centuries. A number of civil positions turned into titles of civil ranks, regardless of the actual responsibilities of their representatives.
Retired titles
For example, the names secretary,” “state councilor,” “collegiate councilor” initially meant the position performed by a member of the council with a decisive and advisory vote, the secretary of the collegium, as well as the president of the “state” collegium. The chairman of the court court was called the “court councilor.” In In 1726, the above-mentioned courts were abolished, and the name of the rank remained until 1917.
The “Table of Ranks” in Tsarist Russia gave talented people, representatives of the lower classes, the opportunity to advance, including becoming nobility.
Separation of ranks
The ranks were divided into (up to grade 9, that is, the rank of titular adviser/captain inclusive) and general. The ranks of the first two classes (highest generals) were especially distinguished. They were entitled to their own address: for chief officers - “Your Honor”, staff officers had to be called “Your Excellency”, generals - and representatives of the first two classes - “Your Excellency”.
The ranks of the 5th class (state councilor/brigadier) stood apart; they were not classified as either generals or officers; they were entitled to the following address - “your honor.”
Ranks, although this was not specifically stated, were given exclusively to men. Wives entered into the rank corresponding to their husbands, and unmarried girls were considered several ranks lower than their fathers. A rule was also introduced according to which for demanding places and honors above one’s rank during official meetings and public celebrations, a fine was imposed, which was equal to two months’ salary of this person, of which 2/3 of the money was to be received by the informer. The same fine was provided for giving up one's position to a person of lower rank. Livery, crew, lifestyle - everything must be in accordance with the rank held.
Preference for military ranks by Peter I
Peter I, emphasizing in everything his preference for the civilian military, did not want to establish corresponding first-class ranks for persons in the civil service. But, succumbing to Osterman’s persuasion, for reasons of diplomatic prestige, he equated the rank of chancellor (head of some diplomatic department) with him.
The rank of Privy Councilor, First Class, was established only later. Peter's preference was also expressed in the fact that if in the army with the rank of 14th class hereditary nobility was achieved, then in the civil service - only with the rank of collegiate assessor (8th class, staff officer rank). Starting from 1856, for this it was necessary to obtain the rank of general, that is, to become an actual state councilor.
Also indicative in this regard is the rather low rank (not even general) that the president of the “state” college had, that is, the minister, according to European standards.
Subsequently, ministers received the ranks of Privy Councilor and Actual Privy Councilor.
Influence on the nobility and society
With the introduction of this law, the ancient ranks (okolnichy, boyars) were not formally abolished, but since then their appointments have ceased. The “Table of Ranks” had a great influence on the historical destinies of the nobility, as well as on the official routine. Only personal merit became the only regulator of official position. Breed, “fatherly honor” has lost all meaning in this regard. This is the main historical significance of such a document as the “Table of Ranks” in Tsarist Russia.
The military was separated from the court. The acquisition of nobility by grant of the monarch, personal achievement, was legitimized. This generally influenced the democratization of the nobility, the consolidation of its service character, as well as the division of this class into new groups - personal and local.
The rank of the lowest class in military service (14th class, fendrik, and later, from 1730 - ensign) immediately provided the right to acquire nobility for all descendants. Later, with the Manifesto of 1845, it began to be given only to the 8th grade, and in the civil service - to the 5th.
Only people belonging to a noble family could receive the highest military, civil or court rank in Tsarist Russia. However, among the peasants, townspeople and other classes there were many people who were knowledgeable and “necessary” for the tsarist power. The establishment of a table of ranks of the Russian Empire took place, dividing all employees into several classes. How successfully was such a division applied and who could become an adviser to the sovereign.
The table of ranks (as written in the text of the decree) or the table of ranks of the Russian Empire (a more familiar and well-established name among the people) is a clearly structured listing of positions, where all military, civilian and court positions are indicated or the name of the law itself on the ranking of civil servants.
How many classes were there? The list included 14 class levels and 263 positions. There was also one status - Knight of St. Andrew, which was awarded to those who served in the ground forces and whose position corresponded to 3rd class.
Over time, the table was redone several times, some ranks were introduced, others were excluded. In one of the first editions you can see many points and sub-points under each level.
Main provisions
The report card was created at the beginning of the 18th century. Peter the Great signed the decree on January 24 (February 4), 1722. The document was called “Table of ranks of all military, civil and court ranks.”
The document was subject to consideration in two boards:
- the Admiralty, where Senator Golovkin was authorized;
- military, where Major Generals Matyushkin and Mamonov were in charge.
Next, a description of the table of ranks will be given. Let us briefly list the main provisions of the document, which provided the opportunity for all representatives of any class to advance in their careers, regardless of the nobility of their family.
