-
Nov 13, 1533
Ivan the Terrible
Ivan was only 3 years old when he took over the throne this caused him to struggle for power among Russia's landowning nobles. When he was 16 he seized power and had himself crowned czar. -
Nov 13, 1547
The good years
The years from 1547-1560 are often called Ivan's "good period." He won great victories, added lands to Russia, gave Russia a code of laws, and ruled justly. -
Nov 13, 1560
Rule by Terror
Ivan's "bad period" began in 1560 after Anastasia died. Accusing the boyars of poisoning his wife, he turned against them. He built his new police force who's job was to hunt down and murder people who Ivan considered as traitors. The members of the police force wore black and rode black horses. -
Nov 13, 1581
The Violent Quarrel
Ivan killed his oldest son and heir. When Ivan died three years later, only his weak second son was left to rule. -
Rise of the Romanovs
Representatives from many Russian cities met to choose the next czar. Their choice was Michael Romanov, grandnephew of Ivan the Terrible's wife, Anastasia. This began the Romanov dynasty, which ruled Russia for 300 years (1613-1917). -
Peter Visits the West
People in the German quarter of Mascow were accustomed to seeing the young Peter striding through their neighborhood on his long legs. (Peter was more than 6 1/2 feet tall.) He was fascinated by the modern tools and machines in the foreigners' shops. -
Peter the Great
In 1696 Pater became sole ruler of Russia. He in known to history as Peter the Great, because he was one of Russia's greatest reformers. He also continued the trend of increasing the czar's power. -
Peter's Goals
Peter was 24 years old when he became the sole ruler of Russisa. Just one year later he embarked on the "Grand Embassay" a long visit to western Europe. One of Peter's goals was to learn about European customs and manufacturing techneques. -
Establishing St. Petersburg
In 1703, Peter began building a new city on Swedish lands occupied by Russian troops. -
Peter the Greats Success
Peter the Great successfully westernized and reformed the culture and government. By the time he died, Russia was a power to be reckoned with in Europe. Meanwhile, another great European power, England, had been developing a form of government that limited the power of absolute monarchs.
