Ivan the Terrible's Rule

Ivan is born.

Aug 25, 1530

Born near Moscow Russia

Ivan the Terrible's Life and Reign

Period: Aug 25, 1530 to Mar 28, 1584

Ivan the Terrible was born August 25, 1530,
and reigned as tsar of Russia until his death from 16 January 1547 to 28 March 1584.

Ivan Takes Power

Jun 27, 1533

At the age of 3 Ivan the Terrible becomes the grand prince of Russia when his father dies. His mother rules for him and makes choices for him.

Ivan's Mother Dies

Mar 3, 1538

Ivan's mother who had been ruling in Ivan's name dies allegedly by poisoning. Now, both of his parents had died which began a period of struggle for power between factions of nobles like boyars for power. Ivan was to young to rule so whomever controlled Ivan controlled Russia. The fight for reins of power and allegedly killing him Ivan's mom lead boyars to be hated by Ivan the Terrible.

Ivan becomes Tsar

Jan 16, 1547

Ivan becomes the first tsar of Russia after he self proclaims himself as one. Tsar was derived from Greek Caesar or translated as Emperor at the time. This was done to limit the power of princes and boyars who held Russian estates.

Russia Established Christian State

Aug 29, 1550

Ivan's government embarks on program of reforms canonizing Russian saints and giving it Orthodoxy. Russian military service was also changed appointing commanders on ability rather than nobility. These reforms were put into place to further limit hereditary power of princes and boyars.

The Livonian War

Period: Jun 2, 1558 to Jan 15, 1582

Ivan campaigned to force an exit from Russia to the sea. This would allow them to get into trade with Europe more effectively. However, fighting against Livonia, Lithuania, Sweden, and the Crimean Tatars caused Russia to lose the 24 year long war. Russia also lost land on the Gulf of Finland and gains in Livonia.

Ivans First Wife Dies

Feb 19, 1560

Ivan the Terrible's first wife Anastasiya died after Ivan begins limiting power of the Boyars through reforms. He believed that his wifes death was caused by the Boyars causing him to further dislike them,

The Oprichnina

Oct 6, 1565

After the defection of a outstanding field commander (Andrey Kurbsky) who supported the "traitorous" boyars, Ivan began a series of executions to deal with traitors. Ivan formed a 6,000 men bodyguard known as the oprichniki that killed boyars and thousands of people related to them.

Moscow is Burnt

Apr 18, 1571

During the Livonian War, the Crimean Tatars made an incursion in Russia when Russia was fighting being landlocked. They burnt Moscow only leaving Kremlin standing.

Oprichnina Abolished

Dec 22, 1572

After failing to defend Moscow from the Crimean Tatars, The Oprichnina which was mostly only used for executions when it was active became abolished. The Oprichnina time period left doubt on peoples confidence of Ivan's ability to rule.

Ivan Murders Son

Aug 14, 1581

Ivan murders his only viable heir to the throne in a fit of rage. Lead to political crisis after his death when their was again a power struggle with no heir to the throne.

Russian Armistice

May 18, 1583

Ivan asks the Pope to intervene with Poland bringing the war to Russia and is forced to surrender. In an Armistice with Sweden Russia had to give up towns on the Gulf of Finland. This ends the Livonian War and was fruitless for Russia.

Ivan Dies/Loses Power

Mar 18, 1584

Ivan the Terrible died as the tsar and grand prince of Russia, he also had died without a viable heir leaving the boyars to compete over power again. Ivan was believed to have died setting up chess board and there is also a lot of controversy surrounding the idea that he was assassinated.