In addition to the ranking, there were also basic provisions (explanatory points) that could not be violated:
- If the official belonged to the princes of the imperial blood, then, regardless of any position, he could preside over everyone. This was the only exception to the rules, since the report card was adopted by Peter I specifically so that all civil servants would receive their positions not because of their “breed,” but according to their merits to the Fatherland.
- All the king's employees could be fined for demanding honors inappropriate for their rank at official meetings. For example, it was forbidden to take a seat that was not yours at the royal dinner or in the theater box. You cannot demand to be treated differently or give up your seat to a person of lower position.
- The fine for violations was equal to two months' salary. A third of these funds were sent to the informer who complained about the violator, and the rest went to support hospitals and clinics. Not only the officials themselves were fined, but also their wives and heirs.
- This decree helped representatives of all classes, who, although of low origin, were useful in public service and talented in many royal assignments.
- Foreign officials received the same position that they had in their native country only after they became useful to Peter, and he noted them as excellent specialists. It was important not only to confirm your position with good work, but also to prove yourself as a valuable employee in the Russian Empire.
- The heirs or sons of titled officials had free access to the entire court society, as well as to various assemblies. However, the father's privileges were not inherited by the children until they showed talents and acquired merit to the Fatherland.
- Civilian or military positions were awarded only on the basis of length of service or merit.
- Any official had to maintain an appropriate crew and livery. And naturally, the collegiate secretary could not ride out in a six-wheeler in a train, like a state councilor. In Peter’s times, this would have been equated to a violation, and the official would have been fined.
- If an official committed a crime, he was subject to public punishment in the square. Most often - torture or execution. Naturally, after such a royal decision, the position was removed from the person, and the most malicious violators, even if they were left alive, were deprived of their title, property and sent into exile.
- The wives of officials had the same position as their husbands. And the daughters of officials are 4 steps lower than their father.
- After receiving rank 8 in the civil service or at court, you can already apply for inclusion in the senior nobility. In this case, origin did not play a role.
- In military service, hereditary or senior nobility was assigned after the issuance of the first chief officer's place or 6th level, when the employee became Chief Kriegskomissar, which could not be said about civil and court positions.
Take note! Peter I always gave preference to military positions, because he himself was, first of all, a military leader, and only then a Russian Tsar.
For a long time there were no civilians in the highest first class. However, his adviser Osterman persuaded the tsar to make “diplomatic” adjustments and make the rank of chancellor - a representative of the first class of civil ranks. Later, a new name was introduced - state councilor of the 1st class.
Naturally, the list of all positions became very popular, and many dreamed of taking a higher rank in order to gain access to the many privileges that this decree opened.
The simplest career ladder was the civil service, which was ranked as follows (naturally, everyone started at step 14, that is, from the very bottom of this list):
- Chancellor, Actual Privy Councilor 1st Class.
- Actual Privy Councilor.
- Privy Councilor (from 1724)
- Privy Councilor (1722-1724), actual state councilor, chief ceremonial master.
- State Councilor, Master of Ceremonies, Privy Chamberlain.
- Collegiate owl.
- Nadvorny owl.
- Collegiate Assessor.
- Titular owl.
- Collegiate Secretary.
- Ship's
- Provincial.
- Cabinet registrar, provincial secretary, senate and synod registrar.
- Collegiate registrar, collegiate cadet, city secretary.
Important! There was also a special statutory address to the representative of the corresponding position.
In the table of ranks, civil ranks differed in the form of address. Officials of grades 1-2 were called Your Excellency, grades 3-4 - Your Excellency, representatives of the 5th grade - Your Excellency, representatives of grades 6-8 were called Your Excellency, the rest (from grades 9 to 14) heard the address addressed to them - Your Honor.
Establishment and repeal of the decree
Peter the Great personally controlled the adoption and editing of the document and chose the job titles 
and classes from the list of ranks of the French, Prussian, Swedish and Danish kingdoms.
When establishing this decree, the ancient Russian official positions were taken into account and the statutory provisions proposed by other states were adjusted so that the decree was suitable specifically for Russian reality.
For example, Peter abolished the fine if in a church someone accidentally took a seat in the front, right in front of the altar, where only senior officials were supposed to be present.
The decree was abolished in March 1917. First, court positions were eliminated with the fall of the institution of royal power. Then, in November of the same year, after the issuance of the Decree on the abolition of all classes, civil positions ceased to exist. Military ranks were abolished in December, and in the navy - in January 1918.
Note! A separate story happened with the Cossacks, where the bureaucracy continued to exist until 1922, because for a very long time the Cossack government did not obey Soviet laws.
