The Senate in Russia replaced the Boyar Duma.It was created as the supreme body of government, endowed with broad powers, up to the adoption of laws. Emperor Peter the Great, as is well known, very often left the capital, handing over this time the government of the country to certain faithful confidants, who were supposed to solve issues of national importance in his absence. Traveling, the king became acquainted with the traditions of European countries in the conduct of domestic policy, the management of foreign monarchs of their states. The establishment of the Senate was another of his attempts to bring Russia closer to Europe. In addition, such a body was very useful for governing the country. The date of its establishment is considered to be February 22, 1711.
Initially, the Senate was created as the highestgovernment body at the time of the absence of the emperor. All persons entering it were appointed by Peter himself. These were, as a rule, his confidants: Prince Golitsyn, Count Musin-Pushkin, Prince Dolgoruky. The Emperor appointed Secretary-General of the Senate Anisim Schukin, whose duties now included the charge of the imperial office and overseeing order during the Senate meetings. Over time, a system of institutions under his jurisdiction was created around the Senate. The role of an intermediary between the dominant governing body and the provinces of the country was carried out by commissioners (two people from each). Their responsibility was to monitor the execution of decrees adopted by the Senate, as well as the execution of his instructions directly on the ground.
Although the Senate institutionInitially, it was a temporary measure of state administration, after the emperor’s permanent absences from the country ceased to exist, the role of this body not only did not decrease, but also increased significantly.
The activities of the Senate itself extended toall spheres of life of the population of the country. From now on, he could appoint all civilian and military posts, manage the military estate, keep records of persons hiding from military service, and recruit recruits for the Russian army. In order to conduct the affairs of the service class in 1722, a new post was established under the Senate - the herald master. A special role in the main state body was assigned to the so-called fiscal authorities, who were responsible for supervising everything that happens in the country, solving crimes and exposing their perpetrators at the trial.
The establishment of the Senate envisaged the creation of a singlefull state body in charge of which is all the internal policy of the country. Its creation was an important step towards the birth of a new legal procedure in Russia. Thus, in 1722, the Prosecutor’s Office was established under the Senate. The activities of this institute went far beyond its scope and extended to all central and local judicial and administrative institutions. The highest position under the Prosecutor’s Office belonged to the Prosecutor General, his assistant was the Ober Prosecutor. If previously the unjust actions of the senators could be appealed, appealing directly to the sovereign himself, then from 1714 such complaints began to be punished with the death penalty. Thus, the establishment of the Senate contributed to the formation of a separate institution of power capable of making important decisions for the country without the presence of the emperor himself.
The main seat of senators onFor several years, Moscow remained, and since 1714, this management body has moved to Petersburg, which was recently erected on the banks of the Neva River, which has become its main location and activity.
The creation of the Senate was only the first step towardsorganization by the emperor of a powerful apparatus of governing the country. It was followed by the formation of collegiums, the introduction at the court of the post of procurator-general, the establishment of the famous Table of Ranks, the issuance of a decree on uni-inheritance, etc.
