The current Constitution of the Russian Federation is the fifth in a row. It was adopted in 1993. Previously, the constitutions of 1918, 1925, 1937 and 1978 were in effect. The adoption of each of them determined a new qualitative stage in the development of society and the state.
Instructions
Step 1
The first Russian Constitution was approved in July 1918 at the Fifth All-Russian Congress of Soviets. It was based on the "Declaration of the Rights of the Working and Exploited People", adopted by two congresses earlier. This declaration was included in the constitution in full. The first constitution legalized the "dictatorship of the proletariat." Guaranteed equal rights to citizens regardless of their race and nationality. But not on a class basis. The so-called "exploiting classes" were deprived of voting rights.
Step 2
The second Russian Constitution was adopted at the Twelfth Congress of Soviets in May 1925. Its adoption was due to the entry of the Russian Federation into the newly formed Soviet Union. Bringing the republican legislation in line with the union legislation, first of all, with the USSR Constitution of 1924. The text of the “Declaration of the Rights of the Working and Exploited People” was removed from the new basic law. The wording regarding the suppression and destruction of "parasitic classes" has been softened, and references to the "world revolution" have been excluded. In general, the 1925 Constitution became more legal and less ideologized in comparison with the previous one.
Step 3
The third Russian Constitution, adopted in January 1937 at the Seventeenth Extraordinary All-Russian Congress of Soviets, became even more legally strict. The need for its adoption was caused by the introduction of the 1936 Constitution of the USSR. The third constitution continued to refer to the "dictatorship of the proletariat." But in connection with the building of socialism and the elimination of the exploiting classes, the principle of universal equal suffrage was introduced. Chapters appeared in the Constitution, which spelled out the basic rights and obligations of citizens. The leading role of the Communist Party was legally consolidated.
Step 4
The fourth Russian Constitution was approved by the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR in April 1978, following the replacement of the "Stalinist" constitution of the USSR with the "Brezhnev" one in 1977. Since the entry into the era of "developed socialism" was declared, the concept of "dictatorship of the proletariat" was absent in this constitution. Instead, the national character of the state was asserted. The Fourth Constitution continued to operate until 1993. But its active reform began in 1989. In the last period of its validity, a large number of changes and additions were introduced into it, which almost completely changed its essence.
Step 5
The current Constitution of the Russian Federation was adopted by popular vote in December 1993. The previous constitution by that time could no longer reflect the needs and realities of the new era. The amendments and additions made to it sometimes contradicted each other and led to the political and constitutional crisis of October 1993. The current constitution is fundamentally different from the four constitutions of the Soviet era.