Over time, ranks began to be used again in modern Russia. For example, in justice, military and civil services.
Advantages and disadvantages
The table of ranks and its significance for Russian society were significant. The list of classes was valid for two hundred years and was constantly modified with the introduction of reforms. Some ranks were abolished, as the institution itself was closed, for example, the mining ranks and the mining department, which existed only until 1834 and was militarized.
Accordingly, such ranks as mechanicus (captain), berg-meister (major) or, for example, berg-probier (ensign) were reclassified as military.
Or there was the opposite situation, when the title of, for example, court councilor, was awarded before 1917, that is, in fact, before the February Revolution, and there was no trace of the court court itself; it was abolished in 1726. The position continued to be assigned to employees.
This decree fundamentally changed the entire state electorate. Every talented person, of any blood and class, could become an adviser to the sovereign, as a result of which the noble class was democratized.
Another advantage was that the nobility became more involved in state affairs, since the nobles were now always in the service and brought a lot of benefit to the Fatherland, rather than leading an idle and luxurious life in their estates.
The downside was the division of the nobility into personal and hereditary, when representatives of the latter type did not want to have any connections with those who came “from rags to riches.” However, such things were severely fined by the tsar himself, who always saw in people, first of all, intelligence, strength and talent, and only then origin.
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Conclusion
Thus, the decree on ranking adopted by Peter I became a landmark moment in history. 14 classes and 263 positions made it possible to occupy any level of government solely because of personal talent and services to the Tsar and the Fatherland.
The military were valued much higher than civilians and courtiers. Peter the Great provided the opportunity to receive personal nobility for representatives of any class who had reached the sixth grade in military service and the eighth grade in civil and court service.
The Table of Ranks (Petrine Table of Ranks) is a document regulating the procedure for performing state and military service in the Russian Empire.
The table of ranks was approved on January 24, 1722 by the emperor himself and existed until November 1917, and in some territories until 1922. During its existence, the document was constantly replenished and adjusted in accordance with the realities of the time.
The main idea of the Table of Ranks was to create a document that would contain a single, ordered system of ranks existing in the state. The ranks were classified, described and systematized in accordance with ranks (by seniority).
The history of the creation of the Table of Ranks of the Russian Empire
The idea of creating such a document belonged to Peter the Great himself, who took a personal part in its preparation. Similar documents from the leading world powers (France, Sweden, Prussia and Denmark) were taken as a basis. Based on them, the commission created a draft, which was sent to the emperor for signing. Peter personally edited the draft and ordered it to be submitted to the Senate, Military and Admiralty boards for consideration. Certain amendments were made to the document, but during the final consideration Peter the Great did not accept them.
Contents of the Table of Ranks of Tsarist Russia
The table of ranks is a detailed description of all existing ranks. At the beginning there is a table in which all ranks are described and divided according to classes and ranks. After the tables there is a description of salaries, the procedure for assigning a rank and its inheritance, as well as much more, up to the correct address to an official of a particular rank.
All ranks were divided into three types: court, military and civil - and only then distributed by class. There were 14 classes in total, from highest to lowest. The higher the class (rank), the more privileges the official had. A total of 263 positions were described, but later some of them were abolished.
It is worth noting that the ranks were not simply described, but compared with each other. A state councilor (civil service) was equal in rights to a captain-commander or brigadier (military service). The remaining ranks were described in a similar way, but military ranks always had a slight advantage over civilian ones, and people occupying these positions were more likely to rise through the ranks.
The document also described court ranks that were given not only to men, but also to women.
The meaning of the Table of Ranks
The document was created in order to systematize and streamline the civil service and make the assignment of ranks and titles simpler and clearer.
The appearance of such a document significantly simplified the civil service and made it more transparent. It described the old Russian ranks, but they stopped giving them, which meant that Russia was finally freed from the structure and order of Muscovite Rus' and switched to a new type of government.
The main significance of the Table of Ranks of 1722 was that the chances of obtaining a title and promotion no longer depended solely on the nobility of the family. A person’s personal service now stood higher than the nobility of his parents, and this completely changed the usual order accepted in Rus'. Now not only a noble person, but also a commoner could achieve success, and his children and grandchildren had the opportunity to later receive a noble title, especially with regard to military service. Nobles were now divided into hereditary (noble families) and personal (those who rose to the title of nobility).
The table of ranks of Peter the Great finally divided the entire service into military, civil and court, which had not happened before.
