Abolition of Estates and Ranks
Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars, Decree on the Abolition of Social Estates and Civil Ranks. November 10, 1917
All classes and class divisions of citizens, class privileges and disabilities, class organizations and institutions which have until now existed in Russia, as well as all civil ranks, are abolished.
All designations (as merchant, nobleman, burgher, peasant, etc.), titles (as Prince, Count, etc.), and distinctions of civil ranks (Privy, State, and other Councilors), are abolished, and one common designation is established for all the population of Russia-citizen of the Russian Republic.
The properties of the noblemen's class institutions are hereby transferred to corresponding Zemstvo self-governing bodies.
The properties of merchants' and burghers' associations are hereby placed at the disposal of corresponding municipal bodies.
All class institutions, transactions, and archives are hereby transferred to the jurisdiction of corresponding municipal and Zemstvo bodies.
All corresponding clauses of the laws which have existed until now are abolished.
This decree becomes effective from the day of its publication, and is to be immediately put into effect, by the local Soviets of Workmen's, Soldiers', and Peasants' Deputies.
Source: Valentin Astrov, ed. An Illustrated History of the Russian Revolution (New York: International Publishers, 1928), Vol. II, p. 470.