In November 1839 the Supreme Edict of the Rosehouse guaranteed the rights to all Ottoman citizens regardless of language, religion or ethnic group. It also recognized their freedom of religion and equality before the law. It ushered into a long period of modernization. This effort was the result of Russian pressure and, initially, met with the reaction of local authorities. When the Sultan and his government realized that ignoring the proclamation allowed foreign powers to intervene in the Ottoman Empire’s internal affairs, they issued the Hatt-ı Hümâyûnu (Imperial Rescript) of 1856 that forced all government representatives to abide by the decrees and implement the reforms.