In modern Russia there is a similar document. It presents a table of the ratio of class ranks of the federal state civil service, military ranks, members of justice and prosecutors.
report card legal rank historical
For the development of the civil service of the Russian Empire, a number of events were especially important, of which it is necessary to highlight the adoption of the “Table of Ranks” law brought from the West on January 24, 1722, which streamlined the hierarchy of positions, made civilian, military and court ranks comparable, and created a coherent system of service to the sovereign , as well as the Peace of Nishtat, according to which the Baltic (Baltic Sea) provinces became part of the Russian Empire, preserving their method of government, which marked the beginning of the formation of federalism in its modern Russian understanding.
The development of the civil service in Russia proceeded with the active use of foreign experience. Actually, in the Western image and likeness, “colleges” were formed, subsequently ministries, management levels and the responsibilities of officials were distributed.
A peculiarity of the organization of the civil service in a class society was that only nobles were accepted into its highest positions (with rare exceptions, which only emphasized this rule), and also, by order of the emperor, foreigners who in their careers reached the highest positions often concentrated in their hands enormous administrative power. There were especially many foreigners, Germans, first of all, in the court service, as well as in the army. Since the middle of the 19th century, more and more people from the German principalities have been occupying civil positions.
The Table of Ranks, published on January 24, 1722, was important in strengthening the legal status of the nobility and strengthening the dictatorship of the nobility. It contained a list of military ranks: naval, land, artillery, guards; as well as civil and courtiers (Appendix 1). The ranks established for different departments were divided into XIV classes. Service had to start from the lower ranks.
Even with the abolition of localism (1682), personal merit and suitability for service were given preference over breed and nobility of origin. Localism, however, lived in the concepts of society, and in practice it continued to be taken into account. But if before it contradicted the interests of the state, now, above all, it sharply diverged from the new view that Peter strenuously instilled in his subjects, namely: the right to first place and honor belongs to those who fulfill their primary duty - zealously serving the state. A decisive blow to localism was dealt by the Table of Ranks (1722, January 24). She created 14 classes - 14 different ranks in the naval, civil and court service, a new ladder of ascension according to merit. From then on, the line between employee and non-employee was defined even more sharply: nobility began to be achieved by length of service, and not by breed. A non-nobleman, having risen to the rank of officer and, therefore, becoming a hereditary nobleman, became superior to a service man who had not received the rank of officer. The new order had the good side that, having made seniority accessible to everyone, it renewed the noble class constantly with fresh forces and did not allow it to become isolated in a separate caste.
The equation according to the Table of Ranks of military service with civilian service led to some strengthening of the state apparatus with more capable personnel. The terms of service in a certain rank were established. Persons who rose to the ranks of the VIII class became hereditary nobles, while the ranks from the XIV to the IX classes gave only personal nobility. The opportunity was created for capable people from other classes to become nobles, which, of course, did not undermine the class noble basis of the state. As a rule, they received estates along with their ranks. In this way, the class of nobles was replenished, whose interests the new nobles defended in every possible way. Instead of the previous division into boyars, okolnichys, stolniks, etc. new things were introduced.
All leading positions in the state apparatus were occupied by nobles.
In the interests of the ruling class and strengthening the state apparatus, Peter I carried out a number of measures that met with opposition from a certain part of the nobility.
Thus, the decrees of Peter I required that nobles undergo military service, starting with the rank of soldier. Later, as is known, nobles circumvented this rule by enrolling their young children in the service. Those found guilty of evading service were severely punished. Periodically, reviews were held at which underage nobles were assigned to schools and enrolled in military and civilian service. They were sent abroad for training. Fines were imposed on parents for failure to educate their children. It was forbidden for a nobleman to marry without studying the principles of geometry, etc. The state had to resort to such measures in order to raise the general cultural level of the nobility.
It should be noted that Anna Ioanovna somewhat eased their situation by limiting their service to 25 years and attributing its beginning to the age of 20. She also allowed one of the sons or brothers in the noble family to stay at home and take care of the house.
Isaev I.A. notes that military ranks (there are 14 of them, as well as civilian ones) were preferable to civil and court ranks; The highest military rank of field marshal did not correspond to any civilian rank. Those who rose to the eighth rank were ranked among the hereditary nobility (“pillars”) with the right to pass the rank on to their children. The charter granted to the nobility in 1785 extended this right to personal nobles whose father and grandfather also had personal nobility.
To manage the affairs of the noble class under the Senate in 1722, the position of a herald master was established, who supervised the compilation of noble lists and the training of minor nobles.
According to the Table of Ranks, the title “nobility” was given to all ranks up to chief officer. The entire class was defined as “noble” in 1754 and finally approved in this title in 1762 (Manifesto).
Since 1797, a general code of noble coats of arms began to be compiled.
