history Belarus has more than one thousand years, it is an important component of Slavic, European civilization.As part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the country has mastered the achievements of Western culture.On the territory of Belarus to develop common standards for the European political and legal life.In particular, great importance was the organization of local self-government.
In the Middle Ages in the major part of the inhabitants of the settlements was multinational.It certainly contributed to the development of cultural relations.In the 13-14 centuries in the towns of Belarus to settle a lot of foreigners, especially Germans.For example, in Polotsk was Hanseatic factors.Grodno and Brest had a lot of merchants and craftsmen from Germany.The Germans, forming freestyle community, exercised their right of Magdeburg.It gave them more benefits than were other citizens.
To help develop large settlements in the area of trade and crafts, as well as to attract new residents, Magdeburg Law was distributed to all the princes of the largest settlements.At the same time the middle class attracted by the new rules.Municipal right freed from the control of the court and the grand administration or from the land owner.
first city received a letter, Vilna became (in 1387).After Magdeburg right was enshrined in the Grodno and Brest.By the 15th century, gained certificates such cities of Belarus, both Minsk, Polotsk, Slutsk.
Oriental lands received Magdeburg rights much later than the Western.Historians attribute this to the highly developed system of parish and veche Pridvin`e and systems in the Dnieper.Here ancient territorial centers, especially in Vitebsk, Polotsk and Smolensk, kept in touch with parishes for an extended period.
In the early 16th century, urban community and rural system in the eastern part of Belarus began to disintegrate.So, in Polotsk boyars began to refuse service obligations.Social struggle began.In this situation, the authorities of large settlements themselves sought a charter of self-government.
German law took where were interested in it, mainly social forces.
After receiving letters settlements began to develop under the new conditions.However, virtually no one gave assurances that the mayor and the governors will not interfere in the life of the city.
Instruments philistines allowed to engage in free trade in the country.At the same time they are exempt from customs fees.In addition, at their disposal passed a significant area around the village.The Philistines also received the right to enter into private forests and water for firewood, grazing, fishing, hunting.In Magdeburg Privilege (law) they were allowed to collect profits from the shops and stores, to build public buildings, and in some cases even castles.
in major population centers, located on important trade roads were built Gostiny Dvor for foreign merchants.
This duty cities endowed with diplomas were not very extensive.The Philistines had to pay taxes to the state treasury, including ordynschinu and serebschinu (charges for military purposes) when they were imposed on the state.Thus, residents of large cities, endowed Magdeburg generally considered a special privileged layer in the medieval Belarus.
Diplomas almost completely removed from the settlements, both financial and legal dependence on the Grand Duke's power.
with administrative and legal point of view of German law clearly separates the village and the city.The new system is quite naturally entered the lives of the people of Belarus.
German law was abolished by order of Catherine II.
