Ivan the great early life
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They were: Anna, Feodor, Ivan, Maria, Eudoxia, and Dmitry. They were sent by Ivan who suspected a possible plot against him. Thus, Ivan opened the gate for future Russian Parliaments.
Ivan commissioned Moscow Print Yard. She was an unattractive woman who changed her name to Sofia after the marriage. He mercilessly beat his son’s pregnant wife; the beatings affected the pregnancy.
His blend of visionary leadership and ruthless cruelty shaped Russia in profound ways, leaving a legacy that echoes in history to this day.
For those interested in Russian history and monarchies, the History.com article on Ivan the Terrible provides valuable context and further reading.
FAQ
Q1: Why was Ivan IV called “the Terrible”?
The title “Terrible” is a translation of the Russian word Grozny, which means “formidable” or “fearsome,” reflecting his powerful and intimidating rule.
Q2: Did Ivan the Terrible kill his son?
Yes, in 1581, during a heated argument, Ivan struck his son, Ivan Ivanovich, resulting in his death — a tragic and defining moment of his reign.
Q3: What was the Oprichnina?
The Oprichnina was a state policy that divided Russia and allowed Ivan to rule part of it directly with his secret police, the Oprichniki, who suppressed dissent violently.
Q4: How did Ivan expand Russia?
Ivan conquered the Khanates of Kazan and Astrakhan, opening the way for Russian expansion into Siberia.
Q5: What is Ivan the Terrible’s legacy?
His legacy is mixed, combining the creation of a strong centralized Russian state with a reign marked by brutality and fear.
Q6: Is St.
Basil’s Cathedral connected to Ivan the Terrible?
Yes, Ivan commissioned the construction of St. Basil’s Cathedral to celebrate his military victories in Kazan.
Ivan the Terrible
1530–1584
Who Was Ivan the Terrible?
The grandson of Ivan the Great, Ivan the Terrible, or Ivan IV, acquired vast amounts of land during his long reign (1533-1584), an era marked by the conquest of the khanates of Kazan, Astrakhan and Siberia.
Ivan died in 1505 in Moscow. He had willed the kingdom to his unfit son, Feodor, whose rule spiraled Russia into the catastrophic Time of Troubles, leading to the establishment of the Romanov Dynasty.
When Ivan the Terrible died, he left the country in disarrary, with deep political and social scars.
The Crimean Tatars raided central Russia. The Polish and Lithuania Union held over the entire Ukraine and the north part of Oka district. On his father’s family side, their clan were members of Lithuanian Grand Duchy.
Ivan tasted power since his childhood. During this time Ivan was hidden in a monastery and then moved to a safer place but was soon taken over by his father’s captors.
He expanded Russian territory into Siberia, created a centrally controlled government, and reformed the legal system. He was not only recognized by other rulers but he was also the one who initiated the conquest to acquire Ukraine back from Poland and Lithuania. He laid the foundation for the Russian autocracy and expanded the nation’s boundaries, but his reign also instilled fear and instability.
History adds that he even knew how to kill people, while he was young.
Ivan the Terrible was extremely hot tempered
Ivan’s early loss of his parents made him a victim of maltreatment. He was just six years of age when in 1446, his father was captivated by his cousin and blinded. Trained very early in handling army and military strategies, he proved himself to be a successful leader.
The attack left the community with several thousands of deaths. There is very limited information on the beliefs he kept on the religious front.
Politics
Ivan III was a great ruler and he was one of the few leaders who put in efforts to create a federal and centralized state in Russia.