Historical Encyclopedia
Kazakhstan has a long and diverse history, which includes many important documents that play a key role in the development of the country. These documents reflect the major events in the political, economic, and cultural life of the Kazakh people, as well as the formation of its modern state structure. This article examines the most famous historical documents of Kazakhstan that have left a mark on the country's history and played a significant role in its development.
One of the earliest and most significant historical documents of Kazakhstan is the Charter of the Great Khanate of Kazakhstan, which was drafted in the 14th century. This document became the foundation for the formation of the state apparatus in the early Middle Ages. The Charter contained laws and rules regulating relations between various nomadic tribes, as well as norms for governance, rights, and responsibilities of princes and representatives of the people.
The Charter was an important step towards the centralization of power and ensuring order among numerous nomadic tribes. It also laid the groundwork for the development of the first elements of a legal system regulating both internal and external relations of the khanates of Kazakhstan.
Zhëti Jarğı is one of the most important historical documents of Kazakhstan, adopted in the 15th-16th centuries, and became the foundation of the legal system during the existence of the Kazakh Khanate. It represented a codex of laws that regulated the main aspects of Kazakh society, including norms in family relations, trade, military affairs, as well as rights and responsibilities of citizens.
The name "Zhëti Jarğı" translates to "Seven Edicts," and the document indeed contains seven main laws covering the most important areas of life for the Kazakh people. These laws also significantly influenced the further development of legal norms in Kazakhstan, taking into account the specifics of the nomadic lifestyle and social structure of that time. Zhëti Jarğı became the basis for the establishment of the judiciary in the country and was an important step towards a rule of law state.
One of the significant stages in the history of Kazakhstan was its annexation to the Russian Empire in the 18th-19th centuries. This process was accompanied by the signing of various treaties and agreements that regulated the legal status of Kazakh khanates and their relations with Russia.
The first important document that solidified the relationship between Kazakhstan and the Russian Empire was the Kazakh-Russian Treaty of 1731. This treaty laid the foundation for the formation of new political and territorial boundaries and opened the way for the complete integration of Kazakhstan into the Russian Empire. It defined the obligations of the Kazakhs to protect their lands and the duty to obey the Russian emperor.
The 1731 agreement also provided for the creation of Cossack troops, which were to maintain order in Kazakhstan, as well as the weakening of the autonomous powers of the Kazakh khanates. This treaty had a profound impact on the subsequent historical events and relations between Kazakhstan and Russia.
The Declaration of Independence of Kazakhstan, adopted on December 16, 1991, is one of the most significant documents in the modern history of the country. This document officially proclaimed the independence of Kazakhstan after the collapse of the Soviet Union and marked an essential milestone in the establishment of a sovereign state.
The declaration emphasized the aspiration of the people of Kazakhstan for freedom, independence, and national self-determination. It also included a statement about the cessation of all political and economic ties with the Soviet Union, as well as the proclamation of Kazakhstan as an independent, democratic, and legal republic. This document became the starting point for creating a new state structure, forming the Constitution and other essential laws aimed at developing an independent Kazakhstan.
The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, adopted on August 30, 1995, in a nationwide referendum, is the fundamental legal document that defines the foundations of the state structure and the rights of citizens in the new independent country. The Constitution enshrined the principles of democratic governance, the rule of law, human rights and freedoms, as well as a federal structure.
The Constitution also defines the powers of the president, parliament, and government, as well as establishes important principles and norms regarding the social, economic, and cultural life of society. The Constitution of Kazakhstan is the foundation for all further reforms in the political and legal spheres and serves as a guarantee of stability and security in the country.
After gaining independence, Kazakhstan actively participated in international life and sought to strengthen its position on the world stage. Important documents on this path included agreements and treaties related to Kazakhstan's accession to international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and others.
One of the landmark documents was Kazakhstan's accession to the UN in 1992. This event was recognized by the international community as a confirmation of Kazakhstan's independence and sovereignty. Subsequently, Kazakhstan signed a number of bilateral agreements and became an active participant in many international organizations, which contributed to improving its foreign economic and political positions.
The historical documents of Kazakhstan play an important role in understanding national identity and forming the legal basis of the modern state. From ancient charters and laws of the khanates to declarations of independence and the Constitution, these documents have become essential tools for regulating relationships both within the country and with the outside world. They reflect the history of Kazakhstan's establishment as an independent and sovereign state and serve as the foundation for its further development and strengthening on the international stage.