Era of Peter the Great and the development of the institute of amanats in the Far East and North Pacific

Abstract

Aim. Analytical study of the genesis of the institute of amanatism (political hostage-taking) and its development in Peter the Great’s era.

Methodology. The article applied the principles of objectivity, dialectics, scientificity and historicism, analysis and synthesis. To reveal the topic, general scientific methods were used, as well as historical-legal, problem-chronological, systemic, and comparative-historical methods of research.

Results. Amanatism is an ancient legal institution based on the norms of customary law and rather widespread. In the era of Peter the Great, the institute of amanatism finally took shape and proceeded to be efficiently used in the exploration of the Far East and the North Pacific Ocean. Representatives of the tribal elite were mainly used as amanats. Many of them actively absorbed Russian culture, language, traditions, some became translators, guides and even priests.

Research implications. The data obtained can be of practical importance in building policies in relation to the indigenous population, and can also be useful in studying a wide range of questions on the history of Asia-Pacific countries.