Once the USSR was founded, they enacted socialism and communism. It repealed certain features of the Tsarist Law. Under communism, no distinction between public and private law existed. It introduced public ownership of the means of production. Here are some laws of the U.S.S.R.

Freedom of Speech

• Citizens could criticize the government and propose improvements
• The government was required to respond to Citizens proposals
• Prosecution for criticism was prohibited

Property Rights

• The government expropriated land, banks, insurance companies, and large factories
• House administrators were required to collect rents and delinquent tenants can be evicted

Family Law

• Initially, divorce became possible by unilateral declaration of husband or wife
• At the beginning, women were allowed to obtain abortions
• Under Stalin, divorce became more difficult and most abortions were outlawed

Travel

• Travel abroad required explicit permission from the government
•  People who campaign for their right to leave were known as refuseniks
• Refusing to return from abroad was treason, punishable by imprisonment or death

A painting of a man holding the Laws of the USSR which was made during the Revolution in 1917.