With the introduction of the Table of Ranks on January 24, 1722, the principle of priority of nobility and birth when occupying positions forever gave way to the principle of personal service, which led to a simplification of the vassalage system and the transformation of nobles into direct subjects of the monarch. The social structure of the upper class was now built not according to the genealogy of family surnames, but in accordance with the ranks and favor of the emperor, who abolished the boyar rank, began to elevate courtiers to princely dignity in his own name, introduced count and baronial titles, streamlined the use of family coats of arms, founded the first Russian Order of St. Andrew the First-Called and ordered “noble nobility to be counted according to suitability.” Rank, as the main indicator of the successful service and favor of the monarch, acquired extreme significance, subordinating to its influence all social spheres of a person’s existence, including even everyday life and private human relationships. The number of horses in the carriage, the liveries of the footmen, a place in the church, an invitation to a public assembly, the outfits of the wife and daughters of a serving nobleman, etc. - everything was determined by his bureaucratic status. The demand for “honor above one’s rank” became the subject of denunciation and was subject to a fine, which stimulated the respect of subjects for bureaucratic subordination. At the same time, “ambition and vanity” in the struggle for ranks were encouraged in every possible way by promotions, awards, and titles. In conditions of low literacy even among the nobility, Peter I was forced to declare that obtaining an education was also a strict duty and at the same time a privilege of the Russian nobility. The nobility of the upper echelons of the bureaucracy and the army, a certain level of enlightenment, strengthened the social ambition of the upper class, which “is different from meanness for the sake of service.” At the same time, it was the Table of Ranks that gave people from the merchant class, commoners, and townspeople a chance to receive personal or even hereditary nobility, which also greatly increased the prestige of public service.
The meaning of compulsory service and at the same time the privileges of the nobility was associated with the fundamental values of Russian historical consciousness, of which the central image was the monarch, personifying power, the state and its growing foreign policy power.
Murashev G.A. notes that a strict hierarchy was supposed to help strengthen discipline and subordination, on the one hand, and serve as an incentive to create conditions for advancement up the career ladder in accordance with abilities and merits to the Fatherland, on the other. Moreover, during the time of Peter I there was unprecedented democracy in matters of assigning the next title. Thus, the archives tell us that when discussing a candidate for the next military rank, out of two candidates the team chose the wrong one for whom the tsar spoke. Peter I was indignant and nevertheless awarded the title to the very person for whom the team spoke.
In the state, especially in the army, a certain number of high positions were established, and they could only be filled if there was a vacancy. Today, recalling an episode from the recent past, when the President, by one Decree, awarded 500 colonels the rank of generals, one can only shrug. Thousand-year history does not know anything like this. According to the Table of Ranks, military, civil and court ranks were divided into 14 classes. The highest was 1st class. Military ranks consisted of four categories: land, guards, artillery and naval. At the same time, the ranks in the guard were a class higher. For example, the rank of guard colonel was equivalent to the rank of general of infantry, artillery, and later cavalry.
The ranks of the civil service meant positions that were provided for in government institutions, as well as a few honorary titles that were not directly related to positions or specific responsibilities. In particular, we are talking about the titles of secret and actual secret councilor.
Each class was required to serve a certain minimum period of time. In the lower classes - 3-4 years. At the same time, for special merits, as well as in the presence of a vacancy, the service life could be shortened. Since there were always much fewer senior positions than lower ones, it was allowed, after the expiration of the term, to assign the next title with retention in the previous position. At all times and in all states, the concept of patronage existed, when an influential person helped a relative or good friend to take a higher position or sought to assign him another rank, be it in the army or in the civil service. However, during the times of Peter I and Catherine II, responsible bosses ensured that appointments and assignments were carried out fairly. On this occasion, on February 15, 1742, a law was even passed obliging “...promotion to ranks according to seniority and merit.” On January 13, 1753, this law was updated and confirmed. Apparently, the situation with the assignment of titles was not always normal, if in a decade and a half the law on justice was adopted twice. True, in both cases a reservation was made in the sense that persons who had exceptional services to the Fatherland could receive another rank, bypassing those who had served their term. This law, by the way, is still in effect today. And today, and this is fair, for military merits an officer can receive an extraordinary military rank or promotion. This is done, as in ancient times, at the “highest” discretion. Peter I was faced with the fact that with the introduction of reforms he was forced to appoint people to positions who did not have time to serve their term. But, when appointing to a high position, he nevertheless did not provide the benefits that a person who served the established term received.
Persons of non-noble origin promoted to class XIV received personal nobility; those promoted to class VIII received hereditary nobility.
Gradually, a title system developed. Thus, persons of classes IX-XIV were called “your honor”, persons of classes VI-VIII - “your honor”, persons of class V - “your honor”, classes III-IV - “your excellency”, classes I-II - “your Your Excellency."
