Supreme commander-in-chief
The supreme commander-in-chief is the title of a person holding supreme commanding authority over the armed forces of a state, usually in wartime and sometimes in peacetime.
The supreme commander-in-chief is also vested with extraordinary power in relation to all civilian institutions and persons on the territory of a given state and the theater of military operations. As a rule, the head of state is the supreme commander-in-chief. For the first time, the corresponding English term was used by the king of England, Scotland and Ireland, Charles I. In some states of the British Commonwealth, this position is replaced by the governor-general.
Supreme commanders-in-chief in the history of Russia
The All-Russian Emperor, according to Article 14 of the Basic Laws of the Russian Empire, was the "sovereign leader" of the Russian Armed Forces, he possessed the supreme command over all land and naval armed forces of the Russian state and the exclusive right to issue decrees and orders "to everything generally related to the organization of the armed forces and defense of the Russian State", as well as the establishment of restrictions on the right of residence and the acquisition of real estate in the localities that make up the fortress areas and strongholds for the army and navy. The emperor declared areas of martial law or exceptional status.At the same time, the legislation of the Russian Empire allowed the existence of this position as separate from the position of the head of state. Thus, the provision on field command and control of troops in wartime provided that "The supreme command over all land and naval forces intended for military operations shall be entrusted to the supreme commander-in-chief, if the sovereign does not deign to lead the troops personally", such was appointed "by direct the election of the sovereign " by the highest order and decree of the Senate. The supreme commander-in-chief was defined as "the supreme commander of all land and naval armed forces intended for military action", was responsible only to the Emperor and was subordinate only to him. In the theater of operations, his orders had the same force as the Imperial commands. The commander-in-chief of the Russian Armed Forces could, "if military circumstances have it", conclude and terminate an armistice with the enemy, immediately informing the Emperor about it, but if the armistice or its termination does not seem "urgently necessary", then he should have obtained the Emperor's consent before his conclusion and termination, but he could not enter into peace negotiations without a special order from the Emperor.
For the first time in Russian history, this position was replaced on July 20, 1914. Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich Junior was appointed to it.
During the First World War
During the First World War, this position was held by:- Adjutant General, General of the Cavalry, Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich ;
- Emperor Nicholas II ;
- Adjutant General, General of the Cavalry, Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich ;
- Infantry General Mikhail Alekseev ;
- Cavalry General Alexei Brusilov ;
- Infantry General Lavr Kornilov ;
- Minister-Chairman of the Provisional Government Alexander Kerensky ;
- Lieutenant general Nikolay Dukhonin ;
- Ensign Nikolai Krylenko.
In accordance with the governing documents of that period, the supreme commander-in-chief controlled only the active army and navy.
During the Civil War
Supreme Commanders-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Soviet Russia
- Joachim Vatsetis ;
- Sergey Kamenev. From August 28, 1923 – Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union.
Supreme Commanders-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian State
- Lieutenant general Vasily Boldyrev.
- Admiral Alexander Kolchak.
Soviet Union
In the Soviet Union on August 8, 1941, during the Great Patriotic War, Joseph Stalin was appointed the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union. Joseph Stalin continued to hold this position in peacetime.In 1955–1990, the Chairman of the Defense Council of the Soviet Union was unofficially called the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. The officeholders were always the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
By the Law of the Soviet Union, dated March 14, 1990, No. 1360–I, Chapter 15.1 "President of the Soviet Union" was introduced into the Constitution of the Soviet Union and, in accordance with it, the President of the Soviet Union was the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union.
On March 15, 1990, Mikhail Gorbachev was elected first President of the Soviet Union, who became the supreme commander-in-chief for the highest office in the Union.
On December 25, 1991, the President of the Soviet Union issued Presidential Decree No. 3162 "On the Resignation by the President of the Soviet Union of the Powers of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union and the Abolition of the Defense Council Under the President of the Soviet Union", which stated "In connection with the resignation I resign from the post of President of the Soviet Union the powers of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union".
Russia
In Russia, in accordance with Article 87 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the President of the Russian Federation is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.On May 7, 1992, the President of the Russian Federation Boris Yeltsin issued Decree No. 467 "On Assuming the Office of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation". The powers of the President as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief are enshrined in the Law of the Russian Federation No. 4061–I "On Amendments and Additions to the Constitution of the Russian Federation – Russia" dated December 9, 1992, which entered into force from the moment of publication in the "Rossiyskaya Gazeta" on January 12, 1993. On December 25, 1993, the Constitution of the Russian Federation came into force, which confirmed the status of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief for the President of the Russian Federation.
- Boris Yeltsin ;
- *Viktor Chernomyrdin ;
- Vladimir Putin ;
- Dmitry Medvedev.
Saudi Arabia
Azerbaijan
The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces is the President of Azerbaijan.India
The Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces is the President of India.Iran
In accordance with Article 110 of the Constitution of Iran, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Country is the Supreme Leader of Iran, who has practically unlimited powers in all military and military–political issues.He has the power to declare war, peace and general mobilization. He carries out the appointment, removal and acceptance of the resignation of the highest military leaders.
The Supreme Council of National Security is subordinate to him.
Imperial Japan
By "Draft Ordinance No. 142" of the Constitution of the Empire of Japan of 30 September 1889, the Emperor of Japan was officially granted the rank of Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy and empowered with supreme command over the Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy.This title formally became obsolete in 1947 when a new democratic constitution took effect and the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces were abolished.