THE CONCEPTS OF “TSAR” AND “LAW” IN THE PETITIONS OF MINING AND METALLURGICAL PEOPLE OF THE URALS IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY

The article analyzes the content and interrelation of concepts “tsar” (and synonymous with it — “monarch”, “sovereign emperor”, etc.) “law” (“decree”, in texts petitions submitted on behalf employees state private mining plants Urals, as well from members their families first half 19th century. source base study comprises more than 170 unpublished identified by author RGIA, RGADA State Archive Sverdlovsk region. authenticity these does not exempt researcher need for a critical analysis content. were written conditions confrontations disputes, so characteristics value judgments them suffer exaggerations. tsar is represented image sacred force main legislator. laws serve an instrument expressing highest just will tsar. However, authors realized that only sovereign. In addition to “decrees His Imperial Majesty”, other legal acts are mentioned petitions, connection which supreme was obvious. Factory regional administrations opposing tsar, petitioners themselves. These allegedly misinterpreted tsarist decrees, manipulated even created own unrighteous “laws”. And if justice power remained unquestionable, its effectiveness caused certain doubts.