Rank in Russia, be it military, civil or spiritual, over time became the basis of success. Receiving the next rank allowed one to count on promotion and receiving an order. This especially became widely applicable under Paul I. The magazine “Russian Antiquity” for 1899 directly says that during the reign of Paul I “...everything depended on rank...”. It did not ask what a person could do or what he had already done. The main thing is what his rank is. What is the rank - such is the position in society. Moreover, if from service, meaning civilian, the boss could dismiss a subordinate without giving a reason, then the rank could only be selected by court.
Let's consider some of the norms enshrined in the Table of Ranks of 1722.
“The sea and land in command are determined as follows: whoever is of the same rank with whom, although older in rank, at sea commands the sea over the land, and on land the land over the sea” (Article 2).
“The military ranks who rise to the rank of chief officer are not from the nobility; then when someone receives the above rank, it is the Nobleman and his children who will be born in the Chief Officership; and if at that time there are no children, but there were before, and the father beats him with his forehead, then the nobility should be given to those, only one son, for whom the father asks. Other ranks, both civil and courtiers, who are not from the Nobles in the Ranks, their children are not Nobles” (Article 15).
Thus, the Table of Ranks established a strict hierarchy of civil service ranks, which promoted discipline and organization.
Let us consider in more detail the civil, court, and military ranks.
The introduction of the “Table of Ranks” was a progressive measure, creating an incentive for officials to perform exemplary service and opening up the opportunity for promotion for people from unprivileged classes. In general, the “Table of Ranks” was of a class nature; it contributed to the strengthening of the feudal-serf system in Russia, and met the interests of the nobility and the emerging bourgeoisie in the country. The “Table of Ranks” reveals to us a system of not only ranks, but also titles. There is a difference between them. Chin comes from the word “repair” - to do. The title was awarded to members of the Emperor's Retinue. And although rank and title are close in themselves, they are still not the same thing, so let’s talk a little more about ranks and separately about titles. It should be noted that the “Table of Ranks” was not born out of nowhere. When Peter was abroad, he looked closely and studied the organization of troops, the peculiarities of the structure of units, the system of subordination of juniors to seniors. By 1672, some ranks had already been introduced in the Russian army for all branches of the military, namely: colonel, lieutenant colonel (assistant colonel), captain (company commander), lieutenant (mission officer, assistant captain), ensign (standard bearer, from the word "ensign" banner) and sub-ensign (assistant ensign, not an officer).
The rank of general in the Russian army was first awarded in 1667 to the commander of the Moscow elective regiment A.A. Shepelev. And in 1698, with the division of regiments into battalions, a new position and a new rank appeared - battalion commander, major. This rank was consolidated in 1711. Peter I already had an idea about ranks and their benefits in the army.
Let's move on to consider the court ranks enshrined in the Table of Ranks of 1722.
Court officials, both military and civilian, were divided into 14 classes. The most important advantage of court ranks was considered to be that their holders had the opportunity for constant and close communication with representatives of the royal family and often had friendly relations with them. They took part in all court ceremonies, they were given special elegant uniforms, and some ranks were also given special insignia. Thus, chief chamberlains and mergers received keys: the first of them were gold, studded with diamonds, which were worn on the side - “on the right side, on a gold cord”, the second were gold, worn on the Andreevsky blue lek, tied with a bow on the left side near the valve .
Let us consider the organization of civil ranks according to the Table of Ranks of 1722.
With the publication of the Table of Ranks on January 24, 1722, complications arose in the civil service. There were many positions, but there were few people who managed to serve the established terms by the time they were awarded the rank. In addition, it was believed that a civil service official should serve longer than a military official, which is fair. But what to do in a situation where, due to a significant expansion of the civil department, many officials were needed? And Peter I allowed the assignment of ranks to those who deserved them. And even for those who had no rank before. It was a real revolution, but Peter boldly went for it, realizing that otherwise the reforms would drag on for many years. He was aware that in this case, by hook or by crook, mediocre individuals could slip into high positions. But the time required a bold decision, and he made it. And I must say that basically the decision justified itself. Talented young leaders took up official positions and significantly advanced the entire state.
Naturally, the new matter did not stand still, and Peter, on May 7, 1724, made changes to the corresponding regulations on the civil service. Thus, he orders privy councilors to be promoted to class III, and class V to be promoted to rank. Empress Elizabeth, by Decree of June 23, 1745, legitimizes the ranks of collegiate councilor, court councilor, and collegiate assessor; transfers the rank of court councilor from class VI to class VII; confirms the sequence of service in each rank. On September 13, 1760, it was decided to assign regular ranks to those for whom there was no vacancy based on length of service. And it was wise. A civilian could remain in the same position for decades. To spend decades in the lowest rank until old age was simply indecent. But having received the next rank, the person calmed down and continued to work just as conscientiously in his previous position.
