From school, we know that the constitution is a kind of agreement between the state and citizens, endowed with the highest legal force over other legislative acts. We turn the pages of history, and consider the oldest constitutions, as the current, non-codified and inactive.
The first sets of laws
The very first legal acts, or rather the codes of laws that formed the legal basis of the state, lost their force as a result of the collapse of state entities. Some of them were not accepted at all.
1
Statute of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. 1529
The first attempt to create a code of laws in the middle of the XIV century was made by Poland, but Lithuania went further, and on September 29, 1529 issued the Statute.
The codification of laws was carried out by personal order of King Sigismund I. Unfortunately, the names of the drafters for posterity were not preserved. Historians and legal scholars believe that this document can be considered the first constitution in history.
The statute has been changed three times. The latest edition, published in 1589, operated on the territory of Lithuania and Western Belarus until 1840.
2
The Constitution of the Zaporizhzhya Army. 1710
After the battle of Poltava, supporters of Ivan Mazepa were forced to flee abroad. Mazepa dies and Philip Orlik was elected exile hetman.
He drew up the Agreement between the hetman and the Cossack foreman, which went down in history as the “Constitution of Philip Orlik”. Under the contract is the date "April 5 days, year 1710", and the place of compilation is the city of Bender.
Orlik hoped that the Treaty would ratify Sweden after winning the Northern War. The provisions of the agreement extended to the Dnieper, but the document never entered into force.
3
Constitution of Corsica. 1755
The Corsican Republic lasted 14 years, and the Constitution adopted in 1755 was in force on its territory.
A special commission was created to create the code of laws, and it was headed by President of the Republic Pascal Paoli. The ideas of the French enlightener Jean-Jacques Rousseau had a great influence on the members of the commission.
The constitution of Corsica became null and void after France annexed the island in 1769. The document, compiled on the principles of the Enlightenment, has become the legal basis for modern democratic societies.
Uncodified Constitutions
On the political map of the world there are countries that are perfectly dispensing with the basic law. In such states, legal norms are based on laws, judicial precedents, legal customs and traditions enshrined in society.
By the way, we advise you to look at interesting material on thebiggest.ru about the largest countries in history.
1
Great Britain
In a country with conservative views and established traditions, there is not even a document that could be called the “Constitution”. But Great Britain is considered the oldest state in history where legal norms have been adopted.
Traditionally, law is based on documents and legal norms adopted in the XIII-XX centuries. First of all, this is the "Magna Carta", adopted in 1215, the "Bill of Rights" in 1689 and others.
Judicial precedents regulate relations in the field of protection of rights and the code of man and citizen.
2
Constitution of San Marino. 1600
The legislative act, which became one of the first constitutions, was adopted on October 8, 1600 by deputies of the Great General Council of the country.
The statute consists of two documents, and was published in 6 books, consisting of many articles and declarations. The very first document regulates relations in the legal sphere and the enforcement of laws. The second part regulated the principles of state structure, and also listed the rights and freedoms of citizens.
The first changes were made in 1906, and in 1974 the document was adopted as law. It can rightfully be considered the Constitution of San Marino, although this word is not present in the title of the document.
Code of laws adopted in the 18th-19th centuries
In this section we will introduce the normative acts adopted by the states under the name “Constitution”. These are the oldest codified and current constitutions.
1
USA. 1787
The U.S. General Act was passed by delegates to the Philadelphia Convention on September 17, 1787. Today it is the oldest constitution, as legal science interprets this document.
All 13 states have ratified it. Then new subjects of the federation joined it, and until today it is the highest legal document of the country.
It then consisted of a preamble and seven articles. In the entire history of the state, only 27 amendments were made, although more than 10 thousand proposals were submitted for consideration.
In 1791, under the influence of the changed conditions, the first 10 amendments were adopted, which were included in a document called the Bill of Rights.
2
Sweden. 1809
The Succession Act, ratified by the Riksdag in September 1810, became Europe's first written constitution. Despite the fact that many changes have been made to the document, it still acts as the basis of the Swedish constitution.
