CATHERINE THE GREAT EMPRESS OF RUSSIA

 


Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, ended the tax on men with beards on sixth April 1772

Tsar Peter the Great imposed a beard tax to avoid backwardness, to Westernize Russia, and to make men appear in European fashion. Introduced in 1698, the tax required shaving the beards or paying annually. Courtiers and officials had to pay up to 600 rubles. Merchants up to 100, and commons fewer. Peasants were exempt or charged the least (1 kopek) when entering a city. The taxpayers received a beard token (silver for elites, copper for commons). They had to show them to avoid being forced to shave by the authorities. The tax served fiscal and cultural reform. The tax was abolished by Empress Catherine the Great on 6.4.1772.

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