Before the Decree of Catherine II of December 16, 1790, in order to receive a rank, persons of non-noble origin were required to serve from 10 to 12 years. And only then, and even with certain merits, could a non-nobleman receive the rank of XIV class. Catherine allowed the conferment of rank after three years, and subsequently also every three years up to and including VIII class. VIII class, as stated earlier, gave the right to hereditary nobility. Under Paul I, high ranks were assigned at the discretion of the emperor. But, of course, still for special merits. Although let’s say frankly that special merits could have been eavesdropping, snooping, etc. But. own hand lord. I turn what I want. Under Paul I, and even under Catherine II, the Senate often intervened in the matter of assigning the next rank. When it was necessary to appoint a person to a higher position who had a rank two or three classes lower than the new position, the decision of the Senate assigned the corresponding rank. And it turned out that a person, having, for example, the rank of VIII class, received the rank of V class. Nevertheless, on June 2, 1808, this practice was put to an end. The Emperor saw in the decisions of the Senate an attack on his monarchical power. But in order not to completely block the promotion of talented leaders beyond the established deadlines, he allowed the submission of petitions for awarding ranks, again for special merits, at his discretion.
Over time, the question arose about the names of the ranks. Civil ranks were called Unterstättälter, Ekonomicaltälter, Regirungsrät, Ober-Directors and the like. These ranks resembled military ones. And the population willingly used them, because the authority of the army official was high at all times. Looking ahead, I will say that subsequently individual civil officials demanded to call themselves generals, although in the civil department they were listed as advisers. For example, an actual privy councilor, a privy councilor, an actual state councilor. This was especially true for those who transferred to the civil service from officers.
Yushkov S.V. notes that transformations within the nobility influenced changes in genealogy and the system of social etiquette. Genealogy before 1682 was based on localism. Instead of old titles (princes), new ones are introduced. Counts and barons were added to the illustrious princes and dukes. The system of social etiquette established by Peter I lasted in Russia until the end of 1917.
Thus, in the 1st quarter of the 18th century. The social support of absolutism was formed, which predetermined the irreversibility of Peter’s transformations. A single Russian nobility was formed - a privileged class, which differed qualitatively and quantitatively from the service people of the late 17th century. (after the death of Peter 1, there were over 100 thousand noble families). A professional officer corps and bureaucracy were formed.
Thus, the Table of Ranks of 1722 played an important role in the development of the state and law. It should be noted that the Table of Ranks established military, court and civil ranks and classes. Each rank and class had its own characteristics, which affected both the employee himself and his family. It should be noted that the legal status of the employee depended directly on the class and rank of the civil servant.
26. Change in the legal status of estates. Table of ranks of Peter I
During this period, the state strives for legal regulation of all classes: nobility, clergy, peasants, urban population.
The basis of the legal position of the nobles is the monopoly right to land property. The Decree (On Single Inheritance" of 1714 not only equalized the rights of estates and patrimony, but also turned estates into the hereditary property of nobles. The Decree on the Poll Census of 1718 secured the right of nobles to pay taxes.
The legal status of the nobility was significantly changed by the adoption of the Decree on Single Inheritance 1714 This act had several consequences: Legal merger such forms of land ownership, as patrimony and estate, led to the emergence of a single concept of “real estate”. On its basis, the consolidation of the class took place. The emergence of this concept led to the development of more precise legal techniques, the development of the powers of the owner, and the stabilization of obligations.
Establishment of the Institute majorate(inheritance of real estate by only one eldest son), the purpose of which was to preserve the landed property of the nobility from fragmentation, was not determined by the traditions of Russian law. The implementation of the new principle led to the emergence of significant groups of landless nobility, forced to take military or civil service. This provision of the Decree caused the greatest discontent on the part of the nobles (it was abolished already in 1731). Having transformed estate into hereditary land tenure, At the same time, the decree found a new way to tie the nobility to public service - limiting the circle of heirs forced the nobles to serve for a salary. A large bureaucratic apparatus and a professional officer corps began to form very quickly.
The logical continuation of the Decree on Single Inheritance was Table of ranks. Its adoption (1722) indicated the emergence of a number of new circumstances:
Bureaucratic beginning in the formation of the state apparatus, the aristocratic (associated with the principle of localism) undoubtedly won. Professional qualities, personal dedication and length of service became the determining factors for promotion.