In 1949, the Press Freedom Act was adopted, which also became part of the fundamental law of the Scandinavian state. Major reforms were carried out in the mid-70s of the twentieth century, and new amendments were made to the constitution.
The amendments significantly expanded the rights and freedoms of citizens, and the 1974 amendment allows a woman to take the Swedish throne.
3
Norway. 1814
The constitutional act was passed by the National Assembly in the Norwegian city of Aidswall on May 17, 1814. Norway then resisted Swedish influence, and proclaimed itself an independent state in the act.
The constitution was amended in 1905, 1936, and 1946, and today it consists of 5 articles and 112 paragraphs. An interesting fact is that 112 deputies of the assembly voted for the adoption of the legislative act.
According to the constitution, the king in Norway is only the head of the executive branch, and the parliament exercises not only legislative functions, but also distributes the budget.
4
Netherlands. 1815
Napoleon I actively intervened in the legislation of the Netherlands, and in 1810 he completely proclaimed them part of France. In 1814, the Netherlands became an independent kingdom and adopted the main law of the state.
In its original form, the document lasted until 1848, until the legal status of the state changed from a monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands Statute was adopted in 1959, and it became an integral part of the constitution. Almost completely changed the main law of the country in 1983, making many amendments to the original act.
5
Belgium. 1831
During the revolution, Belgium separated from the Netherlands and, becoming an independent kingdom on February 7, 1831, adopted its constitution.
He approved the articles of the fundamental law of the National Congress, proclaiming Belgium a constitutional monarchy with a unitary structure. The state developed, and gradually the constitution was amended. The powers of the regions and the rights of citizens were expanded.
In 1993, Belgium became a federation, and the basic law was completely redone for the new modern realities. According to article 85, the country remained a monarchy.
6
Argentina. 1853
The oldest Latin American constitution was adopted by Argentina's national convention 37 years after independence.
Throughout the history of the legal document has undergone 5 editions. The last time it was changed in 1994, and the first time it was amended in 1860. Now the main legal act of Argentina consists of 127 articles, and also contains transitional provisions.
In the twentieth century, many military coups took place in Argentina, and every time the fundamental law was amended. TheBiggest wishes good luck to distant friends from Argentina!
7
Luxembourg. 1868
The dwarf state of the world on October 17, 1868 adopts its main law, which completely changes the constitutional system and state system of Luxembourg.
This was the second experience of codifying the laws of the small duchy of Europe. The first constitution was adopted in 1841, and lost its force in connection with the adoption of a new act.
In 1968, the monarch Willem III signed the legislative act, and it entered into force. Throughout history, 26 amendments have been made, the last of which were adopted in 2004.
8
Tonga. 1875
The legal act granted by the monarch of Tonga to the people on November 1, 1875, allowed the country to pursue an independent policy. Tonga was under the protectorate of Britain, and gained independence only in 1970.
The document established a balance between the branches of government, and established the main legal relations. Last edited by 1988.
A document regulating the relationship of government and citizens consists of three parts. According to it, the country was proclaimed and remains a constitutional monarchy.
9
Australia. 1900
Australia’s legislation has come a long way before becoming the country's primary law. In 1898-1900, referenda were held in the territories controlled by the Union, in which the population approved the draft Constitution.
After discussion by the people, it was adopted as a constitutional act of the Australian Union, and on July 9, 1900, it was signed by Queen Victoria II of Great Britain.
The text of the basic law of the southern state was only once amended. In 1969, an article was removed that forbade the natives of Australia to be counted during the census.
Conclusion
There is a paradox in the world. All citizens of the state are aware of the importance of the constitution, but few can literally reproduce its main articles. The texts have changed significantly over time, but this legal act still has important legal and political significance in the life of the state and its citizens. Thebiggest editors ask you to leave a comment under the article, writing your thoughts and any interesting facts about the main legal act of a country. Write what old constitutions have not lost their relevance through the ages. Or maybe you think that the basic law of the country should be rewritten as often as possible so that it reacts as sensitively as possible to changes.
Article author: Valery Skiba