Conditions of Empress Anna Ivanovna

conditions governing the accession to the Russian throne of the duchess of Courland, Anna Ivanovna, that were put forth in 1730 by the Supreme Privy Council.

Anna Ivanovna obligated herself not to marry or designate her successor and to rule with the Supreme Privy Council, without whose agreement she could not declare war or conclude peace treaties; introduce new taxes; make promotions to court ranks or to military ranks higher than colonel and make appointments to any responsible positions; bestow villages or votchiny (patrimonial estates); deprive members of the nobility and gentry of their lives, holdings, or privileges (chest’. “honor”); or spend state resources. The armed forces were made subordinate to the Supreme Privy Council. In case of violation of the conditions the empress was to be removed from the throne. In January 1730, Anna Ivanovna signed the conditions, but on February 25 she repudiated them and on Mar. 4, 1730, abolished the Supreme Privy Council.