The positive features of the new bureaucratic apparatus were professionalism, specialization, and normativity; the negative features were its complexity, high cost, self-employment, and inflexibility.
Formulated by the Table of Ranks new rank system and positions legally formalized the status of the ruling class. His service qualities were emphasized: any highest rank could be awarded only after passing through the entire chain of lower ranks. Terms of service in certain ranks were established. Upon reaching the ranks of the eighth class, the official was awarded the title of hereditary nobleman, and he could pass on the title by inheritance; from the fourteenth to the seventh grade, the official received personal nobility. The principle of seniority thereby subordinated the aristocratic principle.
Table of ranks equalized military service with civilian service: ranks and titles were awarded in both areas, the principles of promotion were similar. Practice has developed a way to move up the ladder of official ranks in an accelerated manner (this mainly applied only to nobles): after birth, the children of aristocratic nobles were registered for office and, upon reaching the age of 15, had a fairly important rank. Such a legal fiction was due to remnants of the old principles of service and was based on the actual dominance of the noble aristocracy in the apparatus.
Personnel training for the new state apparatus began to be carried out in special schools and academies in Russia and abroad. The degree of qualification was determined not only in rank, but also education, special training. The education of noble minors was often carried out compulsorily (penalties were imposed for evasion of studies). Children of nobles were assigned to study; many personal rights (for example, the right to marry) depended on their level of training.
During the period of absolutism, the process of nationalization of the church took place. The clergy was an important political force in the country. It was divided into black (monastic) and white (serving in churches). The church reform begun by Peter I did not live up to his expectations. In the first quarter of the 18th century. transformations were carried out, indicating the initial phase of secularization. Since 1722, strict rules for entering the clergy have been established.
The bulk of the population were feudal-dependent peasants. They were divided into landowner, state, possession and palace.
Economic development contributed to the separation of traders and moneylenders from among the peasantry. But the bulk of the peasants bore duties in favor of the owner in the form of corvee or quitrent. Every year the peasants sent one recruit from 20 households. In addition, they worked on the construction of cities and shipyards. In 1718, the poll tax was introduced, which eliminated such a category of the population as free and walking people.
The distinction between serfs and peasants is erased. The landowners had broad powers in relation to the peasants; moreover, they disposed of them as their own property. By decree of 1767, peasants were forbidden to complain about their landowners under threat of corporal punishment and hard labor. The state was also feudally dependent. peasants.
In 1721, merchants were allowed to buy villages (with peasants) and assign them to manufactories; This is how possessional peasants appeared. As a result of the secularization of church lands, state lands arose. peasants who paid rent to the state. Palace (from 1797 - appanage) peasants belonged to the imperial family.
Cities developed as centers of trade and industrial production. The state, interested in overcoming the economic backwardness of the country, provided various benefits. Owners of manufactories received a particularly privileged position.
The townspeople elected their own bodies of self-government - magistrates. In addition, there was a town meeting (population meeting). According to the regulations of the Chief Magistrate of 1721, the townspeople were divided into noble, regular citizens (who were divided into 2 guilds) and “vile people.”
Leading positions were occupied by large merchants.
Published in 1785, “The Charter on the Rights and Benefits of the Cities of the Russian Empire” divided the urban population into 6 categories: “real” urban inhabitants, merchants of all 3 guilds, artisans enrolled in guilds, foreigners and nonresidents enrolled in the burghers, eminent townspeople, the rest of the townspeople.
The burghers made up the majority of the urban population and were a tax-paying class. The townspeople had their own class court and local government bodies - a common city duma.
Table of ranks
The list of ranks on January 24, 1722, the table of ranks, introduced a new classification of serving people. All the newly established positions - all with foreign names, Latin and German, except for a very few - are arranged according to the table in three parallel rows: military, civil and courtier, with each divided into 14 ranks, or classes. A similar ladder with 14 levels of ranks was introduced in the navy and court service. This founding act of the reformed Russian bureaucracy put the bureaucratic hierarchy, merit and length of service, in the place of the aristocratic hierarchy of breed, pedigree book. In one of the articles attached to the table, it is emphasized with emphasis that the nobility of the family in itself, without service, means nothing, does not create any position for a person, people of a noble breed are not given any position until they show merit to the sovereign and the fatherland.
The introduction of a table of ranks was one of the most important government reforms. This innovation radically undermined the importance of nobility in the civil service. Since the introduction of the table of ranks, civil servants achieved high ranks only through personal merit, and not through birth into a noble family.
TYPES OF OFFICES: military, naval, courtier, civilian (civilian). “It is by no means a nobleman to become an officer” from the 8th rank of civil service and from the 14th military rank hereditary nobility was given.