The First Constitution of the USSR: Historical Significance

The USSR Constitution of 1924 is an important legal document that formed a new political and legal entity on the world map that existed about 70 years. It made a great contribution to the historical course of events both for Russia and for the whole world. Its adoption took place in spontaneous and turbulent conditions, but despite this, it was able to lay the foundations for a stable existence. The Constitution of the USSR changed the paradigm of perception not only of political management, but also of other areas of life. It established freedom, equality, cooperation of the people, the principle of national self-determination. At that time, such provisions were very progressive even for international law. This instrument, from a legal point of view, is not unambiguous. Discussions regarding individual issues are ongoing to this day. Thus, disputes over the legal nature of the Agreement on the Formation of the Soviet Union still do not subside. A number of researchers consider it an international legal document. Others talk about its intrastate character, while someone even note its dual character. All these is important to determine the legitimacy of the procedures for accepting and terminating this document. Another controversial issue is the state territorial structure of the Soviet Union. Indeed, it was not directly defined in the 1924 Constitution, and the actual structure of the country did not fall under the criteria of any of the existing forms of device. It was supposed to create a completely new form of government. Nevertheless, at the moment, the prevailing point of view is that the Union was a federation with certain significant features. In this regard, it is also interesting to consider approaches to the sovereignty of the country. The paper carries out a detailed study of the structure and content of this Constitution, gives an assessment of the role of the Constitution in structuring the legal foundations of the Soviet state and its impact on the political and legal development of the country.

1. Karr E. History of the Soviet Russia: Bolshevik Revolution of 1917–1923. Book 1. Vol. 1-2. 3rd ed. Moscow: Progress Publ.; 1990. (In Russ.).

2. Kuznetsova E. Elusory Sovereignty: The Status Quo versus the Ideology of Change. Moscow: Argamak-Media Publ.; 2013. (In Russ.).

3. Novgorodtsev PI. Kant and Hegel in their teachings on law and the State. Moscow: University Publishing House; 1901. (In Russ.).

4. Toporin BN. The new Constitution of the USSR — the constitution of developed Socialism. In: The New Union Treaty: Finding Solutions. Moscow; 1990. (In Russ.).

5. Khasbulatov RI. To the history of the appearance of the first Union Treaty Half-life of the USSR. How the superpower was destroyed. Moscow: Yauza Press; 2011. (In Russ.).

6. Khudoley DM. Sovereignty or Autonomy? Perm State University Herald. Perm; 2011. (In Russ.).